Job 34:16-20
Verse 17 Can someone who hates justice govern? Will you condemn the just and mighty One?
Elihu started his opening statement talking about God’s justice and he continued that theme through today’s reading but from a slightly different angle. After talking about God and His justice the young man asks the question in our key verse for the day, “Can someone who hates justice govern?” Elihu was wanting to make sure Job and his three older friends understood what justice really looked like.
Justice is one of those words which has been twisted some through the years but when it comes to God and His understanding of justice, it will never change. God is just in all He does. He created us with a sense of justice, a desire to make things right. Unfortunately our idea of justice isn’t always in line with God and His character.
This word which is translated as justice is much deeper than simple justice. It is the same word which is often translated as judgment. To say God is the God of justice is to say He is the God of judgment. His judgment isn’t something which is popular. It is easier for people to accept His being loving than His being judgmental. In fact it may be the reason the modern church is struggling so much at being holy.
God doesn’t show partiality in His judgment. There are times His judgment isn’t for an individual person or even a group of people. Sometimes He shows His judgement on a whole nation and it is because of His love for the people in that nation. For example there are multiple times in the book of Judges alone where the nation of Israel walked away from God and no longer were teaching their children the truth of His holiness nor the laws He had commanded for His people. Each time they turned from God, He sent judgment in the form of oppression from other nations.
God knew if the people of Israel suffered under the hands of their enemies there would come a time where they turned to Him in repentance. This was His goal and proves the love He has for His people. If He didn’t love us, He wouldn’t do what is necessary for us to be able to see the error of our ways. That is the blessing of His justice, it is a call for us to leave our sinful ways behind and turn fully to a life of holiness which reflects the God of love.
Making It Personal
When have you seen God’s love in your life through His judgment? What did you learn through that situation? What has changed in your life because of that judgment?
Making It Personal Kids
What are some ways your mom and dad punish you for doing wrong? Do you enjoy getting into trouble? Why do they punish you?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for loving us so much You are willing to show us Your justice. Help us to see the need to live a repentant life. In Jesus’ name, amen.