Job 35:1
And Elihu went on to say:
Then Elihu
The introduction of Elihu in this verse marks a significant moment in the Book of Job. Elihu, whose name means "He is my God" in Hebrew, is a younger figure who enters the dialogue after Job's three friends have failed to provide satisfactory answers to Job's suffering. His presence suggests a fresh perspective, and his youth implies a sense of vigor and new insight. Historically, Elihu's speeches are seen as a bridge between the human reasoning of Job's friends and the divine response that follows. His role is to prepare the way for God's voice, emphasizing the importance of humility and the limitations of human wisdom.

continued
The word "continued" indicates that Elihu is in the midst of a discourse, suggesting that his speech is part of a larger argument or narrative. This continuity implies that Elihu's thoughts are not isolated but are part of a comprehensive attempt to address Job's situation. In the context of the Book of Job, this continuation is crucial as it reflects the ongoing struggle to understand divine justice and human suffering. Theologically, it underscores the perseverance needed in seeking truth and understanding, especially in times of trial.

saying
The act of "saying" here is not just about speaking words but delivering a message with authority and purpose. In the Hebrew context, speech is powerful and often seen as an extension of one's character and wisdom. Elihu's speech is intended to convey not only his own understanding but also to challenge Job and his friends to reconsider their perspectives. This act of speaking is a reminder of the power of words in shaping beliefs and attitudes, and it calls readers to listen carefully to the wisdom being imparted. In a broader biblical sense, it reflects the importance of prophetic voices that call people back to a right understanding of God and His ways.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Elihu
A young man who speaks in the Book of Job, offering a different perspective from Job's three older friends. Elihu is portrayed as being passionate and somewhat indignant about the way Job and his friends have been discussing God's justice.

2. Job
The central figure of the Book of Job, a man who experiences immense suffering and seeks to understand the reasons behind his trials while maintaining his faith in God.

3. The Dialogue
Elihu's speeches are part of a larger dialogue in the Book of Job, where Job and his friends discuss the nature of suffering, justice, and God's role in human affairs.
Teaching Points
The Role of Youth in Wisdom
Elihu, as a younger man, demonstrates that wisdom is not solely the domain of the elderly. God can use anyone, regardless of age, to convey truth.

Understanding God's Justice
Elihu challenges us to consider that God's justice may not always align with human expectations. We are called to trust in His perfect wisdom and timing.

The Importance of Humility
Elihu's speeches remind us to approach God with humility, recognizing our limited understanding and the vastness of His divine plan.

The Value of Listening
Before speaking, Elihu listens to the entire discourse between Job and his friends. This teaches us the importance of listening fully before offering our perspective.

God's Sovereignty in Suffering
Elihu's perspective encourages believers to see suffering as an opportunity to trust in God's sovereign plan, even when His purposes are not immediately clear.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Elihu's role as a younger speaker challenge our perceptions of who can possess and share wisdom?

2. In what ways does Elihu's perspective on God's justice differ from that of Job's other friends, and what can we learn from this?

3. How can we apply the principle of trusting in God's higher ways (as seen in Isaiah 55:8-9) to our own experiences of suffering or confusion?

4. What steps can we take to ensure we are listening fully and humbly before offering our opinions in discussions about faith and suffering?

5. How does Elihu's emphasis on God's sovereignty and justice encourage us to respond to our own trials and challenges?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Job 32-37
Elihu's speeches span these chapters, where he attempts to address Job's complaints and the arguments of his friends, emphasizing God's greatness and justice.

Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage encourages trust in the Lord and not relying solely on one's understanding, which aligns with Elihu's emphasis on God's wisdom and justice beyond human comprehension.

