Elihu spake moreover, and said,
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Job 35 marks a crucial point in the book of Job, where Elihu continues his address, offering a fresh perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice. Elihu, the unexpected fourth speaker in the drama, arrives on the scene filled with indignation, having listened intently to the debates between Job and his three friends (Job 32:2-3, 5). He is frustrated by Job's self-justification and the friends' inability to effectively refute Job's arguments. Elihu felt Job was putting God on trial.
Elihu's Core Argument
Elihu's central point revolves around the idea that humanity's righteousness or wickedness ultimately does not affect God (Job 35:3-7). He argues that God is transcendent and doesn't gain anything from our good deeds, nor is He harmed by our sins. Our actions, however, deeply impact our fellow human beings, who bear the consequences of our unrighteousness (Job 35:8).
The Question of Benefit
Elihu directly addresses Job's question: "What's the benefit to me of being righteous?" Elihu counters that righteousness is not about earning God's favor or avoiding suffering. Instead, it's about living in accordance with God's character and impacting the lives of others positively.
Songs in the Night and Deeper Understanding
Elihu emphasizes God's provision even in the midst of adversity. God "gives songs in the night" (Job 35:10), providing comfort, hope, and even joy during difficult times. He also grants humans greater understanding than animals (Job 35:11), highlighting our capacity for reason, discernment, and spiritual insight. Yet, Elihu points out, animals don't complain to God when they don't see Him or understand His ways (Job 35:14).
A Reminder of God's Character
Elihu's speeches, including Job 35, serve as a reminder of God's character. While he may not have all the answers to Job's specific situation, Elihu consistently upholds God's righteousness, justice, and power. He affirms that God does not act unjustly (Job 34:10, 36:5).
Suffering and Divine Discipline
Elihu touches on the theme of divine discipline, suggesting that suffering can be a means of refinement and correction, not necessarily a punishment for sin (Job 33:19, 36:15, 36:21). This aligns with the New Testament perspective that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11), with the goal of producing righteousness and preventing future harm. Not all suffering is punishment for personal sin. The holy Son of God willingly suffered to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).
A Bridge to God's Revelation
While Elihu's words may not provide the ultimate answer to Job's questions, they prepare the way for God's own intervention. Elihu's emphasis on God's power and wisdom in creation (Job 36:26-37:24) foreshadows the Lord's powerful entrance in Job 38-41. Elihu’s advice to stop and consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14) would turn out to be exactly what Job needed. Elihu’s questions to Job about how God works his wonders seem to foreshadow God’s own coming questions in chapters 38–41.
Practical Application
Job 35 offers several practical applications for believers today:
- Focus on Impact: Recognize that our actions have consequences for others, and strive to live righteously for their sake.
- Find Hope in Suffering: Trust that God can provide comfort, guidance, and even joy during difficult times.
- Seek Understanding: Ask God for wisdom and discernment to navigate life's challenges.
- Trust in God's Character: Remember that God is always just, righteous, and loving, even when we don't understand His ways.
- Embrace Discipline: See suffering as an opportunity for growth and refinement, trusting that God is working for our good.
Job 35, within the broader context of Elihu's speeches, serves as a vital bridge between the human struggle with suffering and the divine perspective on justice, righteousness, and God's ultimate sovereignty. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's character and purposes, even when we can't see the full picture.
Elihu spake moreover, and said,
Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?
For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?
I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.
Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou.
If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him?
If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man.
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty.
But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night;
Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men.
Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity:
Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.
Job 35 marks a crucial point in the book of Job, where Elihu continues his address, offering a fresh perspective on Job's suffering and God's justice. Elihu, the unexpected fourth speaker in the drama, arrives on the scene filled with indignation, having listened intently to the debates between Job and his three friends (Job 32:2-3, 5). He is frustrated by Job's self-justification and the friends' inability to effectively refute Job's arguments. Elihu felt Job was putting God on trial.
Elihu's Core Argument
Elihu's central point revolves around the idea that humanity's righteousness or wickedness ultimately does not affect God (Job 35:3-7). He argues that God is transcendent and doesn't gain anything from our good deeds, nor is He harmed by our sins. Our actions, however, deeply impact our fellow human beings, who bear the consequences of our unrighteousness (Job 35:8).
The Question of Benefit
Elihu directly addresses Job's question: "What's the benefit to me of being righteous?" Elihu counters that righteousness is not about earning God's favor or avoiding suffering. Instead, it's about living in accordance with God's character and impacting the lives of others positively.
Songs in the Night and Deeper Understanding
Elihu emphasizes God's provision even in the midst of adversity. God "gives songs in the night" (Job 35:10), providing comfort, hope, and even joy during difficult times. He also grants humans greater understanding than animals (Job 35:11), highlighting our capacity for reason, discernment, and spiritual insight. Yet, Elihu points out, animals don't complain to God when they don't see Him or understand His ways (Job 35:14).
A Reminder of God's Character
Elihu's speeches, including Job 35, serve as a reminder of God's character. While he may not have all the answers to Job's specific situation, Elihu consistently upholds God's righteousness, justice, and power. He affirms that God does not act unjustly (Job 34:10, 36:5).
Suffering and Divine Discipline
Elihu touches on the theme of divine discipline, suggesting that suffering can be a means of refinement and correction, not necessarily a punishment for sin (Job 33:19, 36:15, 36:21). This aligns with the New Testament perspective that God disciplines those He loves (Hebrews 12:5-11), with the goal of producing righteousness and preventing future harm. Not all suffering is punishment for personal sin. The holy Son of God willingly suffered to bring us to God (1 Peter 3:18).
A Bridge to God's Revelation
While Elihu's words may not provide the ultimate answer to Job's questions, they prepare the way for God's own intervention. Elihu's emphasis on God's power and wisdom in creation (Job 36:26-37:24) foreshadows the Lord's powerful entrance in Job 38-41. Elihu’s advice to stop and consider God’s wonders (Job 37:14) would turn out to be exactly what Job needed. Elihu’s questions to Job about how God works his wonders seem to foreshadow God’s own coming questions in chapters 38–41.
Practical Application
Job 35 offers several practical applications for believers today:
- Focus on Impact: Recognize that our actions have consequences for others, and strive to live righteously for their sake.
- Find Hope in Suffering: Trust that God can provide comfort, guidance, and even joy during difficult times.
- Seek Understanding: Ask God for wisdom and discernment to navigate life's challenges.
- Trust in God's Character: Remember that God is always just, righteous, and loving, even when we don't understand His ways.
- Embrace Discipline: See suffering as an opportunity for growth and refinement, trusting that God is working for our good.
Job 35, within the broader context of Elihu's speeches, serves as a vital bridge between the human struggle with suffering and the divine perspective on justice, righteousness, and God's ultimate sovereignty. It encourages us to look beyond our immediate circumstances and trust in God's character and purposes, even when we can't see the full picture.