Job 35:12

12 People are arrogantly indifferent to God - until, of course, they're in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them.

Job 35:12 Meaning and Commentary

Job 35:12

There they cry
As brutes do, and as in, ( Job 35:9 ) ; by reason of their oppressions, but not under a due sense of the hand of God upon them, nor of his being their only helper, and saviour, and deliverer;

but none giveth answer;
to them, either God or men, and they lie groaning and howling under their oppression;

because of the pride of evil men;
this is either to be connected with "they cry", and then the sense is, that they cry by reason of the oppressions of wicked men, who, through the pride of their hearts, and to show their superior power and authority, persecute and distress them, ( Psalms 10:2 ) . And it is because of this they cry out, being distressed by them, and not through any sense of sin they have committed, as the reason of God's suffering them to be thus oppressed: or "with none give answer"; God gives them no answer to their cry, because pride is not withdrawn from them, which is one end he has in afflicting men; because they are not humbled under the mighty hand of God, and are not brought to a sense of sin and humiliation for it, and acknowledgment of it. And another reason follows:

Job 35:12 In-Context

10 But never give God a thought when things go well, when God puts spontaneous songs in their hearts,

11 When God sets out the entire creation as a science classroom, using birds and beasts to teach wisdom.

12 People are arrogantly indifferent to God - until, of course, they're in trouble, and then God is indifferent to them.

13 There's nothing behind such prayers except panic; the Almighty pays them no mind.

14 So why would he notice you just because you say you're tired of waiting to be heard,