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Job 34

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‹ Chapter 33 Job — All Chapters Chapter 35 ›

1 Then Elihu continued: 2 “Hear my words, O wise men; give ear to me, O men of learning. 3 For the ear tests words as the mouth tastes food. 4 Let us choose for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. 5 For Job has declared, ‘I am righteous, yet God has deprived me of justice. 6 Would I lie about my case? My wound is incurable, though I am without transgression.’ 7 What man is like Job, who drinks up derision like water? 8 He keeps company with evildoers and walks with wicked men. 9 For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight in God.’ 10 Therefore listen to me, O men of understanding. Far be it from God to do wrong, and from the Almighty to act unjustly. 11 For according to a man’s deeds He repays him; according to a man’s ways He brings consequences. 12 Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. 13 Who gave Him charge over the earth? Who appointed Him over the whole world? 14 If He were to set His heart to it and withdraw His Spirit and breath, 15 all flesh would perish together and mankind would return to the dust. 16 If you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. 17 Could one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One, 18 who says to kings, ‘You are worthless!’ and to nobles, ‘You are wicked,’ 19 who is not partial to princes and does not favor rich over poor? For they are all the work of His hands. 20 They die in an instant, in the middle of the night. The people convulse and pass away; the mighty are removed without human hand. 21 For His eyes are on the ways of a man, and He sees his every step. 22 There is no darkness or deep shadow where the workers of iniquity can hide. 23 For God need not examine a man further or have him approach for judgment. 24 He shatters the mighty without inquiry and sets up others in their place. 25 Therefore, He recognizes their deeds; He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. 26 He strikes them for their wickedness in full view, 27 because they turned aside from Him and had no regard for any of His ways. 28 They caused the cry of the poor to come before Him, and He heard the outcry of the afflicted. 29 But when He remains silent, who can condemn Him? When He hides His face, who can see Him? Yet He watches over both man and nation, 30 that godless men should not rule or lay snares for the people. 31 Suppose someone says to God, ‘I have endured my punishment; I will offend no more. 32 Teach me what I cannot see; if I have done wrong, I will not do it again.’ 33 Should God repay you on your own terms when you have disavowed His? You must choose, not I; so tell me what you know. 34 Men of understanding will declare to me, and the wise men who hear me will say: 35 ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words lack insight.’ 36 If only Job were tried to the utmost for answering like a wicked man. 37 For he adds rebellion to his sin; he claps his hands among us and multiplies his words against God."

‹ Chapter 33 Job — All Chapters Chapter 35 ›

Study Notes — Job 34

Show Verse Quote Highlights

Chapter Summary

In Job 34, Elihu continues his discourse, addressing Job's friends and criticizing their approach to the situation. He argues that they have not provided a satisfactory answer to Job's questions and that their words have been empty and lacking in substance. Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power and wisdom. He also highlights the need for Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice. Key verses include Job 34:10, where Elihu states that God is just and will not pervert justice, and Job 34:33, where he asks Job if he should be taught or if he should be the one teaching.

Context for the Chapter

This chapter is part of the book of Job, which is a wisdom literature book that explores the themes of suffering, justice, and the nature of God. The book of Job is set in the context of the ancient Near East, where the concept of justice and the role of God in human affairs were deeply debated. This chapter fits into the larger narrative of the book, as Elihu's discourse serves as a bridge between the speeches of Job's friends and the final speech of God.

Heart Application

As we consider Elihu's words, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's justice and wisdom. We are encouraged to be humble in the face of God's power and to be open to His correction. We can apply this to our lives by trusting in God's sovereignty and being willing to learn from His Word.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter is about Elihu's response to Job's friends, where he rebukes them for their lack of understanding and encourages Job to trust in God's justice. Elihu argues that God is just and will not pervert justice, and that we should be humble in the face of His power. As we consider Elihu's words, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and being willing to learn from His Word, as seen in Job 34:10.

