Job 34:29

When he giueth quietnesse, who then can make trouble? and when hee hideth his face, who then can beholde him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man onely: Job 34:29 (KJV)

it be done

against a nation, or against a man only: Job 34:29 (KJV)

In the Book of Job, the righteous man endures profound suffering and engages in a series of intense dialogues with his friends and ultimately with God. His friends repeatedly try to explain his affliction by attributing it to hidden sin, while Job steadfastly maintains his innocence and questions the fairness of his plight. Into this heated exchange steps Elihu, a younger associate from the tribe of Buz, who in Chapter 34 delivers a passionate address to Job and his companions.

Elihu’s speech underscores the absolute sovereignty and power of God. He points to God’s capacity to grant peace, saying, “When he giveth quietness, who then can make trouble?” This language highlights that when God bestows calm and tranquility, no external force can disturb that divine peace. The theme of God’s ability to provide peace finds resonance elsewhere in Scripture, such as Psalm 29:11, which declares, “The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

Elihu also remarks on the mystery of God’s hiddenness: “And when he hideth his face, who then can behold him?” The statement reflects the reality that when God’s presence seems concealed, human beings struggle to perceive or understand Him fully. This notion echoes the lament of Psalm 13:1, “How long, O LORD? wilt thou forget me forever? how long wilt thou hide thy face from me?” The hiddenness does not imply abandonment; rather, it emphasizes the limits of human comprehension regarding divine purposes.

The verse concludes by stressing the universal scope of God’s actions—whether they affect a nation or a single individual. Elihu’s broader purpose is to remind Job of God’s incomparable wisdom and power, urging him to submit to divine sovereignty and trust in divine justice. This encouragement prepares the way for God’s own appearance, where He reveals His majesty and imparts a deeper perspective on suffering, providence, and the inscrutable ways of the Almighty.