What is the meaning of Job 34:9? For he has said… Elihu is quoting what he believes Job’s attitude has become. By beginning with “For he has said,” Elihu frames the following words as Job’s own conclusion about life with God. • This signals a correction is coming, since Elihu thinks Job’s view is off‐target (Job 34:10-12). • Similar moments appear earlier when Job voiced despair: “It is all the same; therefore I say: ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked’ ” (Job 9:22). • In Psalm 73:11-13 the psalmist briefly echoes the same complaint before regaining perspective. It profits a man nothing… Elihu claims Job now doubts any benefit from righteousness. • “Profit” speaks of gain, reward, or advantage; Elihu suggests Job sees no return on godliness (Job 21:15; 35:3). • Scripture repeatedly affirms there is profit in fearing God (Proverbs 10:22; 1 Timothy 4:8). • The lament “It is futile to serve God” later reappears among disheartened Israelites (Malachi 3:14), showing this temptation crosses generations. …that he should delight in God. The specific charge is that Job thinks delighting in God brings no benefit. • Earlier Job pleaded for communion with God (Job 23:3-6), yet pain has pushed him toward cynicism. • Delight in God is portrayed elsewhere as the highest good — “Delight yourself in the LORD, and He will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). • New-covenant believers find that delight centered in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). summary Elihu quotes Job to expose what he sees as a tragic misjudgment: concluding that loving God brings no gain. Scripture counters this by affirming that God rewards those who seek Him, both now and eternally. Feeling what Job feels is human; believing what Elihu corrects is error. The verse warns us not to let pain rewrite our theology but to keep trusting that delighting in the Lord is always profitable, because His character is steadfast and His promises are sure. |
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