“…He sees their every step.” Job 34:21b

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According to Elihu, God shows no partiality by not favoring the rich over the poor (v.19). However, the full counsel of God’s Word reveals God does hear the cries of those who are down and out, kicked-out, thrown out, and even those out of touch with reality. There was something, though, that Elihu had observed: that the mighty are removed without human hand – they die in an instant, unexpectedly (v.20). Armed with this observation, Elihu rode the slippery slope of condemning Job based solely upon that observation: the natural catastrophes.

Again, the visitors nor Elihu knew nothing of the drama that had unfolded in heaven (Ch.’s 1&2). Job was actually being held-out as an outstanding example of abiding faith in God. God allowed satan to test Job, who was left out… standing in the sun, scraping the sores off his skin. To Elihu, seeing was believing, and the truth
of Job’s loss of family and property were the tell-tale sign of judgment from God. Elihu described it this way:

“His eyes are on the ways of men He sees their every step. There is no dark place, no deep shadow, where evildoers can hide. God has no need to examine men further, that they should come before Him for judgment. Without inquiry He shatters the mighty and sets up others in their place. Because He takes note of their deed, He overthrows them in the night and they are crushed. He punishes them for their wickedness where everyone can see them, because they turned from following Him and had no regard for any of His ways.” (vv. 21 – 27)

God breathed truth within Elihu’s condemning rant:

  • His eyes are in every place observing the evil and the good (Proverbs 15:3);

  • There is no place hidden from God (Psalm 139:7-12);

  • God deposes leaders in His own time, and by His own methods (Daniel 2:21; Psalm 75:7; Job 34:24); and

  • God’s judgment is sure (Exodus 6:6; Ecclesiastes 12:14; Psalm 50:4).

While it is true God observes all man’s ways, He is the one Who judges between the guilty and the innocent – and man should stay away from the activity unless duly appointed by law to do so; and even then one should use prudence and prayer in the pursuit of justice which will mirror God’s Kingdom.

How is God speaking to us today? Without having any authority to do so, we should refrain from judging others with a condemning attitude. One may decide if someone is a good or bad influence without a spirit of condemnation. How often are we led to evil, the delight of our eyes, the lusts of our flesh? Before yielding to temptation, consider how God sees your every step and is standing beside you pointing the right way to go. Do we feel our leaders are unjust or wicked? Trust God to work things out in His way, in His time.

Have a blessed day…