Job

Job 34: God never perverts justice

Begin in prayer

Before we hear Elihu speak about justice, please ask God to keep us truthful about Him and honest about our sins.

“Speak to all the congregation of the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘You shall be holy; for I, Yahweh your God, am holy.

Leviticus 19:2

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to honor the justice that no power or darkness can defeat. Show us how You remain just while giving mercy through Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Elihu asks his hearers to test words and accuses Job of scorn, wicked association and speaking against delight in God. He insists that God does no wickedness and perverts no justice. God sustains every life and shows no partiality to rulers or rich people over the poor. He sees every way, hears the afflicted and overthrows powerful wrongdoers. Elihu urges confession and teachability instead of demanding recompense on one’s own terms. He ends by calling Job ignorant and rebellious and wishing him tried to the end.

As you read Job 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God never acts wickedly or perverts justice, and no rank or darkness can hide people from His judgment.

Elihu asks his hearers to test words as the palate tests food, then puts forward his account of Job’s claims. His accusations against Job must be distinguished from the truths he teaches about God. God does not commit wickedness, need an appointment to rule or depend on the creatures whose breath He sustains. Kings, nobles, rich people and poor people all remain the work of His hands. No rank makes Him partial, and no darkness conceals a wrongdoer from His sight. He hears the oppressed and can overturn mighty rulers in ways people cannot explain. Elihu then urges teachability but ends by wishing Job tried to the end and charging him with rebellion. God’s justice is certain without making every accusation Elihu draws from it a true diagnosis of Job.

How does Job 34 show us that God never acts wickedly or perverts justice, and no rank or darkness can hide people from His judgment?

God’s power never becomes injustice.

Elihu says God cannot act wickedly or twist justice. All creatures depend on the breath He gives, while no one appointed Him ruler. His independence and power belong with righteousness.

Rank and darkness cannot shield wrongdoing.

Rich and poor alike are the work of God’s hands. He sees every step, hears afflicted people and judges mighty oppressors. Hidden deeds and public authority give no refuge from His judgment.

True doctrine must not become an unsupported charge.

Elihu accuses Job of scorn and says he answers like wicked people. He ends by wishing the trial would continue to its end. Those are Elihu’s judgments, while God’s own later answer must govern how we assess Job.

Memorise

Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Job 34:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what wrong am I defending instead of asking Jesus to forgive it?

Elihu’s true account of God’s justice does not prove every charge he makes against Job. God sees our ways and cannot twist His judgment to please us.

Romans 3 verses 19 to 26 shows how God remains just while justifying those who believe in Jesus. Christ’s blood upholds God’s justice as He forgives guilty people. Jesus bore the punishment His people’s sins required when He died in their place. His work is complete and fully enough for their justification. He rose from the dead.

Turn from the wrong you defend and put your faith in Jesus. He gives forgiveness to every sinner who comes. The righteous Judge provides mercy through the Savior, so we can confess rather than invent excuses.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God never acts unjustly, while Elihu’s severe accusations must still be tested by God’s own words about Job. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for justice that never becomes wrongdoing, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

All the offspring of Israel will be justified in Yahweh, and will rejoice!

Isaiah 45:25

Father, thank You that Your justice never becomes wrongdoing. Forgive the sins we hide and the accusations we make without truth. Please turn us to faith in Jesus, whose blood answers guilt before You. Help us confess honestly and seek justice for afflicted people this week. In Jesus' name, Amen.