Voices from the Church

“The justice of God is a theme that is woven throughout the Bible, and it is a reminder of His holiness and righteousness.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The wisdom of God is not always understandable to humans, but we can trust in His justice and goodness.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

  1. Introduction to Elihu's Discourse (Job 34:1-9) — Elihu introduces his discourse, addressing Job's friends and criticizing their approach. He argues that they have not provided a satisfactory answer to Job's questions.
  2. The Justice of God (Job 34:10-17) — Elihu emphasizes the justice of God, arguing that He will not pervert justice and that His ways are not always understandable to humans.
  3. The Importance of Humility (Job 34:18-30) — Elihu encourages Job to be humble in the face of God's power and to trust in His justice. He argues that God is not partial to the rich or the poor, but that He is just and fair.
  4. The Need for Correction (Job 34:31-33) — Elihu highlights the importance of being open to God's correction and trusting in His justice. He encourages Job to be willing to learn from God's Word and to trust in His sovereignty.
  5. Conclusion (Job 34:34-37) — Elihu concludes his discourse, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's justice and wisdom. He encourages Job to be humble and to trust in God's sovereignty.

Core Doctrines

The Justice of God
This chapter teaches that God is just and will not pervert justice. This doctrine is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible.
The Importance of Humility
Elihu emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of God's power. This doctrine is also central to the Christian faith and is emphasized in various passages throughout the Bible.
The Sovereignty of God
This chapter teaches that God is sovereign and that His ways are not always understandable to humans. This doctrine is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible.
The Importance of Trusting in God
Elihu encourages Job to trust in God's justice and sovereignty. This doctrine is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized in various passages throughout the Bible.

Lessons from Job 34

  1. The Importance of Trusting in God's Justice — This chapter teaches us the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty. We can apply this to our lives by trusting in God's goodness and righteousness.
  2. The Need for Humility — Elihu emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of God's power. We can apply this to our lives by cultivating humility and recognizing our limitations.
  3. The Sovereignty of God — This chapter teaches us that God is sovereign and that His ways are not always understandable to humans. We can apply this to our lives by trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.
  4. The Importance of Being Open to Correction — Elihu highlights the importance of being open to God's correction and trusting in His justice. We can apply this to our lives by being willing to learn from God's Word and to trust in His sovereignty.
  5. The Centrality of God's Justice — This chapter emphasizes the centrality of God's justice to our understanding of Him. We can apply this to our lives by recognizing the importance of God's justice and righteousness.

Themes from Job 34

  1. The Justice of God — This chapter emphasizes the justice of God and the importance of trusting in His sovereignty. This theme is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible.
  2. The Importance of Humility — Elihu emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of God's power. This theme is also central to the Christian faith and is emphasized in various passages throughout the Bible.
  3. The Sovereignty of God — This chapter teaches that God is sovereign and that His ways are not always understandable to humans. This theme is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible.
  4. The Importance of Trusting in God — Elihu encourages Job to trust in God's justice and sovereignty. This theme is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized in various passages throughout the Bible.
  5. The Centrality of God's Justice — This chapter emphasizes the centrality of God's justice to our understanding of Him. This theme is central to the Christian faith and is emphasized throughout the Bible.

Questions for Meditation

  1. What does Elihu mean by 'the justice of God', and how does this concept relate to our lives?
  2. How can we cultivate humility in the face of God's power, and what are the benefits of doing so?
  3. What does it mean to trust in God's sovereignty, and how can we apply this to our lives?
  4. How does Elihu's discourse relate to the larger narrative of the book of Job, and what insights can we gain from this context?
  5. What are some ways that we can apply the principles of justice, humility, and trust to our relationships with others?

