Job 35

1 Elihu continued,

2 "Job, do you think it's fair for you to say, 'God will clear me of all charges'?

3 You ask him, 'What good is it for me not to sin? What do I get by not sinning?'

4 "I'd like to reply to you and to your friends who are with you.

5 Look up at the heavens. Observe the clouds that are high above you.

6 If you sin, what does that mean to God? If you sin many times, what does that do to him?

7 If you do what is right, how does that help him? What does he get from you?

8 The evil things you do only hurt someone like yourself. The right things you do only help other human beings.

9 "People cry out when they are beaten down. They beg to be set free from the power of those who are over them.

10 But no one says, 'Where is the God who made me? He gives us songs even during the night.

11 He teaches more to us than to wild animals. He makes us wiser than the birds of the air.'

12 He doesn't answer sinful people when they cry out to him. That's because they are so proud.

13 In fact, God doesn't listen to their empty cries. The Mighty One doesn't pay any attention to them.

14 So he certainly won't listen to you. When you say you don't see him, he won't hear you. He won't listen when you state your case to him. He won't pay attention even if you wait for him.

15 When you say his anger never punishes sin, he won't hear you. He won't listen when you say he doesn't pay any attention to evil.

16 So you say things that don't mean anything. You use a lot of words, but you don't know what you are talking about."

Job 35 Commentary

Chapter 35

Elihu speaks of man's conduct. (1-8) Why those who cry out under afflictions are not regarded. (9-13) Elihu reproves Job's impatience. (14-26)

Verses 1-8 Elihu reproves Job for justifying himself more than God, and called his attention to the heavens. They are far above us, and God is far above them; how much then is he out of the reach, either of our sins or of our services! We have no reason to complain if we have not what we expect, but should be thankful that we have better than we deserve.

Verses 9-13 Job complained that God did not regard the cries of the oppressed against their oppressors. This he knew not how to reconcile the justice of God and his government. Elihu solves the difficulty. Men do not notice the mercies they enjoy in and under their afflictions, nor are thankful for them, therefore they cannot expect that God should deliver them out of affliction. He gives songs in the night; when our condition is dark and melancholy, there is that in God's providence and promise, which is sufficient to support us, and to enable us even to rejoice in tribulation. When we only pore upon our afflictions, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just in God to reject our prayers. Even the things that will kill the body, cannot hurt the soul. If we cry to God for the removal of an affliction, and it is not removed, the reason is, not because the Lord's hand is shortened, or his ear heavy; but because we are not sufficiently humbled.

Verses 14-26 As in prosperity we are ready to think our mountain will never be brought low; so when in adversity, we are ready to think our valley will never be filled up. But to conclude that to-morrow must be as this day, is as absurd as to think that the weather, when either fair or foul, will be always so. When Job looked up to God, he had no reason to speak despairingly. There is a day of judgment, when all that seems amiss will be found to be right, and all that seems dark and difficult will be cleared up and set straight. And if there is Divine wrath in our troubles, it is because we quarrel with God, are fretful, and distrust Divine Providence. This was Job's case. Elihu was directed by God to humble Job, for as to some things he had both opened his mouth in vain, and had multiplied words without knowledge. Let us be admonished, in our afflictions, not so much to set forth the greatness of our suffering, as the greatness of the mercy of God.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 35

Is this chapter Elihu goes on to charge Job with other unbecoming speeches, which he undertakes to refute; as that he had represented his cause more just than God's, and religion and righteousness as things unprofitable to men, only to God; to which Elihu takes upon him to make answer, Job 35:1-8; and that the cries of the oppressed were not heard by the Lord, so as to give occasion to songs of praise and thankfulness, to which he replies, Job 35:9-13; and that Job had expressed diffidence and despair of ever seeing and enjoying the favour of God, which he endeavours to remove, Job 35:14-16.