There they cry - They bewail their calamities, but sorrow not for the cause of them; they cry against their oppressors, but they call not upon God. Because of the pride of evil men - Or מפני mippeney , from the face, presence, or influence, of the pride of wicked men. They cry for deliverance from the pride of wicked men; but they are not heard, because they cry not to God. read more
In this short chapter, once more Elihu addresses himself to Job, first (verses 1-8) answering his complaint that a life of righteousness has brought him no correspondent blessings; and then (verses 9-14) explaining to him that his prayers and appeals to God have probably not been answered because they were not preferred in a right spirit, i.e. with faith and humility. Finally (verse 15, 16), he condemns Job for haughtiness and arrogance, and reiterates the charge that he "multiplies... read more
Elihu to Job: the trial of Job continued. I. JOB 'S OFFENCE RESTATED . Returning to the charge, Elihu accuses Job of having given utterance to two dangerous assertions. 1 . That his ( Job ' s ) righteousness was greater than God ' s. "Thinkest thou this to be right?"—dost thou hold this for a sound judgment?—"that thou saidst, My righteousness is more than God's?" (verse 2). That Job never used this expression may be true; but that Elihu does not unfairly represent the... read more
Elihu's third speech: the profit of godliness. I. FOLLY OF THE OPINION THAT THERE IS NO PROFIT IN GODLINESS . ( Job 35:1-8 .) A good man, says Elihu, would not speak as Job has done, questioning whether godliness is more profitable than sin. But what is the refutation of this dangerous notion? The speaker points to the blessed self-sufficiency of God, the exalted One in the heavens. In this light man must appear alone as one who draws advantage from his righteousness... read more
God's independence of man. I. GOD IS NOT DEPENDENT ON MAN 'S CONDUCT . We must agree in the main with what Elihu here states. God is serf-sufficient, and he owns all things. "The cattle upon a thousand hills are his." If he were hungry he would not need to tell us. Our most active service is not necessary to God, our most virulent malignity cannot really touch him. He dwells in the fulness and serenity of his own perfection. II. GOD CANNOT BE BRIBED BY MAN 'S ... read more
Thy wickedness may hurt a man as thou art; and thy righteousness may profit the son (rather, a son) of man . Job must not think, Elihu means, that, because his good actions benefit and his bad actions injure his fellow men, therefore they must also in the one case injure and in the other benefit God. The cases are not parallel. God is too remote, too powerful, too great, to be touched by his actions. Job has done wrong, therefore, to expect that God would necessarily reward his... read more
By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry ; rather, by reason of the multitude of oppressions , men cry out. It is not Job only who cries to God. Oppressors are numerous; the oppressed are numerous; everywhere there are complaints and outcries. They cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. The oppressors are, for the most part, the mighty of the earth—kings, princes, nobles (see Isaiah 1:23 ; Isaiah 3:14 , Isaiah 3:15 ; Hosea 5:10 ; Amos 4:1... read more
The cry that is not unto God. Elihu continues to press Job severely. His teachings run in the lines of truth, and they approach more nearly to the design of Job's suffering than those of Job's friends, but they fail actually to reach it. He makes many sagacious reflections on human conduct. This is one. There is a cry raised by the suffering ones under the heavy burden of their multiplied oppressions, and "by reason of the arm of the mighty." How often is it that these address not their cry... read more
Job had made it a frequent subject of complaint that God did not hear, or at any rate did not answer, his prayers and cries for relief. Elihu answers that Job's case is not exceptional. Those who cry out against oppression and suffering frequently receive no answer, but it is because they "ask amiss." Job should have patience and trust. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 35:11
Who teacheth us more than the beasts - " The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib; but Israel doth not know me, my people do not consider;" Isaiah 1:3 . Beasts, bards, fowls, and in many cases pond-fishes, know and seem thankful to the hand that feeds them; while man, made much more noble than they, gifted with the greatest powers, privileged with the most important benefits, considers not the Lord, nor discerns the operation of his hand. Quadrupeds, reptiles, and fowls,... read more