Detailed Chapter Outline

1. Introduction to Elihu's Discourse (Job 34:1-9)

34:1 Elihu introduces his discourse, addressing Job's friends and criticizing their approach.
34:2 Elihu argues that they have not provided a satisfactory answer to Job's questions.
34:3 Elihu emphasizes the importance of listening to God and being open to His correction.
34:4 Elihu encourages Job to consider his words and to trust in God's justice.
34:5 Elihu argues that Job has spoken wrongly and that his words have been empty and lacking in substance.
34:6 Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power.
34:7 Elihu argues that God is not partial to the rich or the poor, but that He is just and fair.
34:8 Elihu encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.
34:9 Elihu concludes his introduction, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty.

2. The Justice of God (Job 34:10-17)

34:10 Elihu emphasizes the justice of God, arguing that He will not pervert justice and that His ways are not always understandable to humans.
34:11 Elihu argues that God will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.
34:12 Elihu emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
34:13 Elihu argues that God is not responsible for the suffering of the righteous, but that it is a result of human sin.
34:14 Elihu encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.
34:15 Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power.
34:16 Elihu argues that God is not partial to the rich or the poor, but that He is just and fair.
34:17 Elihu concludes his discussion of God's justice, emphasizing the importance of trusting in His sovereignty.

3. The Importance of Humility (Job 34:18-30)

34:18 Elihu encourages Job to be humble in the face of God's power and to trust in His justice.
34:19 Elihu argues that God is not partial to the rich or the poor, but that He is just and fair.
34:20 Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power.
34:21 Elihu encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.
34:22 Elihu argues that God is not responsible for the suffering of the righteous, but that it is a result of human sin.
34:23 Elihu emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.
34:24 Elihu encourages Job to be humble and to trust in God's justice.
34:25 Elihu argues that God is just and fair, and that He will reward the righteous and punish the wicked.
34:26 Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power.
34:27 Elihu encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.
34:28 Elihu argues that God is not partial to the rich or the poor, but that He is just and fair.
34:29 Elihu emphasizes the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.
34:30 Elihu concludes his discussion of humility, emphasizing the importance of being open to God's correction and trusting in His justice.

4. The Need for Correction (Job 34:31-33)

34:31 Elihu highlights the importance of being open to God's correction and trusting in His justice.
34:32 Elihu encourages Job to be humble and to trust in God's sovereignty.
34:33 Elihu asks Job if he should be taught or if he should be the one teaching, emphasizing the importance of being open to God's correction and trusting in His justice.

5. Conclusion (Job 34:34-37)

34:34 Elihu concludes his discourse, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
34:35 Elihu argues that Job has spoken wrongly and that his words have been empty and lacking in substance.
34:36 Elihu encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.
34:37 Elihu concludes his discourse, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the main point of Elihu's discourse in Job 34?

The main point of Elihu's discourse is to emphasize the justice of God and the importance of trusting in His sovereignty, as seen in Job 34:10-17.

How does Elihu's discourse relate to the larger narrative of the book of Job?

Elihu's discourse serves as a bridge between the speeches of Job's friends and the final speech of God, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.

What are some key themes in Job 34?

Some key themes in Job 34 include the justice of God, the importance of humility, and the sovereignty of God, as seen in Job 34:10-17 and Job 34:18-30.

Top Cross References

ReferenceConnection
1 Job 34:10 → Psalm 92:15 Both Job 34:10 and Psalm 92:15 emphasize the justice of God and the importance of trusting in His sovereignty.
2 Job 34:11 → Proverbs 24:12 Both Job 34:11 and Proverbs 24:12 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
3 Job 34:12 → Isaiah 45:21 Both Job 34:12 and Isaiah 45:21 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.
4 Job 34:13 → Jeremiah 32:19 Both Job 34:13 and Jeremiah 32:19 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
5 Job 34:14 → Matthew 25:31-46 Both Job 34:14 and Matthew 25:31-46 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
6 Job 34:15 → Romans 9:14-24 Both Job 34:15 and Romans 9:14-24 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom.
7 Job 34:16 → 1 Peter 1:17 Both Job 34:16 and 1 Peter 1:17 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
8 Job 34:17 → Revelation 20:11-15 Both Job 34:17 and Revelation 20:11-15 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.
9 Job 34:18 → Psalm 51:17 Both Job 34:18 and Psalm 51:17 emphasize the importance of humility and trusting in God's sovereignty.
10 Job 34:19 → Acts 10:34-35 Both Job 34:19 and Acts 10:34-35 emphasize the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty.

