# Overview In Job Chapter 35, #Elihu addresses #Job and his friends, continuing his discourse on the nature of #God and the implications of human righteousness and wickedness. Elihu argues that human actions, whether righteous or sinful, do not affect God in the way they affect other people. He poses a rhetorical question to Job, suggesting that human behavior is insignificant to God's greatness, as God is far above and beyond human affairs. Yet, Elihu emphasizes that God is just and does respond to human behavior, but not in a way that alters His character or position. Elihu's speech underscores the transcendence of God and His independence from human morality, calling into question Job's understanding of divine justice and his complaints about God's treatment of him. Elihu challenges Job's claim that his righteousness has been in vain and questions the benefit of such righteousness to God. He asserts that human cries under oppression go unanswered because they lack understanding and fail to acknowledge God as their Maker. Instead of accusing God of injustice, Elihu encourages a recognition of God's sovereignty and the acknowledgment of one's own limitations in understanding His ways. Elihu's reflections invite Job and his friends to consider their perspective on divine-human interaction, urging them to trust in God's wisdom and justice, even when His ways seem inscrutable. Elihu's argument suggests a call to humility before God, recognizing that His purposes are beyond human comprehension. ## Theological Insights In Job 35, the discourse continues with #Elihu’s response to #Job's lamentations and assertions of innocence. Elihu addresses Job's complaints by highlighting several theological insights that are significant for understanding the nature of God and human relationship with the divine. 1. **God’s Transcendence and Immutability**: Elihu emphasizes that #God's greatness and transcendence make Him unaffected by human actions (Job 35:5-8). He asserts that human righteousness or wickedness does not impact God’s essence or His sovereign rule over creation. This underscores the belief in God’s immutability, a key theological concept indicating that God is unchanging and unaffected by human behavior. 2. **Human Limitations and Misunderstanding**: Elihu points out human limitations in understanding God’s ways (Job 35:9-14). He suggests that people often fail to grasp why God allows suffering, reminding us that God’s wisdom and perspective are far beyond human comprehension. This echoes the theme throughout the book of Job that human wisdom is limited compared to divine wisdom. 3. **The Consequences of Pride and Injustice**: Elihu warns against the sin of pride and presumption (Job 35:12-13). He implies that God does not respond to cries that come from prideful or unjust hearts. This theological insight aligns with the broader biblical theme that God exalts the humble and brings down the proud, as seen in other scriptures like [[James/James Chapter 4|James 4:6]] and [[Luke/Luke Chapter 1|Luke 1:52]]. 4. **God’s Justice and Human Response**: Elihu encourages a proper response to God’s justice (Job 35:14-16). He suggests that instead of questioning God’s justice, individuals should trust in His righteous character and wait for His timing. This reflects the theological belief in divine justice and the call for believers to trust in God’s ultimate plan, even when circumstances are challenging. Elihu's speech in Job 35 serves as a reminder of God’s sovereignty, the limitations of human understanding, and the importance of maintaining humility and trust in God's righteous judgment. These themes are central to the overarching narrative of Job and resonate with broader biblical teachings on the nature of suffering, divine justice, and the human relationship with God. ## Thematic Connections ### Divine Justice and Human Understanding In Job 35, the theme of #DivineJustice is explored as #Elihu emphasizes that human actions do not affect God’s righteousness or his ability to administer justice. This theme resonates with the idea that God’s ways are ultimately beyond human comprehension, as seen in passages like [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 55|Isaiah 55:8-9]], where God declares that His thoughts and ways are higher than those of humans. This theme invites reflection on the limits of human understanding regarding divine justice. ### The Role of Human Righteousness Elihu challenges #Job's assertion of his own righteousness and questions the impact of human righteousness on God. This theme connects with other biblical passages that explore human righteousness, such as [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 64|Isaiah 64:6]], where human righteousness is described as "filthy rags," emphasizing that true righteousness is found in God alone. This theme underscores the scriptural teaching that human efforts cannot alter God’s nature or purposes. ### Human Pride and Humility Before God Elihu's discourse in Job 35 