Job 35:14

KJV

¶ Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, [yet] judgment [is] before him; therefore trust thou in him.

KJV (with Strong's)

Although {H637} thou sayest {H559} thou shalt not see {H7789} him, yet judgment {H1779} is before {H6440} him; therefore trust {H2342} thou in him.

Complete Jewish Bible

All the more when you say that you don't see him! Just be patient; he's considering the matter.

Berean Standard Bible

How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,

American Standard Version

How much less when thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him!

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Job 35:14, spoken by Elihu, directly confronts Job's profound despair and perception of divine absence. Elihu asserts that despite Job's feeling of not seeing God, divine judgment and righteous governance are perpetually active and inherent to God's nature. This verse serves as a powerful theological corrective and a pastoral call to unwavering faith and trust in the Almighty, even when God's ways are inscrutable and understanding remains elusive.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is embedded within Elihu's extensive discourse, spanning [Job 32-37](/job/32 "Job 32 - Elihu's First Speech"). Elihu, a younger and previously silent observer, intervenes after Job and his three friends have exhausted their arguments. He positions himself as a mediator with a superior understanding of God's ways, believing both Job and his friends have erred. Specifically, Elihu addresses Job's repeated accusations that God has been unjust, unresponsive, or hidden from his suffering. Job frequently laments his inability to find or comprehend God's actions, as expressed in passages like [Job 23:8-9](/job/23-8 "Job 23:8-9 - Job's Lament About God's Hiddenness"), where he despairs of locating God's presence. Elihu counters this by emphatically stating that God is not absent or indifferent; rather, His judgment and righteous administration are constantly "before Him," implying continuous divine oversight and an eventual, perfect resolution.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Job is set in the ancient Near East (ANE), likely in the land of Uz. The cultural backdrop includes a strong emphasis on divine justice and retribution, where suffering was often directly linked to sin. However, Job's experience challenges this simplistic view. The concept of "judgment being before Him" resonates with ANE judicial imagery, where a king or deity would have justice constantly in mind or before their throne, ready to be exercised. This signifies an active, ever-present divine governance, not a distant or passive deity. The dialogue format itself is characteristic of ancient wisdom literature, designed to explore profound theological and existential questions through debate and discourse.
* **Key Themes:** Job 35:14 contributes significantly to several overarching themes in the book. Firstly, it highlights the theme of **God's Unseen but Active Presence**; Job's subjective experience of God's hiddenness ("thou shalt not see him") is directly challenged by Elihu's assertion of God's objective, perpetual activity ("judgment is before him"). This speaks to God's omnipresence and constant engagement with creation, even when human perception fails to grasp it. Secondly, the verse underscores **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**. "Judgment is before him" emphasizes God's absolute control and inherent righteousness, implying that God is neither neglectful nor unjust. He sees all, weighs all, and will act according to His perfect standard, a truth echoed in [Psalm 97:2](/psalms/97-2 "Psalm 97:2 - Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of His Throne"). Lastly, the verse issues a profound **Call to Trust and Patience**. The imperative "therefore trust thou in him" serves as the practical application of Elihu's theological point, urging Job to maintain faith despite the bewildering circumstances and apparent lack of divine intervention. This resonates with the broader biblical principle found in [Proverbs 3:5](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5 - Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Judgment (Hebrew, _mishpat'_):** This term is far richer than a mere legal verdict. It encompasses God's righteous governance, His administration of justice, His just laws, and His rectitude in all His dealings. It implies a consistent and fair order established by God, rather than arbitrary decisions. In this context, it speaks to God's inherent nature as the just ruler of the cosmos, whose actions are always aligned with perfect righteousness.
* **Trust (Hebrew, _yachal'_):** Meaning to wait, hope, or be patient, _yachal_ carries the nuance of enduring expectation. It suggests a deep, persistent reliance on God, even through prolonged periods of difficulty, silence, or apparent divine absence. It is an active posture of hopeful waiting, not a passive resignation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him":** This clause directly addresses Job's repeated laments about God's hiddenness and unresponsiveness. It acknowledges Job's subjective experience of divine absence, his inability to perceive God's active hand or understand His ways in the midst of suffering (cf. [Job 23:3](/job/23-3 "Job 23:3 - Oh that I knew where I might find him!")). Elihu highlights the disparity between Job's perception and God's reality.
* **"judgment is before him":** This is Elihu's emphatic counterpoint. It asserts God's objective reality: God is not absent or indifferent. His righteous governance, active justice, and perfect rectitude are perpetually present and inherent to His being. The phrase "before him" signifies that divine oversight, awareness, and the readiness to act according to justice are constant realities, regardless of human perception.
* **"therefore trust thou in him":** This is the logical and pastoral imperative derived from the preceding truth. Because God's justice and active presence are constant, Job is exhorted to move beyond his despair and actively choose to place his confident reliance and patient hope in God. It is a call to faith in God's character, even when His methods or timing are incomprehensible.

