Elihu's Question of Righteousness: Divine Justice Beyond Human Comprehension

Job 35 serves as a potent reminder that God's ways and justice are beyond human comprehension. We must trust in His wisdom and His righteousness, understanding that our actions impact those around us, and in our times of distress, we must turn to Him with humility and faith.

Verses 1-3: Questioning Job's Complaints

Elihu addresses Job's prior assertions that his righteousness should exempt him from suffering, and he has not gained anything by avoiding sin. Elihu interrogates Job’s assertion by asking how Job can argue that it benefits him more to sin than to act justly.

Verses 4-8: The Impact of Righteousness and Wickedness

Elihu argues that humans, through their actions, can neither harm nor benefit God. He states that our righteousness or wickedness only affects our fellow humans, not God, as He is transcendent and beyond human understanding.

Verses 9-12: The Cry for Justice

Elihu observes that people cry out under oppression and plead for relief from the arm of the powerful. Yet, they do not ask where God is, or acknowledge His providence, which leads to their cries going unanswered.

Verses 13-16: God’s Unfathomable Justice

Elihu ends by asserting that God does not listen to empty pleas and doesn't pay attention to the arrogance of the wicked. He accuses Job of speaking without knowledge and attributing unjust deeds to God.

Job 35 is a key part of the "Elihu speeches," where a relatively young man named Elihu adds his perspective to the ongoing discussion between Job and his three friends. In this chapter, Elihu challenges Job's understanding of divine justice, arguing that neither our righteousness nor wickedness affects God directly, but impacts those around us. This discourse forms an important facet of the ongoing exploration of human suffering, divine justice, and the seeming inscrutability of God's ways.

Divine Justice
The Transcendence of God
Limitations of Human Understanding
The Interconnectedness of Righteousness and SinThe Consequence of Sin
The Limitation of Human Judgment
The Benefit of RighteousnessElihu
JobUz

1. What was Elihu's argument about the impact of human actions on God in verses 4-8? How does this align with your understanding of God's nature?

2. In verse 9, why do you think people often cry out under oppression, but do not seek God?

3. How does Elihu's discourse in Job 35 challenge your perception of Divine Justice?

4. How does this chapter speak to the problem of evil and suffering in the world today?

5. Can you think of examples in your life where you felt like Job, believing that righteousness should prevent suffering?

6. How can you apply Elihu’s argument about the consequence of sin and the benefit of righteousness to your life?

7. Based on verse 16, how can speaking without knowledge cause a person to attribute unjust deeds to God?

8. What lessons can we learn from Elihu's discourse on how to approach God during times of suffering?

9. How do the themes of divine justice and human understanding affect your perception of God's role in your life?

10. Elihu says our actions affect those around us. Can you think of any examples in your life where your actions had significant impacts on others?

11. How does the concept of God's transcendence, as portrayed in Job 35, comfort or challenge you?

12. In what ways could you relate Job's predicament in Job 35 to present-day situations?

13. In your opinion, how does Job 35 enrich your understanding of God's character?

14. How can Job 35 guide you when you face seemingly unanswered prayers?

15. How does Elihu's message about humility and acknowledgement of God's providence apply to the current world?

16. What does Elihu's discourse teach about the correct perspective on human suffering?

17. How can Elihu's argument help you deal with feelings of injustice in your life?

18. What practical applications can you derive from Job 35 about managing personal suffering?

19. How can this chapter help you relate to others experiencing suffering and feeling distant from God?

20. How can Elihu's perspective on Divine Justice shape your relationship with God and others in your life?