Isaiah 55:8-9
These verses highlight that God's thoughts and ways are higher than ours, a theme that resonates with Elihu's argument about the transcendence of God's justice.
Songs in the NightGrenville KleiserJob 35:1
Elihu's Third Speech: the Profit of GodlinessE. Johnson Job 35:1-16
People
Elihu, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Answereth, Continued, Elihu, Eli'hu, Moreover, Spake, Spoke
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 35:1-3

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Library
Questions which Ought to be Asked
ELIHU PERCEIVED the great ones of the earth oppressing the needy, and he traced their domineering tyranny to their forgetfulness of God: "None saith, Where is God my Maker?" Surely, had they thought of God they could not have acted so unjustly. Worse still, if I understand Elihu aright, he complained that even among the oppressed there was the same departure in heart from the Lord: they cried out by reason of the arm of the mighty, but unhappily they did not cry unto God their Maker, though he waits
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

Songs in the Night
"But none saith, Where is God my Maker, who giveth songs in the night?"--Job 35:10. ELIHU was a wise man, exceeding wise, though not as wise as the all-wise Jehovah, who sees light in the clouds, and finds order in confusion; hence Elihu, being much puzzled at beholding Job thus afflicted, cast about him to find the cause of it, and he very wisely hit upon one of the most likely reasons, although it did not happen to be the right one in Job's case. He said within himself--"Surely, if men be tried
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 44: 1898

Spurgeon -- Songs in the Night
Charles Haddon Spurgeon was born at Kelvedon, Essex, England, in 1834. He was one of the most powerful and popular preachers of his time, and his extraordinary force of character and wonderful enthusiasm attracted vast audiences. His voice was unusually powerful, clear and melodious, and he used it with consummate skill. In the preparation of his sermons he meditated much but wrote not a word, so that he was in the truest sense a purely extemporaneous speaker. Sincerity, intensity, imagination and
Grenville Kleiser—The world's great sermons, Volume 8

'Why Should I?'
Thou saidst, What advantage will it be? What profit shall I have, if I be cleansed from my sin? I will answer thee, and thy companions with thee.' (Job xxxv. 3, 4.) In reading these words I have no wish to enter into the controversy between Job and his friends as to the relationship of physical suffering to sin, but to emphasize a certain mental attitude which they indicate, and which often expresses itself in relation to other things. The human mind is so constituted that men will not commit
T. H. Howard—Standards of Life and Service

The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its Design
. 1, 2.That true religion is very rare, appears from comparing the nature of it with the lives and characters of men around us.--3. The want of it, matter of just lamentation.--4. To remedy this evil is the design of the ensuing Treatise.--5, 6. To which, therefore, the Author earnestly bespeaks the attention of the reader, as his own heart is deeply interested in it.--7 to 12. A general plan of the Work; of which the first fifteen chapters relate chiefly to the Rise of Religion, and the remaining
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

The New Song
Heinrich Suso Job xxxv. 10 O Lord, in my songs I have praised Thee For all that was sweet and was fair; And now a new song would I sing Thee, A song that is wondrous and rare. A song of the heart that is broken, A song of the sighs and the tears, The sickness, the want, and the sadness Of the days of our pilgrimage years. A song of the widows and orphans, Of the weary and hungry and sad-- Loud praise of the will Thou has broken, The will of the young and the glad. A song of the outcasts and martyrs,
Frances Bevan—Hymns of Ter Steegen, Suso, and Others

