Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
Job
Chapter 35
Job 35:1-16
In this chapter, Elihu points out three more things Job had said or implied in the course of defending himself; namely,
I. THAT THERE IS NO ADVANTAGE TO LIVING THIS LIFE IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - vv. 1-8
v. 2 - “righteousness is more than God's” = Job didn't say these exact words, but in defending himself against the charge of hypocrisy and believing he had done nothing to deserve the problems he was having, especially the latter, he implied that his cause was more righteous than God's since he believed God was punishing him unjustly.
v. 3 - Job had said the wicked lived and prospered (see Job 21:7-15), even though he went on to say they would be destroyed. He also thought he was being treated as a sinner. These things implied and Elihu interpreted them to mean what he here says, that there was no advantage to being righteous so far as the dealings of Providence with men in this world is concerned. cf. Psa 73:13
“unto thee” = referring to Job as speaking to himself.
v. 4 - “companions” = those who hold the sentiments of v. 3
v. 5 - “heavens” = visible universe which God created and above which He is enthroned. These things are created by God, are far above man; yea, even the clouds near the earth are higher, and man can do nothing to alter these things.
vv. 6-7 - The Sovereign God cannot be affected in any way by the actions of man, whether sinful or righteous. He never changes.
v. 8 - But man can be hurt by wickedness or helped by righteousness, both his own and that of others.
II. THAT THE OPPRESSED CRY OUT BUT ARE NOT HEARD - vv. 9-13
They do indeed cry out because of being oppressed by those more powerful than they, but they cry to themselves or to other men for help rather than to God. Therefore, because of their pride (a God-helps-those-who-help-themselves attitude), they are not answered, even though they pretend to cry to God. It is vanity to trust in self and/or others and pretend to trust God, too. cf. Eze 20:39; Isa 31:1
III. THAT HE HAD NO HOPE OF AGAIN ENJOYING GOD'S FAVOR - vv. 14-16
v. 14 - Though He is invisible to the eyes of man, God sees and knows all about everyone and everything. In due time, He will act to bless or to judge. Therefore, He should be trusted even though not understood.
v. 15 - “But now . . .” = Job's complaining about his situation was evidence that he was not trusting God.
“anger” = fatherly displeasure and discipline for lack of trust. But, not in its extremity. cf. Job 2:6; see also Jer 30:11
v. 16 - Job was a wise man, but the words he spoke while trying to defend himself, especially the words he spoke against God, were not wise, and therefore his wisdom did not profit him.
So it is with us. Though we know and have even the wisdom of this world, if it is not applied correctly, it will be vanity.