Job 35:9-16

9 "When times get bad, people cry out for help. They cry for relief from being kicked around,

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,

15 Or waiting for him to get good and angry and do something about the world's problems?

16 "Job, you talk sheer nonsense - nonstop nonsense!"

Job 35:9-16 Meaning and Commentary

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.