Job 34:37Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Consider this, O Job; refrain from responding like the foolish, lest our transgressions accumulate; may guilt be upon us for speaking excessively before the Lord. He did not refer to our words as 'criminal' or 'wicked,' but merely as many, indicating that we too should limit our contradictions to God. Just as one would hesitate to challenge an earthly king with numerous words, we should be even more cautious in our approach to the Almighty.

Who has heaped blasphemy upon his sins? Job 34:37. He accuses him of being deserving of punishment for his sins and of continuing to sin even after facing punishment. However, the Lord judges this situation quite differently; He asserts that Job's suffering is unjust and rewards him abundantly following his trials. Thus, blessed Job demonstrated that he spoke without sin, and subsequently, he received blessings after his declarations. Therefore, Elihu, defending the Lord, perceives blessed Job in a manner contrary to the Lord's view, thereby contradicting the truth and seemingly multiplying words in support of that truth. Hence, let him now be restrained among us, and let him then call upon God to render judgment based on these assertions.

With the belief that Job could not dispute the veracity of his words, Elihu takes it upon himself to dissect Job’s claim that the Lord punishes him without cause and presents evidence that such a view of God contradicts our understanding of Him as the omnipotent Sustainer of the universe. Indeed, if the Lord acted with favoritism or unfairness, the order of the world would surely be disrupted, and He would not hold back evil from those who transgress the truth. Ultimately, it is His all-knowing nature, combined with His might and compassion for those wronged, that upholds His justice. Consequently, mankind is called to submit to God's will. Elihu advises that Job’s perspective should be carefully considered for the purpose of his correction.