Job 34

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:4

Let us choose to us judgment ; i.e. "Let us seek to come to a right conclusion ( mishphat ) on each subject that comes before us for consideration." Let us know among ourselves that which is good . "Let us know, discern, and recognize that which is right and good." Excellent sentiments, but somewhat pompously put forth by a young man addressing elder ones. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:5

For Job hath said, I am righteous . Job had maintained his "righteousness" in a certain sense, i.e. his integrity, his honesty, his conviction that God would ultimately acquit him; but he had not maintained his sinlessness (see the comment on Job 33:9 ). He had not even said, in so many words, "I am righteous." The nearest that he had come to saying it was when (in Job 13:18 ) he had exclaimed, "I know that I shall be held righteous," or "justified." And God hath taken away my... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:6

Should I lie against my right? This was an essential portion of Job's argument (see Job 27:4 ). Against the theory of his secret heinous wickedness put forward by his "comforters," he maintained consistently his freedom from conscious deliberate opposition to the will of God, and refused to make the confessions which they suggested or required, on the ground that they would have been untrue—in making them he would have "lied against his right." In this certainly Job "sinned not." But it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:7

What man is like Job, who drinketh up scorning like water? This comment is not only unnecessary, but unfair. It was not for Elihu, who professed a desire to "justify" (or completely exonerate) Job, to aggravate his guilt by means of rhetorical comment; and the comment itself was unfair, for Job had not indulged in scorn to any extent, much less "drunk it up like water" (comp. Job 15:16 ). He had in no respect scorned God; and if he had occasionally poured some scorn upon his "comforters" (... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:8

Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquity . It is impossible to supply any other antecedent to "which" than Job himself. Elihu therefore accuses Job of having turned aside from righteousness, and betaken himself to the "counsel of the ungodly, the way of sinners, and the seat of the scornful" ( Psalms 1:1 ). This is grossly to exaggerate Job's faults of temper, and puts Elihu very nearly on a level with Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar in respect of misconception and rudeness. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:9

For he hath said, It profiteth a man nothing that he should delight himself with God . Again it must be remarked that Job had not said this. The nearest approach to it is to be found in Job 9:22 , where this passage occurs: "It is all one; therefore I say, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked" (Revised Version). Elsewhere Job speaks, not generally, but of his own individual case, remarking that his righteousness has not saved him from calamity ( Job 9:17 , Job 9:18 ; Job 10:15 ; ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding (comp. Job 34:2 ). Elihu repeats himself, wishing to call special attention to his justification of God ( Job 34:10-30 ). Far be it from God, that he should do wickedness. Elihu probably means that to do wickedness is contrary to the very nature and idea of God; but he does not express himself very clearly. And from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. An evil God, a God who can do wrong, is a contradiction in terms—an... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

The righteousness of the Divine dealings. Elihu's words continue. His accusation against Job is that he saith, "I am righteous." He "addeth rebellion unto his sin" (verse 37). And in his own self-justification he casts a shadow upon the Divine procedure. "He multiplieth his words against God ' (verse 37). Such is Elihu's contention. He says Job declares," God hath taken away my judgment." To defend the Divine work and so bring Job to acknowledge his sin is the purpose of Elihu. He here... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

The certain justice of God. Job appeared to have arraigned the Divine justice. Elihu emphatically asserts its absolute perfection. Whatever else we may fail to see, one landmark must not be lost sight of. God is perfectly free from all evil. We may not understand his ways of action, but most assuredly he is acting justly. I. THE GROUNDS OF FAITH IN THE CERTAIN JUSTICE OF GOD . Why can we thus dogmatically assert that God is perfectly just? Notice three grounds of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:11

For the work of a man shall he render unto him . God "rewardeth every man according to his work" (Ps 62:13), renders to each one good or evil, according as his own deeds have been the one or the other. But this must be understood of the man's whole conduct, and God's entire treatment of him. Such an absolute rectitude of God's moral government, considered as a whole, is implied and involved in his absolute and perfect justice. And cause every man to find according to his ways . We... read more

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:5

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:6

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:7

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:8

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:9

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:10

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 34:11

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