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Texts -- Job 35:1-16 (NET)

Context
Elihu’s Third Speech
35:1 Then Elihu answered : 35:2 “Do you think this to be just : when you say , ‘My right before God .’ 35:3 But you say , ‘What will it profit you,’ and, ‘What do I gain by not sinning ?’ 35:4 I will reply to you, and to your friends with you. 35:5 Gaze at the heavens and see ; consider the clouds , which are higher than you! 35:6 If you sin , how does it affect God? If your transgressions are many , what does it do to him? 35:7 If you are righteous , what do you give to God, or what does he receive from your hand ? 35:8 Your wickedness affects only a person like yourself, and your righteousness only other people . 35:9 “People cry out because of the excess of oppression ; they cry out for help because of the power of the mighty . 35:10 But no one says , ‘Where is God , my Creator , who gives songs in the night , 35:11 who teaches us more than the wild animals of the earth , and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky ?’ 35:12 Then they cry out – but he does not answer – because of the arrogance of the wicked . 35:13 Surely it is an empty cry – God does not hear it; the Almighty does not take notice of it. 35:14 How much less, then, when you say that you do not perceive him, that the case is before him and you are waiting for him! 35:15 And further , when you say that his anger does not punish , and that he does not know transgression ! 35:16 So Job opens his mouth to no purpose ; without knowledge he multiplies words .”

Pericope

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Sermon Illustrations

A Song in the Heart; Psalm 42:8

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • What this book is all about has been the subject of considerable debate. Many people think God gave it to us to provide His answer to the age-old problem of suffering. In particular, many believe it is in the Bible to help us...
  • I. Prologue chs. 1-2A. Job's character 1:1-5B. Job's calamities 1:6-2:101. The first test 1:6-222. The second test 2:1-10C. Job's comforters 2:11-13II. The dialogue concerning the basis of the divine-human relationship 3:1-42...
  • The writer composed the prologue and epilogue of this book in prose narrative and the main body (3:1-42:6) in poetry. The prologue and epilogue form a frame around the main emphasis of the revelation, the poetic section, and ...
  • Because the speech in this chapter is more soliloquy than dialogue some scholars have concluded that someone other than Job spoke it: Zophar, Bildad, or God. One writer argued for its being a speech by none of the characters,...
  • As was common in ancient Near Eastern judicial cases, Job concluded his summary defense with an oath of innocence. He did so in the form of a negative confession complete with self-imprecations.127He concluded with a challeng...
  • Many critical scholars believe that a later editor inserted chapters 32-37 in the text of Job.135Most conservatives believe there is ample external and internal evidence indicating that this section of chapters fits into the ...
  • Elihu began by voicing his respect for Job's three friends (vv. 6-10). They were older than he, and for this reason he said he had refrained from speaking until now. However he had become convinced that advancing age does not...
  • We could chart the differences in Elihu's first three speeches this way.Elihu's SpeechJob's question that Elihu answeredJob's charge that Elihu refutedFirstWhy doesn't God respond to me?God is insensitive (ch. 33).SecondWhy d...
  • Job had said that living a righteous life does not benefit a person since God does not consistently bless the righteous and punish the wicked in this life (9:30-31; cf. 34:9; 35:3). Elihu thought this assertion was hardly a s...
  • Elihu made two responses to what he inferred was Job's attitude. First, he claimed that God is under no obligation to react to people's actions be they good or bad. He is free to respond or not respond as He chooses. God is a...
  • Andersen, Francis I. Job. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries series. Leicester, Eng. and Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1976.Archer, Gleason L., Jr. A Survey of Old Testament Introduction. Revised ed. Chicago: Moody...
  • The Pharisees, who considered themselves enlightened, now tried to badger the formerly blind man into denying that he saw the light.9:24 The Pharisees now questioned the healed man again. They had already decided that Jesus w...
  • This doxology corresponds to the one at the end of chapter 8 where Paul concluded his exposition of God's plan for bringing His righteousness to humankind (8:31-39). There the emphasis was on the people of God. Here it is on ...
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