Job 34:16-30 - The Biblical Illustrator

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Bible Comments

If now thou hast understanding, hear this.

Elihu’s remonstrance

I. Founded on the supremacy of God. Where there is absolute supremacy, there can be no injustice. There are some who speak of the absolute law of right as something outside the Almighty, independent of Him, and to which He is accountable. What the Supreme wills, is right, and right because He wills it.

II. On the impartiality of the Eternal. God is no respecter of persons. This is a fact proclaimed over and over again in the Bible, and which all nature and history demonstrate. The thought of God’s impartiality serves two purposes.

1. To alarm the influentially wicked.

2. To encourage the godly poor.

III. On the omniscience of the Eternal. “There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.”

1. Wicked men perform their deeds in darkness.

2. However deep the darkness, God’s eye is on them.

IV. On the power of the Eternal. What a description of power we have here. Are not these views of God sufficient to hush every murmuring thought, to subdue every rebellious will, and to bring every heart into a loving agreement with His plans? (Homilist.)

Related Commentaries of Job 34:16

Job 34:16-30

16 If now thou hast understanding, hear this: hearken to the voice of my words.

17 Shall even he that hateth right govern? and wilt thou condemn him that is most just?

18 Is it fit to say to a king, Thou art wicked? and to princes, Ye are ungodly?

19 How much less to him that accepteth not the persons of princes, nor regardeth the rich more than the poor? for they all are the work of his hands.

20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mightye shall be taken away without hand.

21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.

22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

23 For he will not lay upon man more than right; that he should enterf into judgment with God.

24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number,g and set others in their stead.

25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.h

26 He striketh them as wicked men in the openi sight of others;

27 Because they turned back from him,j and would not consider any of his ways:

28 So that they cause the cry of the poor to come unto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.

29 When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man only:

30 That the hypocrite reign not, lest the people be ensnared.