Job 35
Job 35 is part of “Elihu's Speeches” (32–37) in the outline of Job.
Job 35 summary
Job being still silent, Elihu follows his blow, and here, a third time, undertakes to show him that he had spoken amiss, and ought to recant. Three improper sayings he here charges him with, and returns answer to them distinctly: - I. He had represented religion as an indifferent unprofitable thing, which God enjoins for his own sake, not for ours; Elihu evinces the contrary (Job 35:1-8). II.
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Job being still silent, Elihu follows his blow, and here, a third time, undertakes to show him that he had spoken amiss, and ought to recant. Three improper sayings he here charges him with, and returns answer to them distinctly: - I. He had represented religion as an indifferent unprofitable thing, which God enjoins for his own sake, not for ours; Elihu evinces the contrary (Job 35:1-8). II. He had complained of God as deaf to the cries of the oppressed, against which imputation Elihu here justifies God (Job 35:9-13). III. He had despaired of the return of God's favour to him, because it was so long deferred, but Elihu shows him the true cause of the delay (Job 35:14-16).
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Job 35 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Elihu's Third Speech: Does Your Sin Affect God?
1Moreover Elihu answered and said, 2Thinkest thou this to be [thy] right, [Or] sayest thou, My righteousness is more than God’s, 3That thou sayest, What advantage will it be unto thee? [And], What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned? 4I will answer thee, And thy companions with thee. 5Look unto the heavens, and see; And behold the skies, which are higher than thou. 6If thou hast sinned, what effectest thou against him? And if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? 7If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? Or what receiveth he of thy hand? 8Thy wickedness [may hurt] a man as thou art; And thy righteousness [may profit] a son of man. 9By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out; They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty. 10But none saith, Where is God my Maker, Who giveth songs in the night, 11Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, And maketh us wiser than the birds of the heavens? 12There they cry, but none giveth 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 thou sayest thou beholdest him not, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! 15But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Neither doth he greatly regard arrogance; 16Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; He multiplieth words without knowledge.