90. Affirming that God Is Just

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Hymns: RHC 112 Redeemed, 100 He Lifted Me, 420 I Surrender All

Job 34:16-37

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 mighty 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 enter into judgment with God. 24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. 25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned back from him, 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.

Affirming That God Is Just 

OUTLINE

  • Contend Not (v16-17)
  • But Affirm the Truth Concerning Him (v18-30)
    • God Respect Not Persons in Judgment (v18-19)
    • God Judges Sovereignly – Determines the Time of Death (v20)
    • God Judges Justly by His Perfect Knowledge (v21-25)
    • God Judges Openly for All to See (v26-28)
    • God Is Longsuffering but He withholds Not Just Judgment (v29-30) 

INTRODUCTION

Christopher Ash observed well, “Neither Job nor the three comforters speak after Elihu’s first speech. We cannot know what they made of it, but it is perhaps not fanciful to imagine Job listening with care and storing these things up in his heart. It will be some time yet—and a greater voice must be heard—before he sees clearly, but there is a work of grace going on in his heart. Of that we may be sure. He foreshadows a greater man to come who will learn obedience through what he suffers (Hebrews 5:8). That man will learn obedience without sinning as he learns it. Job, however, needs to learn to bow in humble obedience before the God whom he cannot by nature worship perfectly.”

Hebrews 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

As we saw last week, citing Matthew Henry, “The scope of Elihu’s discourse to reconcile Job to his afflictions and to pacify his spirit under them. In order to this he had shown, in the foregoing chapter, that God meant him no hurt in afflicting him, but intended it for his spiritual benefit. 

In this chapter he shows that he did him no wrong in afflicting him, nor punished him more than he deserved. If the former could not prevail to satisfy him, yet this ought to silence him. 

In these verses he directs his discourse to all the company: “Hearken to me, you men of understanding (v10), and show yourselves to be intelligent by assenting to this which I say.” And this is that which he says, That the righteous God never did, nor ever will do, any wrong to any of His creatures, but his ways are equal, ours are unequal. The truth here maintained respects the justice of equity of all God’s proceedings.

Because he is God, and therefore is infinitely perfect and holy, he can neither do wrong himself nor countenance it in others, nay more than he can die, or lie, or deny himself. Though he be Almighty, yet he never uses his power, as mighty men often do, for the support of injustice. 

James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:”

God is just (v1-9) and God is fair (v10-15) were the two thoughts we saw for surely God will not do wickedly. He is infinite, eternal and unchangeable in His justice.

Here we see Elihu beckoning his audience not to contend with God by charging Him of any injustice (v16-17) but affirming the truth concerning His just character (v18-30).

  • Contend Not (v16-17)

 6 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?

We notice Elihu making a direct address to Job by direct rhetorical questions by the personal pronoun “thou”. Job, are you understanding rightly concerning God’s justice.

Job 34:10-15 Therefore hearken unto me, ye men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness; and from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity. 11 For the work of a man shall he render unto him, and cause every man to find according to his ways. 12 Yea, surely God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment.13 Who hath given him a charge over the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world? 14 If he set his heart upon man, if he gather unto himself his spirit and his breath; 15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turn again unto dust.

A man’s life and death are all in the hands of God. The sovereign God has every right to govern the affairs of men because He is God. More than that, because He is most just. He is most qualified to bear rule. Let man not challenge God and contend with Him.

  • But Affirm the Truth Concerning Him (v18-30)
    • God Respects Not Persons in Judgment (v18-19)
    • God Judges Sovereignly – Determines the Time of Death (v20)
    • God Judges Justly by His Perfect Knowledge (v21-25)
    • God Judges Openly for All to See (v26-28)
    • God Is Longsuffering but He withholds Not Just Judgment (v29-30) 
  • God Respects Not Persons in Judgment (v18-19)

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.

We understand rightly to honour the just – Proverbs 17:26 Also to punish the just is not good, nor to strike princes for equity.

What more when we speak of God!

Deuteronomy 10:17 For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward:

2 Chronicles 19:7 Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts.

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

Romans 2:11 For there is no respect of persons with God.

Ephesians 6:9 And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.

Colossians 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.

God cares for the poor in their helpless estate.

Proverbs 14:31 He that oppresseth the poor reproacheth his Maker: but he that honoureth him hath mercy on the poor.

When the Apostle Paul visited the Apostles in Jerusalem, he affirmed the truth of concerning the just God whom they all serve who cares for the poor.

Galatians 2:6-10 But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man’s person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.  

  • God Judges Sovereignly – Determines the Time of Death (v20)

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

God’s judgment is not uncertain. When Elihu says that “in a moment they die,” he is not saying that God’s judgment is always immediate, but rather that its suddenness makes it very clear this is God at work. “At midnight,” the time when people are asleep and feel secure, they die (as did the firstborn in Egypt, Exodus 12:29). Their judgment happens “by no human hand,” no visible human agency, as proof that this is the judicial action of God. [Christopher Ash]

It is clear that God is the Determiner of life and also of death. When God’s judgment comes, none can stay His hand.

  • God Judges Justly by His Perfect Knowledge (v21-25)

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 enter into judgment with God. 24 He shall break in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead. 25 Therefore he knoweth their works, and he overturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

God knows all things. Nothing escapes His knowledge. He is perfect in understanding and knowledge.

Psalm 34:15 The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.

Psalm 139:23 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.

Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

Jeremiah 16:17 For mine eyes are upon all their ways: they are not hid from my face, neither is their iniquity hid from mine eyes.

Jeremiah 17:10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.

Jeremiah 32:19 Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

So the judgment of God is perfect not only because of his omnipotence but also by virtue of his omniscience. [Christopher Ash]

  • God Judges Openly for All to See (v26-28)

6 He striketh them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27 Because they turned back from him, 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.

God hears the cry of the afflicted. He acts to save them.

Psalm 58:10-11 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked. So that a man shall say, Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

He will judge publicly, “in the open sight of others” (v26). There will be nothing secretive about His judgment. When men and women turn aside from following him (v. 27) and therefore become agents of social injustice (v28), He will give them the punishment they deserve, and He will do so publicly, so that the whole universe will see his justice. [Christopher Ash]

Psalm 125:5 As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: butpeace shall be upon Israel.

Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

  • God Is Longsuffering but He withholds Not Just Judgment (v29-30) 

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.

When a man is stayed upon God, nothing can make him fret.

Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.

John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

Romans 8:31-34 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Philippians 4:7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

What are we to say when God is quiet, when he hides his face and doesn’t seem to do anything about injustice (v29)? This, after all, is Job’s problem. Elihu claims that when God is quiet, it is still unacceptable and wrong to “condemn” him for injustice (as Job has done) (v29). For when “he hides his face” he is invisible, and we cannot tell what he may be doing behind the scenes (v. 29). Neither on a national level nor on a personal level can we condemn God for his inaction. Verse 30 seems to mean that we can still trust that God is working to ensure that godless people do not continue forever to reign and to trap and ensnare people. [Christopher Ash]

Amen.