Job 35

Job is taxed again, that he justified himself too much, v.1, etc. And is wished to consider the greatness of that Divine Majesty, 4. Also he is taught, wherefore God doth let some persons remain in great misery, 9. And then exhorted to hope in God, 14. Who punished him beneath his desert, 15. And to humble himself, 16.

1. Elihu answered further, [See above 34.on verse 1.] and said:

2. Dost thou hold that for right, [i.e. for a good and righteous cause, such as may abide the trial of the judgement: see above 34. The Annotations on verse 4.] (that) thou hast said; My righteousness is more then Gods? [Job hath not said this in terms, but Elihu meaneth to infer it from his words, which therefore he rehearseth in the next verse.]

3. For thou hast said, [Compare 9.20. and 10.15.] What should it profit shall I make by it, then by my sins? [by it, viz. By, or with my righteousness and godliness. Job had made this complaint, out of impatience, because that notwithstanding he was godly, he was so fearfully punished, and so unmercifully condemned.]

4. I shall give thee answer, [viz. Whereby to confute thee] and to thy friends with thee. [viz. That have opposed thee, and yet not answered thee to the full. And yet Eliphaz had said almost the very same before, chap.22.2,3. Which Elihu here insisteth upon, verse 6,7. Some would have this concern these, that held it with Job. Compare chap.18.2.]

5. Observe the Heaven, and behold; and look upon the uppermost clouds, [See Deut.33.on verse 26.] they are higher then thou. [the sense is, if the clouds be higher, how much more God! Is God higher, what advantage then canst thou bring to him by thy goodness, or damage by thy sins?]

6. If thou sin, what doest thou commit against him? [viz. Whereby thou mightiest be able to harm or damnify God] if thy transgressions be manifold, what doest thou to him? [i.e. what hurt, reproach or prejudice?]

7. If thou be righteous, what doest thou give him? [Understand nothing at all; i.e. he hath no benefit nor advantage by thy righteousness. Compare Psalm 16. Verse 2. And 50.10,12.] or what doth be receive out of thy hand?

8. Thy wickedness would be against a man as thou art; [viz. By doing hurt or harm unto him] and thy righteousness for a child of man, viz. By proving advantageous, and somewhat beneficial to him, child of man. See 1 Kings 8.on verse 39.]

9. Because of (their) greatness, [i.e. great power] they [viz. The wicked] make the oppressed to cry: [Elihu seemeth here to have an eye to what Job had said, above 14. Verse 12. Wrongfully interpreting the same, as if thereby Job had charged God with unrighteousness. For Job had given God his honour, verse 12. And laid the fault upon the oppressed themselves, verse 13.] they cry out [viz. The oppressed] because of the arm [i.e. the violence, oppression, tyranny, Comp. And see ab.22.on v.8.] of the great (ones) [i.e. of the great and mighty men of the world.]

10. But [Elihu giveth the reason, why it is that the oppressed are not relieved in their distress.] none saith, [viz. Of those, which are oppressed, Heb. But he saith not.] Where is God, my Maker? [Heb. My Makers, in the plural number, compare Genesis 20.on verse 13. And see likewise above 33.on verse 22.] that giveth the Psalms in the night? [i.e. who in the very night, when men ly down and rest, doth give them cause by his mercies and favours to sing and rejoice. Comp.Psalms 42:9.]

11. That maketh us more learned then the Beasts of the Earth, [i.e. That endueth us with reason, understanding and wisdom, above the brute beasts, so that we ought to know him aright, and to repair unto him in our distresses.] and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven.

12. There they call, [viz. To God in their distress, when they are oppressed] but he answereth not, because of the haughtiness of the wicked. [i.e. the insolent violence of those by whom they are oppressed; although their crying was not accompanied with piety: as the next verse sheweth. See likewise above verse 9, and 10.]

13. Certainly God shall not hear vanity, [i.e. Vain men, void and destitute of true faith, and unfeigned godliness. So vileness, for vile men, Psalm 12.9. deceit, for deceivers, Proverbs 12:24. falsehood, for false men, Proverbs 17:4. desire, for desirous, or covetous. Prov.21.26. See likewise above 24.20. and the annot. On the word iniquity] and the Almighty shall not look upon the same.

14. That thou hast said likewise, thou shalt not see him: [Elihu turneth himself to Job, rehearsing what he had said, above 23.v.8,9. The meaning is, if God do not hear the prayers of vain men. He shall not regard them neither, that pretend, they do not see God, and are not able to find him, when they would address themselves unto him in their troubles.] there is judgement (nevertheless) before his face: [i.e. although thou do conceive, that thou art not equally dealt withal, yet these is judgement and justice with God, to deal with everyone, as is sitting and right. Therefore put thy confidence in the LORD, and wait for a happy issue Psalms 37:5,6,7. And 55.23.] Wait then upon him.

15. But now, because it is nothing, [i.e. but a light and small punishment, in regard what Job had deserved. Elihu speaking this, turned about to the rest of the Auditors.] that is wrath hath visited (Job) [Gods wrath namely; of the word visited, see Gen.21.on v.1.] and he not very abundantly known him, [viz. God; Some read this verse thus; But now that his wrath had not visited (Job) and he not acknowledged him in great abundance. Understand this of Jobs former prosperous condition, and that therefore, not being used to adversity he had spoken thus impatiently.]

16. Therefore Job hath opened his mouth in vanity, [i.e. unadvisedly, undiscreetly, compare above 27.on v.12.] and multiplied words without knowledge.