Elihu Talks About Justice
As we read through the book of Job, we see that Elihu pauses, giving time for Job—or anyone else—to respond. When they don’t, Elihu glances at the three older men and then resumes speaking.
“Listen to me, oh wise ones, as I continue. Weigh my words as I speak. May we work together to discern what is right, what is good.
“Job maintains his innocence and insists that God denies him justice. Job claims we treat him as a liar, even though he thinks it’s useless to try to please God. However, the Almighty performs no evil. He does nothing wrong.
“He gives everyone what they deserve. No more no less. God governs us justly. Job doesn’t know what he’s talking about, and he piles rebellion on top of his sins.
“Job, by claiming you’re right, you imply that God is wrong. Consider this: If you sin does that hurt God? If you do good does that benefit him? Of course not. Our actions only affect others—not God.
“The oppressed plead with the Almighty for relief, but they dare not question his integrity. God will not answer wicked people who cry out to him in arrogance. Think on this my friend. He ignores those who don’t deserve his attention.
“Because of this truth, why do you expect he’ll listen to you when you claim to not see him? When you present your case to him? When you find yourself waiting for an answer?
“You speak nonsense, Job. You say much, but it amounts to little.”
Elihu perceives God as one who fairly administers justice but nothing more.
Yes, we want God to act justly when it benefits us. But what about when it doesn’t? Then we don’t want justice. We want mercy. Mercy means not getting the bad results our actions demand.
Because we are frail people, we do wrong. We sin. If God only administers justice, then he must punish us for our mistakes. How fortunate for us that God is more than just.
He is also merciful. In his mercy he gives us a way out. He provides Jesus. Jesus took upon himself the penalty that justice demanded for the wrongs we’ve committed. Jesus died so that we may live.
Questions:
- Have we accepted the solution Jesus offers as an alternative to the justice we deserve?
- Do we fully embrace Jesus for what he has done for us?
[Discover more about what Jesus did for us in John 3:16 and Romans 5:8.]
[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is Job 33-36, and today’s post is on Job 34:12.]
Discover more about Job in Peter DeHaan’s book Job Bible Study: Unlock the Drama of Faith, Friends, and Frustration.
Spark your imagination by reading Job like a screenplay.
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront a status quo faith and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
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