Job 34:17-32: a reflection

17Should even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty, 18who says to a king, ‘Vile!’ or to nobles, ‘Wicked!’? 19He doesn’t respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands. 20In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand. 21“For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings. 22There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves. 23For he doesn’t need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment. 24He breaks mighty men in pieces in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place. 25Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed. 26He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others; 27because they turned away from following him, and wouldn’t pay attention to any of his ways, 28so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted. 29When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? He is over a nation or a man alike, 30that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people. 31“For has any said to God, ‘I am guilty, but I will not offend any more. 32Teach me that which I don’t see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more’?

As Elihu speaks of God's justice, he draws attention to a truth about how God judges: He doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands. God does not judge as we so often do, deferring to the great and important, discounting the lowly. He shows no favoritism to rank or wealth; the prince and the poor stand alike before him, all of them the work of his hands. His justice is impartial, giving no advantage to the great or the rich.

Notice God's impartiality: he shows no favoritism to the great or the rich over the poor. We show partiality, deferring to the important and wealthy, discounting the insignificant; but God does not. Before him, the prince has no advantage over the poor; all are alike the work of his hands, all seen truly, all judged justly. God's eyes are on the ways of every person alike, and no darkness hides anyone from him. His justice is not swayed by rank or wealth; he sees and judges all impartially, the great and the lowly the same.

That impartiality is worth taking to heart, for it means God does not favor the important over the lowly, and we should not either. We can be tempted to defer to the great and wealthy, seeking their favor, while discounting the poor and insignificant; but God shows no such partiality, for all are the work of his hands. Do not show favoritism to the great and wealthy while discounting the lowly; before God all stand alike, and we are to treat them so. Reflect God's impartiality in how you regard others, showing no favoritism to the great or wealthy over the poor, as God does not respect princes more than the poor, for all are the work of his hands; for God judges all impartially, and we are to honor the lowly as much as the great, seeing each as the work of God's hands.

Lord, as Elihu speaks of your justice, he draws attention to a truth about how you judge: he doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor respect the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of his hands. You do not judge as I so often do, deferring to the great and important, discounting the lowly. You show no favoritism to rank or wealth; the prince and the poor stand alike before you, all of them the work of your hands. Show me your impartiality: you show no favoritism to the great or the rich over the poor. I show partiality, deferring to the important and wealthy, discounting the insignificant; but you do not. Before you, the prince has no advantage over the poor; all are alike the work of your hands, all seen truly, all judged justly. Your eyes are on the ways of every person alike. Your justice is not swayed by rank or wealth. Take that impartiality to my heart, for it means you do not favor the important over the lowly, and I should not either. I can be tempted to defer to the great and wealthy, seeking their favor, while discounting the poor and insignificant; but you show no such partiality. Keep me from showing favoritism to the great and wealthy while discounting the lowly; before you all stand alike. Help me reflect your impartiality in how I regard others, Lord, showing no favoritism to the great or wealthy over the poor, as you do not respect princes more than the poor, for all are the work of your hands.