Job 34 Devotional

Kings and Paupers Alike

Elihu repeats Job's claim that he is righteous but God has denied him justice (34:5-6). Elihu answers that God cannot do wrong or twist justice (34:10-12). If God withdrew his Spirit and breath, every living thing would die and go back to dust (34:14-15). He tells kings they are worthless and shows no favor to princes over the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands (34:18-19). He hears the cry of the afflicted (34:28).

Much of this rings true, and other Scripture says the same. Peter came to understand that God does not play favorites among people (Acts 10:34). Yet Elihu also says Job keeps company with evildoers and adds rebellion to his sin (34:8, 34:37), though the reader has heard God call Job blameless (1:8). His true statements about God need to be held apart from his verdict on Job. God's impartiality means no one is too important for his justice and no one too small for his hearing.

To think about: How does it change your prayers to know your cry reaches God as surely as anyone's?