§ 1 The text
NASB
Job 34:12, NASB“Surely, God will not act wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.”
“God's methods can be improved upon by human strategy; His way of justice 'won't work.'”
§ 2 The argument
'The Almighty will not pervert justice.' God neither acts wickedly nor bends justice; therefore His prescribed way of justice is never the flawed option. The abolitionist inference: distrust of God's method ('justice only won't work') impugns the God who cannot pervert justice.
§ 3 Context & notes
Foundation text used to counter the underlying unbelief the speaker diagnoses in incrementalism — the fear that obeying God 'won't work.' If God cannot pervert justice, His way is always the wise and effective one.
§ 4 Themes
God will not pervert justice trust in God's method divine integrity
§ 5 Discussion questions
- If 'the Almighty will not pervert justice,' can His command of 'justice only' ever be the imprudent choice?
- What belief about God is implied by the claim that doing justice 'won't work'?