God Watches Everything We Do
January 21, 2020
Commentary
For the third time in his speech, Elihu requested that his audience of four hear him out. He argues that if God were unjust, there could be no just government on earth (vv. 16-20). If God had been unjust in the world, men would have wanted to condemn Him (vv. 16-17). Yet they would not dare do so because His authority was above that of earthly rulers (v. 18) and He could treat them all alike because they were His creation (v. 19). Proof that He treats them the same can be seen in the fact that without human help, He takes away the strong as well as the weak (v. 20).
Elihu continues His argument that if God were unjust then He must not see what is going on in the world (vv. 21-30). When men are taken away it is because God has seen some evil deed in their works (v. 21). This is just the opposite of what Job had claimed. Elihu persisted with his point by stating that there was no place for man to hide his iniquity (v. 22). Since evil does not escape God, there is no need for Him to investigate man any further (v. 23). There are no inquisitions where the case has to be argued (v. 24). In fact there is no need for them. God, armed with His infinite knowledge, takes note of the evil of men, and then brings inevitable and unexpected judgment upon them (vv. 25-26). Their punishment comes because they refuse to follow God (v. 27). One way of refusal is reflected in their cruelty to the poor (v. 28). However, if God remains silent and does not respond, who has any right to condemn Him (v. 29)? God responds on the basis of the principle of justice.
Application
God is just and in His infinite knowledge and wisdom and always knows what is best for me. Suffering is helpful when I turn to God for understanding, endurance, and deliverance. It may cause me to be ready to learn from a trustworthy God.
Job 34:16– 29 (NET)
16 “If you have understanding, listen to this, hear what I have to say.
17 Do you really think that one who hates justice can govern? And will you declare guilty the supremely Righteous One,
18 who says to a king, ‘Worthless man,’ and to nobles, ‘Wicked men,’
19 who shows no partiality to princes, and does not take note of the rich more than the poor, because all of them are the work of his hands?
20 In a moment they die, in the middle of the night, people are shaken and they pass away. The mighty are removed effortlessly.
21 For his eyes are on the ways of an individual, he observes all a person’s steps.
22 There is no darkness, and no deep darkness, where evildoers can hide themselves.
23 For he does not still consider a person, that he should come before God in judgment.
24 He shatters the great without inquiry, and sets up others in their place.
25 Therefore, he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are crushed.
26 He strikes them for their wickedness, in a place where people can see,
27 because they have turned away from following him, and have not understood any of his ways,
28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come before him, so that he hears the cry of the needy.
29 But if God is quiet, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, then who can see him? Yet he is over the individual and the nation alike,
Illustration: George Washington Created The Supreme Court
President Washington created the Supreme Court with the Judiciary Act of 1789, and its membership was set at six. Of Washington’s first six nominations to the court, one refused, one accepted but never attended, and John Jay, the first chief justice, spent most of his tenure in Europe as a diplomat. In fact, Chief Justice Jay resigned to become governor of New York, and when later was asked to return as Chief Justice, he refused, saying he didn’t think the court would ever amount to much. All of George Washington’s appointments to the Supreme Court were lawyers. No president has ever departed from that precedent, but there’s no requirement that a justice of the Supreme Court be a lawyer. (Peter Hayes. – Encyclopedia of Illustrations #6546).