Whether the Motive of Anger is Always Something done against the one who is Angry?
Objection 1: It would seem that the motive of anger is not always something done against the one who is angry. Because man, by sinning, can do nothing against God; since it is written (Job 35:6): "If thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against Him?" And yet God is spoken of as being angry with man on account of sin, according to Ps. 105:40: "The Lord was exceedingly angry with His people." Therefore it is not always on account of something done against him, that a man is angry. Objection
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Man May Merit Anything from God?
Objection 1: It would seem that a man can merit nothing from God. For no one, it would seem, merits by giving another his due. But by all the good we do, we cannot make sufficient return to God, since yet more is His due, as also the Philosopher says (Ethic. viii, 14). Hence it is written (Lk. 17:10): "When you have done all these things that are commanded you, say: We are unprofitable servants; we have done that which we ought to do." Therefore a man can merit nothing from God. Objection 2: Further,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Beneficence is an Act of Charity?
Objection 1: It would seem that beneficence is not an act of charity. For charity is chiefly directed to God. Now we cannot benefit God, according to Job 35:7: "What shalt thou give Him? or what shall He receive of thy hand?" Therefore beneficence is not an act of charity. Objection 2: Further, beneficence consists chiefly in making gifts. But this belongs to liberality. Therefore beneficence is an act of liberality and not of charity. Objection 3: Further, what a man gives, he gives either as being
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Human Action is Meritorious or Demeritorious Before God, According as it is Good or Evil?
Objection 1: It would seem that man's actions, good or evil, are not meritorious or demeritorious in the sight of God. Because, as stated above [1202](A[3]), merit and demerit imply relation to retribution for good or harm done to another. But a man's action, good or evil, does no good or harm to God; for it is written (Job 35:6,7): "If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt Him? . . . And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give Him?" Therefore a human action, good or evil, is not meritorious or demeritorious
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Sin is Aggravated by Reason of Its Causing More Harm?
Objection 1: It would seem that a sin is not aggravated by reason of its causing more harm. Because the harm done is an issue consequent to the sinful act. But the issue of an act does not add to its goodness or malice, as stated above ([1736]Q[20], A[5]). Therefore a sin is not aggravated on account of its causing more harm. Objection 2: Further, harm is inflicted by sins against our neighbor. Because no one wishes to harm himself: and no one can harm God, according to Job 35:6, 8: "If thy iniquities
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

An Essay on the Mosaic Account of the Creation and Fall of Man
THERE are not a few difficulties in the account, which Moses has given of the creation of the world, and of the formation, and temptation, and fall of our first parents. Some by the six days of the creation have understood as many years. Whilst others have thought the creation of the world instantaneous: and that the number of days mentioned by Moses is only intended to assist our conception, who are best able to think of things in order of succession. No one part of this account is fuller of difficulties,
Nathaniel Lardner—An Essay on the Mosaic Account of the Creation and Fall of Man

The Advanced Christian Reminded of the Mercies of God, and Exhorted to the Exercise of Habitual Love to Him, and Joy in Him.
1. A holy joy in God, our privilege as well as our duty.--2. The Christian invited to the exercise of it.--3. By the consideration of temporal mercies.--4. And of spiritual favors.--5. By the views of eternal happiness.--6. And of the mercies of God to others, the living and the dead.--7. The chapter closes with an exhortation to this heavenly exercise. And with an example of the genuine workings of this grateful joy in God. 1. I WOULD now suppose my reader to find, on an examination of his spiritual
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul

Whether a Man Can Merit Anything from God
Whether a Man can Merit Anything from God We proceed to the first article thus: 1. It seems that a man cannot merit anything from God. No one merits a reward by repaying what he owes to another. But we cannot even fully repay what we owe to God, by all the good that we do. For we always owe him more than this, as the philosopher says in 8 Ethics 14. Hence it is said in Luke 17:10: "when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that
Aquinas—Nature and Grace

Whether it is Necessary for the Salvation of All, that they Should Believe Explicitly in the Mystery of Christ?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is not necessary for the salvation of all that they should believe explicitly in the mystery of Christ. For man is not bound to believe explicitly what the angels are ignorant about: since the unfolding of faith is the result of Divine revelation, which reaches man by means of the angels, as stated above [2287](A[6]; [2288]FP, Q[111], A[1]). Now even the angels were in ignorance of the mystery of the Incarnation: hence, according to the commentary of Dionysius (Coel.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

"They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. "
Deut. xxxii. 5.--"They have corrupted themselves; their spot is not the spot of his children; they are a perverse and crooked generation." We doubt this people would take well with such a description of themselves as Moses gives. It might seem strange to us, that God should have chosen such a people out of all the nations of the earth, and they to be so rebellious and perverse, if our own experience did not teach us how free his choice is, and how long-suffering he is, and constant in his choice.
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning

Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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