Elihu's Words (IX)

Elihu next says:

“Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: Far be it from God to do wickedness, And from the Almighty to commit iniquity. For He repays man according to his work, And makes man to find a reward according to his way. Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice. Who gave Him charge over the earth? Or who appointed Him over the whole world? If He should set His heart on it, If He should gather to Himself His Spirit and His breath, All flesh would perish together, And man would return to dust."  (Job 34: 10-15)

Who disagrees with this? Who affirms that God does wickedness? Or that he commits iniquity? That he perverts justice? That he is unrighteous? Not Job. Not even the three previous speakers, Job's senior friends. However, they all accused Job of affirming that God acts wickedly, and perverts justice, and of denying God's sovereignty. But, it was a baseless accusation which had not been proven by the facts or by any evidence presented by his accusers. It was a false accusation. Ironically it is they who "falsely accused" the godly life that characterized God's servant Job. (I Peter 3: 16) Since Job never affirmed what he was accused of saying in his dialogues with his friends, Elihu's assumption that it had actually been said becomes a "straw man" argument. Further, Job never denied God's sovereignty.

When Elihu says that God "repays man according to his work" he finally presents his counter thesis to that asserted by Job. That God repays man according to his work is a true statement, but Elihu's error is in his assuming that such repaying and rewarding of both good and evil occurs in this life, rather than in the afterlife or in eternity. Concerning that error we have already shown to be false. 

Elihu next says:

 “If you have understanding, hear this; Listen to the sound of my words: Should one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn Him who is most just? Is it fitting to say to a king, ‘You are worthless,’ And to nobles, ‘You are wicked’?" Yet He is not partial to princes, Nor does He regard the rich more than the poor; For they are all the work of His hands. In a moment they die, in the middle of the night; The people are shaken and pass away; The mighty are taken away without a hand." (Job 34: 16-20)

Here Elihu accuses Job of being arrogant towards God, of being disrespectful. Also, Job never condemned God as Elihu charges. Job never said to God - "you are wicked and worthless." More instance of creating "straw men."

Further, he contradicts himself when he says that God "regards not the rich more than the poor." This is because he has already affirmed that wealth is a sign of God's favor, of righteousness. 

Elihu next says:

“For His eyes are on the ways of man, And He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death Where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." 

Does Job not know and confess these basic truths? How is this fact relevant to the case of Job? Did Job think that he was able to hide anything from God? No, it was all misrepresentation, fabrication. And this is the man who is inspired to speak for God? The irony is surely apparent to all, just as it was intended. Since Elihu slanders Job, falsely accuses Job, he is more a spokesman for Satan rather than God.

Elihu next says:

"For He need not further consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment. He breaks in pieces mighty men without inquiry, And sets others in their place. Therefore He knows their works; He overthrows them in the night, And they are crushed. He strikes them as wicked men In the open sight of others, Because they turned back from Him, And would not consider any of His ways, So that they caused the cry of the poor to come to Him; For He hears the cry of the afflicted." (Job 34: 21-28)

Here, as many commentators affirm, Elihu says that Job is wrong to put God on trial by his "oath of innocence." He was wrong to question (inquire) God or call him to give account. He was wrong to ask God "why." God does not owe Job an explanation. Of course, Job did not demand that God give him an explanation, but he did earnestly beseech him for one. Job's question of "why" he is suffering is in order that he might know if it is indeed for some hidden sin of which he is unaware. Yes, it was also so that he might know the good reasons behind God's providence over his life, but he maintained his allegiance to God even though he had no answer. Such is the plight of God's people in general.

The idea that wicked men get their due in this life in proportion to their sins is not the biblical position, nor the position of the prophet Job, although it was the position of Elihu and the three senior friends of Job. God does not regularly "strike men dead" when they do very evil things. In some cases he has done this, but this is the exception to the rule. Some of the most wicked of men have lived to be old men and were not struck dead by God. 

Elihu next says:

"When He gives quietness, who then can make trouble? And when He hides His face, who then can see Him, Whether it is against a nation or a man alone?— That the hypocrite should not reign, Lest the people be ensnared. “For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne chastening; I will offend no more; Teach me what I do not see; If I have done iniquity, I will do no more’? Should He repay it according to your terms, Just because you disavow it? You must choose, and not I; Therefore speak what you know." (Job 34: 29-33)

Elihu believes that God's providence over the world and humankind ensures that wicked men do not come to power, that the hypocrite do not rule, in this life. That is an error. His remarks about repentance being the result of God's chastisements, that it is not strictly punitive or vengeful, shows that he believes that sufferings may be sent only to condemn in some cases, but in other cases may be corrective and disciplinary as well. He will not allow, however, that the innocent ever suffer.

Elihu insinuates that Job sought to force God to forgive and deliver him on Job's terms and conditions. But, again, this is a total misrepresentation of Job's words. 

Elihu next says:

“Men of understanding say to me, Wise men who listen to me: ‘Job speaks without knowledge, His words are without wisdom.’  Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost, Because his answers are like those of wicked men! For he adds rebellion to his sin; He claps his hands among us, And multiplies his words against God.” (Job 34: 34-37)

In these words Elihu says that he ought to be heeded and agreed with because 1) his opinion is the opinion of the learned men (consensus view), and 2) wise men listen to me. Here Elihu says he ought to be believed because of his credentials, because of his character and ethos.

The consensus (verdict) was "Job speaks without knowledge and his words are unwise." This is, sadly, also the view of many commentators on Job. Was Job perfect in his knowledge? Did he not have need of further learning? Yes. What he had said had God's full approval. Yes, God does show up and ask "who is this that darkens counsel with words without knowledge?" (38: 2) But, it is doubtful that this was said to Job alone, doubtless it was said to all who had accused Job of speaking ignorantly. 

Elihu says "Oh, that Job were tried to the utmost." Ironically, he was being tried to the utmost! Even Job realized that he was being tried by God. (23: 10) Doubtless Elihu wishes that Job might be "tried," that is, be "tried and convicted." Elihu believes that Job is adding to his sin by what he has been blasphemously saying and that he can expect even greater sufferings (as if they couldn't get any worse). He again falsely accuses God's servant, saying that he "answers like those of wicked men" and "adds rebellion to his sin." He says Job "multiplies his words against God." Here is a man who cannot properly represent what Job has said and yet he wants to represent God! More irony. He misinterprets Job's case, and Job's words, and yet he puts himself forth as God's interpreter. As for multiplying words, who did this more than Elihu? We have already called attention to the fact that Elihu was wordy, verbose, loquacious. 

Words against God? Where did Job speak against God? He spoke against the falsities of his three friends.