Podcast 49, Stories of the Bible, “The Book of Job, Ch 35”

Chapter 34 follows the same chiastic pattern as the others. It has two major parts: Part one is divided into A1 (verses 2-3) & A2 (verses 14-16). Part two is divided into B1 (verses 4-7) & B2 (verses 8-13).

The primary theme of the parable is found in the last verse of B2 where we expect it to be, “Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.”

Verse 1 is the usual salutation.

Elihu spake moreover, and said,

In Part One Elihu accuses Job of vanity. It is found, not unexpectedly in the last verse of A2. “Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.” The theme is repeated in B2.

Let’s first examine A1 of Part One

A1 Job 35:2-3

Thinkest thou this to be right, that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s? For thou saidst, What advantage will it be unto thee? and, What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin?

No where did Job say that his righteousness is more than God’s. What Job actually said was:

Job 29:14

I put on righteousness, and it clothed me: my judgment was as a robe and a diadem.

Elihu gives this great, insightful advice, but he misses the mark. Job is far ahead of his adversaries. Their arguments are inferior to Job because Job speaks the truth always, and he is genuinely an incredibly wise man. Every word of Job is evidence of his wisdom and understanding of the atonement.

A2 of Part One completes the thought.

A2 Job 35:14-16

Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him. But now, because it is not so, he hath visited in his anger; yet he knoweth it not in great extremity: Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vain; he multiplieth words without knowledge.

Elihu speaks the truth when he says that judgement is before God and that we should trust in him. However, he speaks falsely when he said that Job opened his mouth in vain and that he multiplied words without knowledge. Nothing in Job supports that statement.

The key to understanding Chapter 35 is found in the Middle, in B1 & B2, with the greatest emphasis in B2. Let’s first examine B1. As an introduction in A1, Elihu askes Job a question: “Thinkest thou this to be right, that though saidst, My righteousness is more than God’s?” But rather than wait for Job to answer, in B1 Elihu answers that question himself.

B1 Job 35:4-7

I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee. Look unto the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than thou. If thou sinnest, what doest thou against him? or if thy transgressions be multiplied, what doest thou unto him? If thou be righteous, what givest thou him? or what receiveth he of thine hand?

One is reminded of Isaiah’s seminal words.

Isaiah 55:8-9

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Doctrinally Elihu is correct; however, he misplaces his anger. Notice the following accusations against innocent Job.

B2 Job 35:8-13

Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son of man. By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven? There they cry, but none giveth answer, because of the pride of evil men. Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.