Job 34:5Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

“Let us make a discerning decision and consider what is just among us,” meaning that we should engage in thoughtful reasoning before passing judgment on an individual. Observe that Job asserts his righteousness. However, Job did not express this claim until he articulated the merits of his own integrity, demonstrating unmistakably that he was indeed upright, as the Lord had previously acknowledged him to be. Yet God has withheld judgment from me. Should I be false to my own righteousness? My affliction cannot be healed without culpability... It is essential to understand that Job’s remarks were largely made in a manner lacking true insight into God’s justice. Hence, God rightly responds to him, “He who questions God must answer Him.” These words serve as a rebuke to Job.

Believing that Job could not dispute the accuracy of his statements, Elihu takes the opportunity to closely examine Job's assertion that the Lord punishes him without cause (34:1-9; vv. 5-13; 18; 19:7; 27:2; 6:4). He demonstrates that such a view of God contradicts our understanding of Him as the omnipotent Sustainer of all creation (10-12). If the Lord were to favor some or act unjustly, then the order we see in the world would not exist, and He would not prevent harm to those who stray from the truth (13-20). His all-knowing nature, sovereign power, and compassion for those wronged are what establish His righteousness (21-30). Consequently, humanity must yield to the divine will of God (31-33). Elihu advises that Job's mindset should be reconsidered for the purpose of correction (34-37).