The core of Elihu’s polemic may be seen in two passages, 33:12–13 and 34:10, and summarized in 37:23, “The Almighty—we cannot find Him; He is exalted in power and He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.” Job and his three counselors had unwittingly accepted the common view of “compensation” theology, in which God is obligated always to bless the good and punish the bad. But Elihu challenged this false belief system, pointing out that God justly administers retribution, and