Job 35:14
How much less, then, when you say that you do not see Him, that your case is before Him and you must wait for Him,
How much less
This phrase is a rhetorical device used by Elihu to emphasize the futility of Job's complaints. In Hebrew, the expression underscores a comparison, suggesting that if God does not respond to the cries of the arrogant, how much less will He respond to those who claim they cannot see Him. This highlights the importance of humility and faith in the unseen, a recurring theme in the wisdom literature of the Bible.

when you say
Elihu is directly addressing Job's statements, pointing out the inconsistency in Job's reasoning. The Hebrew root for "say" (אָמַר, 'amar) often implies not just speaking but declaring or asserting something with conviction. Elihu challenges Job's assertions, urging him to reconsider his stance and recognize the limitations of human understanding in the face of divine wisdom.

that you do not see Him
This phrase reflects Job's struggle with the hiddenness of God. The Hebrew concept of "seeing" (רָאָה, ra'ah) often implies understanding or perceiving. Job's inability to "see" God is not just physical but also spiritual and intellectual. This echoes the broader biblical theme that God's ways and presence are often beyond human comprehension, requiring faith and trust.

that your case is before Him
Elihu reminds Job that his situation is already known to God. The term "case" (מִשְׁפָּט, mishpat) in Hebrew refers to justice or judgment, suggesting that Job's grievances are under divine consideration. This assurance is meant to comfort Job, reinforcing the belief that God is just and aware of human affairs, even when He seems silent.

and you must wait for Him
The call to "wait" (יָחַל, yachal) is a central theme in the wisdom literature, emphasizing patience and trust in God's timing. Waiting on God is an act of faith, acknowledging His sovereignty and perfect timing. This exhortation to wait is a reminder that God's plans and purposes unfold according to His divine schedule, not human impatience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Job
A man of great faith and integrity who undergoes severe trials and suffering. His account is central to understanding the themes of suffering and divine justice.

2. Elihu
A younger friend of Job who speaks in chapters 32-37. He offers a different perspective on Job's suffering, emphasizing God's justice and sovereignty.

3. God
The ultimate judge and sovereign ruler, whose ways and thoughts are higher than human understanding. Elihu points to God's justice and timing.

4. The Heavenly Court
The setting of the initial chapters of Job, where God and Satan discuss Job's faithfulness. This context underscores the theme of divine justice and testing.

5. The Land of Uz
The setting of Job's life and trials, representing a place of both blessing and suffering.
Teaching Points
Understanding Divine Timing
God's timing is perfect, even when it seems delayed from our perspective. Trusting in His timing requires faith and patience.

Seeing Beyond Our Circumstances
Like Job, we may not always see God's hand in our trials, but faith assures us that He is present and aware of our situation.

The Importance of Patience
Patience is a virtue that is developed through trials. Waiting on God strengthens our faith and character.

God's Justice is Certain
Even when we do not see immediate justice, we can be confident that God is just and will ultimately set things right.

Faith in the Unseen
Our faith is often tested when we cannot see God's work. Trusting in His unseen presence is a key aspect of spiritual maturity.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does understanding God's perfect timing help us cope with unanswered prayers or delayed justice?

2. In what ways can we cultivate patience while waiting for God's intervention in our lives?

3. How can Job's experience and Elihu's counsel encourage us when we feel that God is silent or distant?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to strengthen our faith in God's unseen presence during difficult times?

5. How do other scriptures, like Psalm 27:14 and Isaiah 40:31, reinforce the message of waiting on the Lord found in Job 35:14?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Psalm 27:14
This verse encourages believers to wait for the Lord, reinforcing the theme of patience and trust in God's timing.

Isaiah 40:31
Highlights the strength and renewal that come from waiting on the Lord, connecting to the idea of divine timing and justice.

James 5:7-8
Encourages patience in suffering, similar to Job's experience, and emphasizes the coming of the Lord as a time of justice and restoration.
A God Who Hides HimselfBishop Dehon.Job 35:14
From Despair to TrustW.F. Adeney Job 35:14
The Counsel of Elihu to the DespondentN. Adams, D.D.Job 35:14
Elihu's Third Speech: the Profit of GodlinessE. Johnson Job 35:1-16
People
Elihu, Job
Places
Uz
Topics
Although, Behold, Beholdest, Canst, Case, Cause, Judgment, Less, Listen, Sayest, Stay, Though, Trust, Wait, Waitest, Waiting, Yea, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Job 35:13

     5845   emptiness

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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