Job - Chapter 35

Job 35.1 Elihu spake moreover, and said, Job 35.2 Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s? Job 35.3 For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? Job 35.4 I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Job 35.5 Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. Job 35.6 If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? Job 35.7 If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand? Job 35.8 Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. Job 35.9 By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. Job 35.10 But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Job 35.11 Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? Job 35.12 There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Job 35.13 Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it. Job 35.14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. Job 35.15 But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: Job 35.16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Job : Chapter 35

Reflection on Job Chapter 35 Job chapter 35 presents Elihu's third speech, a thought-provoking voice on the impact of human conduct on God. Elihu challenges our understanding by questioning the idea that human righteousness or sin directly affects divinity. Instead, he argues that our actions primarily influence only our fellow human beings. This chapter addresses profound themes such as divine transcendence, the purpose of prayer, and God's apparent indifference. Job 35 invites us to reevaluate our simplistic conceptions of the relationship between God and humanity. Through this reflection, let's consider together five biblical passages that shed light on the fascinating themes addressed by Elihu.

Psalm 50:21

"You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought that I was like you. But now I rebuke you and bring my accusations against you." This psalm resonates with Elihu's argument, emphasizing that God's silence does not mean His approval or indifference to our actions.

Ecclesiastes 5:2

"Do not be hasty with your lips, nor with your heart to make promises before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few." This warning echoes Elihu's advice about the importance of humility when speaking to God.

Isaiah 1:15

"When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; though they pray many times, I will not hear! Your hands are full of blood!" This passage from Isaiah illustrates Elihu's point that wickedness can hinder our prayers.

Micah 3:4

"Then they will cry to the Lord, but he will not answer them. At that time, he will hide his face from them because of the evil they have done." This verse supports Elihu's argument about the reasons that may explain God's silence in the face of our supplications.

Proverbs 15:29

"The Lord is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous." This proverb masterfully summarizes Elihu's point about the relationship between human justice and the effectiveness of prayer.

Meditating on these passages, we are invited to deepen our understanding of the relationship between God and us, to cultivate humility in our prayers, and to recognize the importance of our actions towards others and towards God.