Job 35 Study Notes

35:12-13 Elihu contended that when God is silent as the oppressed cry out, it is because their cry is born of pride, not contrition. God hears the penitent when they cry (Ps 4:3-4; 22:23-24). If he does not answer, the fault lies with man, not God (2Ch 7:14; Jr 11:9-11).

35:14 Job had asked God why he did not answer his requests for the opportunity to state his case before him (13:20-24; 23:2-7). Elihu suggested that God’s silence (30:20) was not because he was unaware of Job’s situation (33:21-23) but was due to Job’s self-righteousness and pride in maintaining his innocence (27:2-6; 31:35-37) in the face of God’s discipline (34:11-12). Job might be ignoring God’s many attempts to communicate with him (33:8-17). He might be missing his opportunities to exercise his God-given wisdom (35:11) and to consider his Creator’s provision for relief in his distress (v. 10).

35:15-16 Elihu ended this discourse on a similar note to his previous speech in which he recounted Job’s rebellious tendencies (34:36-37). Because God had not given Job the full punishment that he deserved (11:6), he foolishly babbled on with meaningless prattle.