Sermons on Job 34

SermonDescription
Art Katz The God Who Devastates by Art Katz In this sermon, the speaker begins by urging the audience to humble themselves before God and seek His guidance. He mentions that his books, available in the foyer, are more compre
Norman Grubb Job, 1975 Part 2 by Norman Grubb In this sermon, the preacher discusses various aspects of God's creation, focusing on animals such as hawks, peacocks, and unicorns. The preacher emphasizes God's power and wisdom
Bill McLeod Growth Follows Revival by Bill McLeod In this sermon, B. Earl shares a personal story about his struggles as an evangelist. He describes how he prepared tough and hard-hitting sermons in an attempt to reach stubborn pe
Ed Miller Job #3: The 4th Friend by Ed Miller In this sermon, the speaker begins by emphasizing the importance of relying on the Holy Spirit when studying the Bible. He then introduces the character of Elihu in the book of Job
W.F. Anderson Distress of Job - Part 2 by W.F. Anderson The video is a sermon on the book of Job in the Bible. It begins by describing the structure of the book, with a prologue and three cycles of speeches between Job and his friends.
Mike Bickle Jesus' Eyes of Fire, Part 2 by Mike Bickle Mike Bickle emphasizes the significance of Jesus' 'eyes of fire' in Revelation, which symbolize His omniscience, passionate desire, and ability to purify and judge. He explains tha
A.B. Simpson Even Christ Pleased Not Himself by A.B. Simpson The preacher delves into the concept of Sabbath rest, explaining that it signifies a period of rest for God's people modeled after the traditional Sabbath, but not limited to a spe
A.W. Pink The Doctrine of Justification 9. Its Evidence by A.W. Pink A.W. Pink explores the doctrine of justification, emphasizing the apparent contradiction between Paul's assertion that justification is by faith alone and James' claim that works a
F.B. Meyer He Giveth Quietness. by F.B. Meyer F.B. Meyer preaches on the theme 'He Giveth Quietness,' emphasizing that God provides peace amidst the accusations of Satan, the storms of life, and the loss of inward consolations
Miles J. Stanford Passive Resistance by Miles J. Stanford Miles J. Stanford emphasizes the freedom from condemnation for those in Christ Jesus, highlighting the importance of realizing our secure position in Him to overcome the enemy's ha

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Job 34

In Job 34, Elihu continues his discourse, addressing Job's friends and criticizing their approach. He argues that they have not provided a satisfactory answer to Job's questions and that their words have been empty and lacking in substance. Elihu emphasizes the importance of fearing God and being humble in the face of His power, and he encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice. As we consider Elihu's words, we are reminded of the importance of trusting in God's sovereignty and recognizing His power and wisdom. We are also encouraged to be humble and to trust in God's justice, as seen in Job 34:10-17. Ultimately, Elihu's discourse serves as a bridge between the speeches of Job's friends and the final speech of God, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's justice and sovereignty. Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?

Elihu's Tone

Elihu's tone is one of rebuke and correction, as he addresses Job's friends and criticizes their approach. He is firm but respectful, emphasizing the importance of trusting in God's justice.

The Importance of Humility

Elihu emphasizes the importance of humility in the face of God's power and wisdom. He encourages Job to be open to God's correction and to trust in His justice.

The Theme of Justice

The theme of justice is central to this chapter, as Elihu argues that God is just and will not pervert justice. This theme is reminiscent of Christ's teachings in the New Testament.

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