Job 35:12

Context

Job 35:12 is part of Elihu's third speech to Job, where he attempts to justify God's ways and correct Job's perspective on suffering. Elihu, the youngest of Job's friends, positions himself as having a superior understanding of God's justice and wisdom. Throughout his speeches, he argues that God is too great to be influenced by human actions (as seen in Job 35:6-7) and that suffering often serves as a means of discipline or a call to repentance, rather than arbitrary punishment. In this particular verse, Elihu addresses the phenomenon of unanswered cries or prayers, offering his explanation for why distressed individuals might not receive a divine response.

Elihu's Argument & Key Themes

Elihu's statement, "There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men," presents a critical perspective on the nature of human supplication and divine response. He suggests that when people cry out, yet receive no answer, it is often not due to God's indifference, but rather a direct consequence of human sin, specifically pride.

• Unanswered Cries and Prayer: Elihu asserts that a lack of divine intervention or response to cries of distress is not necessarily a sign of God's absence or injustice. Instead, he links it to the internal state of the one crying out, or the oppressive actions of others.
• The Sin of Pride: This is the central theme of the verse. Elihu implies that cries born of arrogance, self-righteousness, or a lack of true humility may go unheard by God. If the "cry" is merely a complaint or a demand rooted in pride rather than a humble plea for mercy or guidance, it may not elicit the desired response. The Bible consistently warns against the destructive nature of pride, often contrasting it with the blessings associated with humility (James 4:6).
• "Evil Men": The phrase "pride of evil men" can be interpreted in two ways:
  1. It refers to the pride of those who are crying out, suggesting their own wickedness and arrogance prevent God from answering.
  2. It refers to the pride of oppressors or wicked rulers, whose actions cause the cries of the afflicted to go unheard *by human means*, and perhaps God allows this for a time, not for lack of care, but for His sovereign purposes or to expose injustice. Elihu's broader argument often defends God's unwavering justice, implying that God does not answer cries that are not righteous or humble.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "cry" is צָעַק (tsa'aq), which denotes a loud cry, often one of distress, complaint, or urgent appeal. It doesn't necessarily imply a prayer of repentance or humility, but rather an outcry of anguish.
• "Pride" is גָּאוֹן (ga'on), which can mean majesty or exaltation, but in negative contexts, it signifies arrogance, insolence, or haughtiness. Here, it clearly points to a spiritual or moral flaw that hinders communication with the divine.

Practical Application

This verse offers a challenging yet insightful perspective for believers today. When we feel that our prayers or cries for help are unanswered, Elihu's words prompt self-examination:

• Examine Our Hearts: Are our petitions rooted in genuine humility and a desire for God's will, or are they tainted by arrogance, self-pity, or unconfessed sin? God seeks those who worship Him in spirit and truth (John 4:24).
• The Role of Humility: The verse implicitly stresses the importance of humility in our approach to God. A humble and contrite heart is something God will not despise (Psalm 51:17).
• Understanding God's Silence: God's silence is not always a sign of His absence or indifference. Sometimes, it is an invitation to introspection, a call to address our own spiritual state, or a period where He is working in ways we cannot yet perceive.
• Addressing Injustice: If "evil men" refers to oppressors, the verse reminds us that the cries of the oppressed, though seemingly unheard by earthly powers, are ultimately known to God, even if His answer is not immediate in the way we expect.