Listen to this, Job;
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His clouds to shine?
Do you know about the hovering of the clouds,
The wonders of One who is perfect in knowledge (vv. 14-16)

Many of us wonder what Elihu is talking about. Half of the book is about Job’s suffering despite his good deeds. Job claims he is righteous and believes he is being treated unfairly by God. He wants justice. Now Elihu speaks about God’s knowledge—knowledge that no one can fully comprehend. What is the connection between righteousness and knowledge? And why is this important for understanding the true meaning of righteousness?

People often think righteousness has to do with the law. However, sin existed even before the law was given.

… for sin indeed was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not counted where there is no law. (Romans 5:13)

If the knowledge that God possesses is true righteousness, then not knowing God is unrighteousness. Jesus Christ came as the wisdom of God, possessing knowledge and understanding. He is the exact representation of the Father. Therefore, anyone who denies Jesus Christ is unrighteous.

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, having become so much better than the angels, to the extent that He has inherited a more excellent name than they. (Hebrews 1:3-4)

Understanding the works of Jesus Christ is the knowledge granted to every saint. Therefore, establishing and declaring the common knowledge of God and His works lies at the center of the Christian faith. Despite the many corruptions and evil deeds committed by churches on earth, God has been educating His people through the invisible Church. The invisible Church has no building or visible form; it is a group of the chosen, united by the Holy Spirit.

Understanding righteousness solely within the framework of the law is a serious mistake. It is like seeing only a portion of a picture of an elephant for the first time and trying to guess what it looks like.

God’s righteousness flows from His knowledge. If anyone possessed more knowledge than God, they might be in a position to judge His righteousness. But all knowledge comes from God. We cannot even walk, eat, hear, or speak without His permission. He is our Father. Yet here, Job speaks as if his righteousness is greater than God’s.

The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not violate justice and abundant righteousness.
Therefore people fear Him;
He does not regard any who are wise of heart. (vv. 23-24)