Job 34:37

"I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men."

Key Reflection

In the context of Job 34:37, Elihu, speaking after Job’s lengthy defense and God’s silence, expresses his desire that Job be fully tested to prove his righteousness. The original audience would have understood this as a critique from someone who felt Job had defended himself too vigorously, suggesting that Job’s words were akin to those of the wicked. This perspective highlights the tension between Job's insistence on his innocence and what Elihu perceives as arrogance or stubbornness in facing God.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

For he addeth rebellion unto his sin -To the sin which he has formerly committed and which bas brought these trials upon him, he now adds the sin of complaining and rebellion against God. Of Job, this was certainly not true to the extent which Elihu intended, but it is a very common case in afflictions. A man is visited with calamity as a chastisement for his sins. Instead of searching out the cause why he is afflicted, or bowing with resignation to the superior wisdom of God when he cannot “see” any cause, he regards himself as unjustly dealt with; complains of the government of God as severe, and gives “occasion” for a severer calamity in some other form.

Related Verses

More from Job 34

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