Job 35 Footnotes

35:6-8 Elihu’s statement that human conduct (whether sinful or righteous) has no effect on God is misleading. Although human conduct does not affect God’s essential character, God does respond to human actions. God expresses concern, sorrow, and disappointment over Israel’s infidelity (Hs 11:1-11; Mal 1:6-9). Jeremiah declared that God repeatedly sought earnestly to warn his disobedient people but to no avail (e.g., Jr 7:13; 25:4-7; 32:33-35; 35:14-15; 44:4-6). Jesus lamented over Jerusalem’s stubborn refusal to turn from disbelief and receive God’s appointed means of reconciliation (Mt 23:37). As the believer’s great high priest, Jesus feels all the temptations that a Christian might face (Heb 4:13-16). The Holy Spirit can be grieved (Eph 4:30). God’s goodness (Nah 1:7; Rm 2:4) toward man, his love for people (1Jn 4:10), and his forgiveness all demonstrate that God cares for people (1Pt 5:7) and has concern for their eternal destiny (2Pt 3:9).