If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? If you multiply your transgressions, what do you do to Him? If you sinThe Hebrew word for "sin" here is "חָטָא" (chata), which means to miss the mark or to err. In the context of Job, this word emphasizes the human tendency to fall short of God's standards. Sin, in its essence, is a deviation from God's will and purpose. From a conservative Christian perspective, sin is not just a personal failing but a spiritual condition that separates humanity from God. The rhetorical question posed here suggests that human sin does not diminish God's sovereignty or His divine nature. It serves as a reminder that while sin affects our relationship with God, it does not alter His eternal character. how does it affect Him? If your transgressions are many what does it do to Him? Persons / Places / Events 1. ElihuA young man who speaks to Job and his friends, offering a different perspective on Job's suffering. Elihu emphasizes God's greatness and justice. 2. Job A righteous man who suffers immense loss and physical affliction. He seeks to understand the reason for his suffering and maintains his integrity throughout his trials. 3. God The Almighty Creator, whose nature and character are central to the discussions in the Book of Job. Elihu speaks about God's transcendence and justice. 4. The Friends of Job Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who attempt to explain Job's suffering through traditional wisdom, often suggesting that Job's suffering is due to sin. 5. The Land of Uz The setting of the Book of Job, a place of ancient wisdom and the backdrop for Job's trials and dialogues. Teaching Points God's TranscendenceGod is not diminished by human sin. His nature and essence remain unchanged regardless of human actions. The Nature of Sin Sin primarily affects the sinner and their relationship with God, rather than impacting God's character or sovereignty. Human Responsibility While sin does not affect God, it has consequences for the individual and their community, emphasizing the need for repentance and righteousness. God's Justice and Mercy Understanding God's transcendence should lead to a deeper appreciation of His justice and mercy, encouraging believers to live in a way that honors Him. The Role of Suffering Suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin, as seen in Job's account. Believers are called to trust in God's wisdom and sovereignty in times of trial. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Elihu's perspective on sin and its impact on God challenge or affirm your understanding of God's nature?2. In what ways can recognizing God's transcendence influence your response to personal sin and repentance? 3. How does the account of Job and his friends' counsel help you discern the difference between human wisdom and divine wisdom? 4. Reflect on a time when you experienced suffering. How did your understanding of God's justice and mercy shape your response? 5. How can the teachings in Job 35:6 encourage you to live a life that honors God, despite the knowledge that your sin does not affect His essence? Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 51David's acknowledgment of sin against God alone highlights the personal nature of sin and its primary offense against God, similar to Elihu's point about sin's impact on God. Romans 3:23 This verse underscores the universality of sin, which aligns with Elihu's assertion that human sin does not diminish God's greatness or affect His essence. Isaiah 59:2 This passage speaks to the separation sin causes between humans and God, reinforcing Elihu's message that sin primarily affects the sinner's relationship with God.
People Elihu, JobPlaces UzTopics Accomplish, Affect, Doest, Effect, Effectest, Hast, Multiplied, Sin, Sinned, Sinnest, Sins, Transgressions, Worse, WrongDictionary of Bible Themes Job 35:5Library Questions which Ought to be AskedELIHU 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 Spurgeon -- Songs in the Night 'Why Should I?' The Introduction to the Work with Some General Account of Its Design The New Song Whether the Motive of Anger is Always Something done against the one who is Angry? Whether a Man May Merit Anything from God? Whether Beneficence is an Act of Charity? Whether a Human Action is Meritorious or Demeritorious Before God, According as it is Good or Evil? Whether Sin is Aggravated by Reason of Its Causing More Harm? 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. Whether a Man Can Merit Anything from God Whether it is Necessary for the Salvation of All, that they Should Believe Explicitly in the Mystery of Christ? "They have Corrupted Themselves; their Spot is not the Spot of his Children; they are a Perverse and Crooked Generation. " Job Links Job 35:6 NIVJob 35:6 NLT Job 35:6 ESV Job 35:6 NASB Job 35:6 KJV Job 35:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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