#### Literary Devices
Elihu's statement in Job 35:14 employs several potent literary devices. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, directly contrasting Job's perception of God's hiddenness ("thou sayest thou shalt not see him") with Elihu's assertion of God's active presence and justice ("judgment is before him"). This creates a powerful tension that drives Elihu's argument. The verse also uses **Apostrophe**, a direct address to Job ("thou sayest," "trust thou"), making the exhortation personal and immediate. The final phrase, "trust thou in him," is delivered in the **Imperative Mood**, functioning as a direct command or strong exhortation, underscoring the urgency and necessity of faith. Elihu's entire discourse, including this verse, relies on **Rhetorical Persuasion**, aiming to convince Job of God's righteousness and the proper human response of humility and trust, even in the face of inexplicable suffering.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Job 35:14 offers a profound theological insight into the nature of God's justice and His relationship with humanity, particularly in suffering. It challenges the human tendency to equate God's silence or hiddenness with His absence or indifference. Elihu's declaration that "judgment is before him" affirms God's unwavering sovereignty and active involvement in the world, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension. This truth calls believers to a deeper faith that transcends immediate circumstances and relies on God's unchanging character. It reminds us that our limited perspective does not diminish God's infinite wisdom or perfect timing.

* [Psalm 97:2](/psalms/97-2 "Psalm 97:2 - Righteousness and Judgment are the Foundation of His Throne")
* [Isaiah 55:8-9](/isaiah/55-8 "Isaiah 55:8-9 - God's Thoughts and Ways are Higher")
* [Hebrews 11:6](/hebrews/11-6 "Hebrews 11:6 - Without Faith it is Impossible to Please God")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Job 35:14 provides a timeless message for believers navigating seasons of confusion, suffering, or perceived divine silence. In a world where immediate answers and tangible evidence are often sought, this verse reminds us that our feelings of God's distance do not negate His active presence or perfect justice. When prayers seem unanswered, or circumstances defy understanding, the call to "trust thou in him" becomes a vital anchor. It challenges us to move beyond a faith based solely on what we can see or understand, to one rooted in the unchanging character of God. This trust is not a passive resignation but an active, hopeful reliance on the God who is always aware, always righteous, and always working His perfect will, even when His "judgment" is hidden from our view. It encourages patient endurance, knowing that God's ultimate vindication or revelation will come in His perfect timing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do you typically respond when God seems silent or distant in your life, and how might Job 35:14 challenge that response?**
* **What does it mean to "trust" God when His "judgment" (justice or action) is not immediately apparent or comprehensible in your circumstances?**
* **How can remembering God's unchanging character and inherent justice strengthen your faith during prolonged periods of trial or uncertainty?**

### FAQ

**What does Elihu mean by "judgment is before him"?**

Answer: When Elihu states that "judgment is before him," he is asserting that God's righteous governance, His active justice, and His perfect rectitude are perpetually present and inherent to His very being. It doesn't refer to a future event but to a constant reality of God's character and operation. God is always aware, always just, and always ready to act according to His perfect will. This counters Job's perception of a God who is either absent or indifferent to his suffering; instead, Elihu insists that God's divine oversight is continuous and active, even if humans cannot perceive it or understand its timing. It signifies that God's administration of justice is always in view, always being executed, and always righteous, as seen in [Psalm 97:2](/psalms/97-2 "Psalm 97:2 - Righteousness and Justice are the Foundation of His Throne").

**How does this verse relate to Job's complaints about God's hiddenness?**

Answer: Job repeatedly expresses his frustration and despair over God's apparent hiddenness and unresponsiveness. He laments, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him" ([Job 23:8](/job/23-8 "Job 23:8 - Job's Lament About God's Hiddenness")). Job feels that God has abandoned him or is indifferent to his plight. Elihu directly confronts this perception in [Job 35:14](/job/35-14 "Job 35:14 - Elihu's Exhortation to Trust"). He acknowledges Job's feeling ("Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him") but immediately corrects it with a theological truth: Job's subjective experience of God's absence does not negate God's objective reality of active presence and justice. Elihu urges Job to look beyond his feelings of abandonment and to trust in God's unchanging character, knowing that God's "judgment is before him" and He is always in control, even when His actions are not understood.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Job 35:14, with its call to trust in a God whose "judgment is before him" despite His apparent hiddenness, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Job's struggle with the seemingly distant and inscrutable God is profoundly answered in Christ, who is the full and final revelation of God, "the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" ([Hebrews 1:3](/hebrews/1-3 "Hebrews 1:3 - Christ, the Radiance of God's Glory")). While Job felt he could not "see" God, in Christ, God became visible, tangible, and intimately present. Jesus Himself experienced the deepest sense of divine abandonment on the cross, crying out, "My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" ([Matthew 27:46](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")), yet His ultimate trust in the Father's perfect will led to His resurrection and vindication ([Luke 23:46](/luke/23-46 "Luke 23:46 - Jesus Commends His Spirit to the Father")). For believers today, our trust is not in a distant, hidden deity, but in the God who has fully revealed Himself in Christ, who promised, "I am with you always, even unto the end of the world" ([Matthew 28:20](/matthew/28-20 "Matthew 28:20 - Jesus' Promise of Presence")). The "judgment before him" ultimately points to Christ as the one appointed by the Father to execute all judgment ([John 5:22](/john/5-22 "John 5:22 - The Father Has Given All Judgment to the Son")), and whose sacrifice on the cross perfectly demonstrated both God's righteous judgment against sin and His boundless love for humanity. Thus, our trust is grounded in the visible, faithful, and always-present Savior.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Job 9:11

Lo, he goeth by me, and I see [him] not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.

Psalms 27:12

Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.

Psalms 27:14

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.

Job 9:19

If [I speak] of strength, lo, [he is] strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time [to plead]?

Job 23:3

Oh that I knew where I might find him! [that] I might come [even] to his seat!

Isaiah 30:18

¶ And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD [is] a God of judgment: blessed [are] all they that wait for him.

Psalms 62:5

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation [is] from him.