Job35

Elihu continues his discourse, challenging Job's assertion that his righteousness surpasses God's and that there is no profit in being cleansed from sin. He argues that human actions do not directly affect God, who is transcendent, but rather impact other men. Elihu criticizes those who cry out under oppression but fail to seek God, their Maker, concluding that Job speaks ignorantly and without true understanding.

Elihu Challenges Job's Claims

1
Elihu went on to say:
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"Are you so convinced you are right, that you say, 'I am more just than God'? ​
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For you ask what advantage it is to you, 'How do I gain from not sinning?'
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"Here is my answer to you, to you and to your friends:

Human Actions Do Not Affect God

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Look at the heavens and see; observe the skies, high above you. ​
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If you sin, how do you hurt him? If your crimes are many, how do you affect him? ​
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If you are righteous, what do you give him? What benefit does he get from you? ​
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Your wickedness can affect only others like you, and your righteousness only other human beings.

Why Cries Go Unanswered

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People cry out from under many oppressions; they cry for help from under the fist of the mighty.
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But no one asks, 'Where is God my maker, who causes glad songs to ring out at night, ​
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who teaches us more than he teaches wild animals and makes us wiser than the birds in the air?'
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They may cry out, but no one answers, because of evil men's pride.
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For God will not listen to empty cries; Shaddai pays no attention to them. ​
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All the more when you say that you don't see him! Just be patient; he's considering the matter. ​
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But now, just because he doesn't get angry and punish, does it mean he doesn't know what arrogance is? ​
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So Iyov is being futile when he opens his mouth; he is piling up words without knowledge." ​

Study Notes for Job 35

Verse 2

Elihu believes Job has implied that his moral integrity is superior to God’s concern, a dangerous theological claim that elevates the creature above the Creator.

Verse 5

Elihu employs the vast distance of the heavens as a metaphor for God’s transcendence and immutability, arguing that human actions cannot truly reach or alter the divine nature.

Verse 6

This rhetorical question establishes God's aseity (self-existence). Human sin harms fellow humans and the sinner, but it does not diminish God’s glory or power.

Verse 7

Just as sin cannot harm God, human righteousness cannot profit Him; God is already complete. Therefore, rewards for righteousness are given by grace, not necessity.

Verse 10

Elihu critiques the afflicted: they cry out against oppressors (v. 9) but fail to seek God as the source of true comfort and hope, who sustains the faithful even in suffering.

Verse 13

Elihu asserts that God ignores 'vanity'—prayers offered out of pride, resentment, or empty complaint. Only genuine, humble pleas are appropriate before the Almighty.

Verse 14

This verse advises Job to trust God’s timing. Even if Job cannot perceive God’s presence, divine judgment is certain and will be executed when appropriate.

Verse 15

A notoriously difficult verse, often interpreted as Elihu criticizing Job for impatience, suggesting that Job assumes God has overlooked his suffering because immediate retribution has not occurred.

Verse 16

Elihu concludes his second speech by condemning Job for multiplying words without knowledge, implying that Job's self-justification is rooted in ignorance of God’s transcendent nature.

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