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Job 34:18-19
18 Is it fit to say ['amar] to a king [melek], Thou art wicked [baliya`al]? and to princes [nadiyb], Ye are ungodly [rasha`]?
19 How much less to him that accepteth [nasa'] not the persons [paniym] of princes [sar], nor regardeth [nakar] the rich [showa`] more than [paniym] the poor [dal]? for they all are the work [ma`aseh] of his hands [yad]. KJV-Interlinear
18 Who says to a king, 'Worthless one,' To nobles, 'Wicked ones'; 19 Who shows no partiality to princes, Nor regards the rich above the poor, For they all are the work of His hands? NASB
In life there are those who possess superior rank, and those who possess inferior rank or subordinates. Around the world and throughout history there exists numerous examples of this.
Anyone with a superior rank should be treated with respect, the respect due their position. You may not like the person, they may even be incompetent, but their rank or position is the object of the deserved respect, even if the person is not.
Likewise, in this world there are rich people and there are poor. There are the have's and the have not's. Typically, when you meet these folks, preference is given to the have's or the wealthier folks rather than those who have nothing. This is a natural and human reaction, although somewhat biased for obvious reasons.
But as Elihu has been explaining, the blessed folks are those who pursue Gods instruction. The wicked folks are those who do not, or those who substitute the many worldly beliefs in place of the scriptures.
Those who are blessed, are considered the rich. Those who reject the scriptures are the poor, spiritually speaking.
Those who possess rank, deserved rank, legitimate rank, are those who pursue their spiritual lives. Those who reject their spiritual lives possess no rank, spiritually speaking.
The real world does not reflect this truth, for the real world is filled with spiritually defective people who seize those things (wealth, power) which they do not deserve. Their seizure will be temporary at best.
And though man will give respect to rank when it is convenient for him and will give rank, disrespect when it suits him, and man will function with favoritism toward wealth and bias against the poor, God does neither of these things.
God looks at mans soul, while man looks on his own outward appearance (dress, rank, possessions, perceptions).
Although it is God who places man in his circumstances, God pays no heed to mans abilities, positions, possessions, talents, personalities, and so forth. The contents of mans soul is what matters and the only thing which matters.
God treats everyone the same. The poor, the untalented have no handicap when it comes to a relationship or a destiny through God. In the spiritual life, the playing field is level for all. What you think will determine your future. And the wealth and rank and respect, due your spiritual status, will eventually accompany it.
