Thursday, March 21, 2024

Job 34, Elihu: Emphatic Axiom of Retribution

Young Elihu has demanded that Job answer him. When Job does not, Elihu continues his speeches.

Job 34:1-4, Test my words

Then Elihu said:

"Hear my words, you wise men; 

listen to me, you men of learning.

For the ear tests words as the tongue tastes food.

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; 

let us learn together what is good.


Elihu begins his second speech with a call for attention. It is not clear who the "wise men" are in this speech -- they could be Job's three companions; they could be an audience of community elders that has gathered around Job.


In his call for attention, Elihu says that listeners should test these words together to discern their value.


Job 34:5-6, Afflicted with an incurable wound

"Job says, `I am innocent, 

but God denies me justice.

Although I am right, 

I am considered a liar;

although I am guiltless, 

his arrow inflicts an incurable wound.'


Elihu says that Job has claimed innocence and that God has denied him justice, that Job has been called a liar (by God?) and that Job says he is being punished for sins he did not commit (says Hartley.) 


Job 34:7-9, Drinking scorn

What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water?

He keeps company with evildoers; 

he associates with wicked men.

For he says, `It profits a man nothing when he tries to please God.'


Instead, says Elihu, Job is completely wicked, full of scorn, loudly declaring there is no reason to please God.


Job 34:10-15, Can the Almighty do wrong?

"So listen to me, you men of understanding. 

Far be it from God to do evil, 

from the Almighty to do wrong.

He repays a man for what he has done; 

he brings upon him what his conduct deserves.

It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, 

that the Almighty would pervert justice.


Who appointed him over the earth? 

Who put him in charge of the whole world?

If it were his intention 

and he withdrew his spirit and breath,

all mankind would perish together 

and man would return to the dust.


Elihu is offended that Job has attacked God and feels the need to come to God's rescue. Calling for attention, Elihu insists on the Axiom of Retribution, that God rewards or punishes each man for their conduct.  To emphasize his claim, Elihu points out that God has no one above him, had no creator, and if God were to withdraw, all mankind would perish. The last verses are echoed in Psalm 104: 29.


Job 34:16-20, The One who wipes out kings

"If you have understanding, 

hear this; listen to what I say.

Can he who hates justice govern? 

Will you condemn the just and mighty One?

Is he not the One who says to kings, `You are worthless,' 

and to nobles, `You are wicked,'

who shows no partiality to princes 

and does not favor the rich over  the poor, 

for they are all the work of his hands?


They die in an instant, in the middle of the night; 

the people are shaken and they pass away; 

the mighty are removed without human hand.


Elihu argues that without justice, one cannot govern and so the Creator must be filled with justice. Indeed He wipes out kings and princes who do not govern well. Hartley argues that in the ancient Near East, political power and justice were believed to be intertwined -- it was the powerful king that was required to be just. (See Proverbs 16: 10-15 and Proverbs 20: 8 for examples.)


Job 34:21-28, The ways of men

"His eyes are on the ways of men; 

he sees their every step.

There is no dark place, 

no deep shadow,

 where evildoers can hide.


God has no need to examine men further, 

that they should come before him for judgment.

Without inquiry he shatters the mighty 

and sets up others in their place.


Because he takes note of their deeds, 

he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.

He punishes them for their wickedness 

where everyone can see them,

because they turned from following him

and had no regard for any of his ways.

They caused the cry of the poor to come before him, 

so that he heard the cry of the needy.


Elihu insists that God sees every actions of man, a response to Job's questions of Job 10: 2-6.


Job 34: 29-30, But if He is silent?

But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? 

If he hides his face, who can see him? 

Yet he is over man and nation alike,

to keep a godless man from ruling, 

from laying snares for the people.


Job's complaint in chapter 23 was that God was silent and could not be found. Elihu addresses this apparently in two arguments: (1) God can do what He wants and (2) He still keeps the godless from ruling; He still defeats the wicked.  Elihu's first statement, although a bit simplistic, is essentially correct and is part of the message of this book -- that God has plans He does not reveal and we humans may perceive only silence.


Job 34: 31-33, Turn around!

"Suppose a man says to God, `I am guilty but will offend no more.

Teach me what I cannot see; 

if I have done wrong, I will not do so again.'


Should God then reward you on your terms, 

when you refuse to repent?

  You must decide, not I; 

so tell me what you know.


Job, says Elihu, must be prepared to repent. "You have a choice to make," says Elihu. Once again, Job's companions return to condemnation, equation Job's pain with past sin.


Hartley suggests that after this call for repentance from Job, Elihu pauses for a response. Since Job gives none, Elihu then presses on.


Job 34:34-37, Scornful sinner

"Men of understanding declare, 

wise men who hear me say to me,

`Job speaks without knowledge; 

his words lack insight.'

Oh, that Job might be tested to the utmost 

for answering like a wicked man!

To his sin he adds rebellion; 

scornfully he claps his hands among us

  and multiplies his words against God."


Elihu calls for the wise men to agree with him -- Yes, he claims, Job is a rebellious sinful man, who scorns both wisdom and God.

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