underscores the theme of human pride and the importance of humility before #God. This thematic connection is echoed in Proverbs, where pride is often contrasted with humility, as seen in [[Proverbs/Proverbs Chapter 16|Proverbs 16:18]], which warns that pride precedes destruction. This theme highlights the biblical exhortation for believers to approach God with humility and reverence. ### The Ineffectiveness of Empty Complaints Elihu points out that empty complaints and cries of injustice do not sway God if they are not accompanied by a sincere heart. This theme aligns with biblical admonitions against insincere worship and cries, such as those found in [[Amos/Amos Chapter 5|Amos 5:21-24]], where God rejects superficial religious practices in favor of justice and righteousness. This theme emphasizes the importance of genuine repentance and heartfelt supplication in the believer’s relationship with God. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Sovereign Justice of God In #Job35, #Elihu speaks about the greatness and justice of #God, emphasizing that human actions neither benefit nor harm God but rather impact other humans. This notion can be connected to prophecies that highlight God’s sovereignty and justice, such as those found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40|Isaiah 40:22-23]], where God is portrayed as transcending human affairs and ruling with justice. Elihu’s discourse aligns with these prophetic themes, illustrating a consistent biblical narrative of God’s sovereign rule over creation. ### The Call to Humility and Repentance Elihu’s words in Job 35 underline the need for humility before God, echoing prophetic calls to repentance and humility found throughout the Old Testament. For example, [[Micah/Micah Chapter 6|Micah 6:8]] calls for walking humbly with God. Elihu emphasizes that human righteousness or wickedness does not affect God, urging Job and his friends to understand their place before the Almighty, aligning with the prophetic call for humility and recognition of God’s supremacy. ### The Assurance of Divine Justice Elihu’s discussion in this chapter about God’s justice reflects prophetic assurances found elsewhere in Scripture, such as in [[Amos/Amos Chapter 5|Amos 5:24]], where justice is described as an ever-flowing stream. Elihu assures that God hears the cries of the oppressed, even if it seems delayed, aligning with the prophetic hope that God will ultimately act justly and righteously on behalf of His people. ### The Purpose of Suffering Although not a direct prophecy, Elihu’s discourse can be seen as foreshadowing the New Testament revelation of suffering’s purpose in the believer’s life, akin to teachings in [[Romans/Romans Chapter 5|Romans 5:3-5]], where suffering produces perseverance, character, and hope. Elihu hints at the possibility that God uses suffering to instruct and correct, a theme that echoes the prophetic understanding of suffering as a tool for refining and drawing people closer to God. ## Verses - **Job 35:1** - "Then Elihu said:" - **Job 35:2** - "‘Do you think it is right for you to claim, ‘I am righteous before God’?" - **Job 35:3** - "For you also ask, ‘What’s in it for me? What’s the use of living a righteous life?’" - **Job 35:4** - "I will answer you and all your friends, too." - **Job 35:5** - "Look up into the sky and see the clouds high above you." - See also: [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 40]], [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 19]] - **Job 35:6** - "If you sin, how does that affect God? Even if you sin again and again, what effect will it have on him?" - **Job 35:7** - "If you are good, is this some great gift to him? What could you possibly give him?" - See also: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 50]], [[Romans/Romans Chapter 11]] - **Job 35:8** - "No, your sins affect only people like yourself, and your good deeds also affect only humans." - **Job 35:9** - "People cry out when they are oppressed. They groan beneath the power of the mighty." - See also: [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 3]] - **Job 35:10** - "Yet they don’t ask, ‘Where is God my Creator, the one who gives songs in the night?’" - See also: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 77]] - **Job 35:11** - "Where is the one who makes us smarter than the animals and wiser than the birds of the sky?’" - **Job 35:12** - "And when they cry out, God does not answer because of their pride." - **Job 35:13** - "But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned." - See also: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 116]], [[1 Peter/1 Peter Chapter 5]] - **Job 35:14** - "You say you can’t see him, but he will bring justice if you will only wait." - See also: [[Psalms/Psalms Chapter 37]] - **Job 35:15** - "You say he does not respond to sinners with anger and is not greatly concerned about wickedness." - **Job 35:16** - "But you are talking nonsense, Job. You have spoken like a fool.’"