In his speech Elihu again and again, perhaps without noticing it himself, repeats...
In his speech Elihu again and again, perhaps without noticing it himself, repeats arguments already presented to Job by his friends. He says to Job: what concern is your righteousness to God? Both righteousness and sinfulness are human matters; they concern people themselves, but not God at all (vv. 2-8). In this case, however, Elihu is more consistent than Job's friends, since from the beginning he bears witness to Job about a God who has no concern for so small a thing as an individual person and his life. In his own way, though, Elihu still allows for God's providence in human affairs, even if this brings no relief to a concrete person with his problems. Elihu says to Job: look how many people in the world suffer from injustice, yet none of them accuses God of their misfortunes (vv. 9-11). They wait patiently for judgment; you should endure too, Elihu tells Job (vv. 13-14).
Here Elihu remains entirely consistent: his God is the Creator and Lord of the universe, not the God of a particular, concrete person, and He acts on the scale of the universe as well. Someday, perhaps, He will get around to the individual person, including Job, but this will happen, so to speak, according to schedule. Elihu's God will certainly not change His plans for the sake of one individual person; He has other tasks, far larger in scale. For now Job had better keep silent and not irritate God with bold speeches, so as not to deserve an even harsher punishment from Him (vv. 15-16). Of course, Elihu does not deny the fact that life on earth could be different if not for "the wickedness of evil people," because of which God does not answer those who complain about oppressors (v. 12). More than that, Elihu is sure that everything will come out well in the end, that the day of judgment will arrive (v. 13). Everything simply takes time, and God is not yet free for such small matters.
As Elihu continues his testimony, he remains true to himself. His God is not only the Lord of the universe; He is also the lord of all people, but precisely of all, not of each one individually. God's power will show itself in relation to each person, but in its own time, which must be awaited. Elihu's God resembles an earthly king whom it is not easy to reach: there is a state machine, there is an established order for resolving matters, and it is impossible to obtain anything from the king outside that established order. An attempt to appeal directly to the king will provoke nothing from him but anger. Such an image of God once again confirmed that Elihu's God has no concern for an individual person with his problems and misfortunes, his righteousness and sinfulness.
35 Our righteousness profits ourselves, not God, Job 35:1-7.
Our wickedness hurts not him, but other men, whom God would help, if they cried to him sincerely, Job 35:8-13.
Why he delayed to help Job, Job 35:14-16.
35:2 Thou saidst - Not that Job said this in express terms, but he said those things from which this might seem to follow, as that God had punished him more than he deserved.
35:3 Thou saidst - Another imputation upon God. Unto thee - Unto me; such changes of persons being frequent in the Hebrew language.What profit, etc - God does not reward so much as I deserve. But it was not fair to charge this upon Job, which he had neither directly nor indirectly affirmed.
35:5 Clouds, etc - They are far above us, and God is far above them.How much then is he out of the reach either of our sins or our services?
35:9 Cry - Thus one man's wickedness may hurt another.
35:10 None - Few or none of the great numbers of oppressed persons.God - They cry out to men, but they seek not God, and therefore if God do not hear their cries it is not unjust. Maker - Who alone made me, and who only can deliver me. Who when our condition is ever so dark and sad, can turn our darkness into light, can quickly put a new song in our mouth, a thanksgiving unto our God.
35:11 Who - This is an aggravation of mens neglect of God in their misery. God hath given men, what he hath denied to beasts, wisdom to know God and themselves. Therefore they are inexcusable, for not using that wisdom, by calling on God in the time of trouble.
35:12 Because - God doth not answer their cries, because they are both evil, wicked and impenitent, and proud, unhumbled for those sins for which God brought these miseries upon them.
35:13 Vanity - Vain persons, that have no wisdom or piety in them.
35:14 See him - Thou canst not understand his dealings with thee.Here Elihu answers another objection of Job's: and tells him that though God may for a season delay to answer, yet he will certainly do him right. Judgment - Justice is at his tribunal, and in all his ways and administrations. Trust - Instead of murmuring, repent of what is past, humble thyself under God's hand, wait patiently in his way, 'till deliverance come; for it will certainly come if thou dost nothinder it.
35:15 Because - Because Job doth not acknowledge God's justice and his own sins. He - God. Anger - Hath laid grievous afflictions upon him. He - Job is not sensible of it, so as to be humbled under God's hand.