Job 35
Read Job 35 (WEB)+
1Moreover Elihu answered, 2“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’ 3That you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’ 4I will answer you, and your companions with you. 5Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you. 6If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him? 7If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand? 8Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man. 9“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night, 11who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’ 12There they cry, but no one gives answer, because of the pride of evil men. 13Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it. 14How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him! 15But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance. 16Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”
World English Bible (public domain)
“"If you have sinned, what do you accomplish against him? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?"”
Job 35:6
Summary
In Job chapter 35, Elihu continues his discourse, addressing Job's earlier questions about the value of righteousness and the tendency for wrongdoing to seemingly go unnoticed by God. Elihu challenges Job's perspective by asking why Job believes that his righteousness entitles him to special treatment from God or that his sin affects God in any way. Elihu emphasizes that human actions primarily affect other humans and not God Himself. He highlights the idea that God does not react to human behavior in the way humans might expect, because His ways are higher and His justice is perfect. Elihu also encourages Job to consider that God may have purposes beyond human understanding and that cries for help out of pure pride or self-interest do not capture God's attention like genuine cries of humility and faith.
Key Themes
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