Many people today dispute God’s goodness, if not his existence, by saying, “If God exists, and if God is good, then why is there evil in this world? Why doesn’t he just wipe out all evil from this world? Since he doesn’t, either he doesn’t exist, or he isn’t good.”
It was an issue that Job touched on in chapters 20, 21, and 24 where he complained that many evil people do not get what they deserve here on earth. But Elihu answers here,
It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice. (Job 34:12)
And he makes a very salient point in verses 14-15 as he notes that if God were to exact perfect justice right now, no one would survive (34:14-15).
As it is, we do see evidence of him punishing the evil. And God shows no partiality to anyone. All who sin will eventually pay for what they’ve done.
But if he does, in his mercy, remain silent for a time, how can we criticize him for that, when we too would have to be destroyed? (34:18-29)
He then compares the humble man who repents before God for his sin, with Job who instead questions God’s justice. And he says, “Should God reward you for this attitude? You’re speaking like the wicked.”
In chapter 35, he then points out the contradiction in Job’s words.
On one hand, he’s claiming God will clear him if he could only face him. But on the other hand, he questions God’s justice.
Either God is just and will clear Job if he’s innocent. Or he’s unjust and won’t care if Job is innocent or not. (35:1-2)
He then addresses the arrogance of those who would say, “If God’s unjust, why do good?”
Job, I must say, never actually said this in so many words, but Elihu points out that if what Job said is true, that the evil are not punished for their sin, that would be the logical conclusion.
But Elihu points out to Job that when God calls us to be righteous and flee wickedness, it’s for our good, not for his.
While he will judge us for our deeds and our sin does affect our relationship with him, our deeds affect us and the people around us much more than they do him.
And so when we choose to disobey his commands, we only end up hurting ourselves. (Job 35:6-8)
On top of that, Elihu notes that though people often cry out in their suffering, many nevertheless don’t turn their hearts to God. They remain arrogant in their attitudes in toward God and so God doesn’t respond to their cry.
He then criticizes Job for this very type of attitude, saying, “Should God answer you when you question his justice?” (35:9-15)
Then in chapter 36, he reaffirms that God will repay the wicked according to their deeds, and that though people may be afflicted and the righteous suffer (something Job’s friends refused to admit), that God would eventually lift them up. (36:6-7)
He then gives Job warning. That if God is using this time of suffering to chasten him, God will not be silent as to the reasons.
(I think Elihu does indirectly acknowledge here that God has been silent towards Job as to why he has been suffering).
But he tells Job that if God does tell him that he needs to repent, that he should not be arrogant and harbor resentment for God’s discipline lest he perish for it. (36:8-13)
He further warns him that his attitude of criticizing God’s justice could lead him into sin. (36:17-21)
Finally, he closes by telling Job, “You are in no position to judge God and why he’s allowing your suffering. He says,
God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’? (Job 36:22-23)
And again,
How great is God—beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. (Job 36:26)
He continues,
God’s voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. (Job 37:5)
He then concludes by saying,
Tell us what we should say to him; we cannot draw up our case because of our darkness.
Should he be told that I want to speak? Would anyone ask to be swallowed up?
Now no one can look at the sun, bright as it is in the skies after the wind has swept them clean. (Job 37:19-21)
In other words, “You want to confront God? Your understanding is so small and darkened, you wouldn’t be able to make a reasonable case. You’d be swallowed up by a wisdom and understanding that is far beyond yours. By a holiness that is much greater than yours.”
What do we get from this? It is sheer arrogance on our part to question God’s justice. We know too little and are too sinful to question a holy God. We are simply in no position to demand any answers from God.
So what do we do with our questions? Hard though it may be, we need to humbly put them aside and put our faith in God.
Believe in his goodness. Believe in his justice. Trust in his wisdom.
And know that if we do these things, our faith will ultimately be rewarded. As Elihu says to close his speech,
The Almighty is beyond our reach and exalted in power; in his justice and great righteousness, he does not oppress.
Therefore, people revere him, for does he not have regard for all the wise in heart?” (Job 37:23-24)
Moment to Moment (Bible blog) 