Job 35:2 | KingComments | STEP | Job has suggested that God-fearing living is of no use to God. Therefore, Elihu continues to answer Job and to teach him about true Godliness, possibly after a pause to give Job an opportunity for a response, which, however, does not come ( ). He again quotes what Job has said ( ; ). He says to Job, in questioning form, whether he finds it righteous that his “righteousness is more than God’s”. Job thinks that he is right in judging his situation and that God is wrong in dealing with him like this. Elihu explains in with a new quote from Job what Job has said in . The word “for” indicates this. For Job has asserted that not sinning brings no more benefit than sinning (cf. ). He has not sinned and yet God has brought the most terrible disasters upon him. Well, then there is no point in fearing God either. Paul speaks very differently when he says that Godliness with contentment brings benefits, even great gain ( ; cf. ). But Elihu – “I” has emphasis – will answer Job with words that will make it clear to him that he is very much mistaken ( ). That answer is not only for Job, but also for his friends. They too must listen to Elihu carefully because they have accused Job from their wrong view of God. In Elihu speaks about God’s greatness in creation. At the end of his speech he will talk about nothing else. Then, that is from and onward, he speaks about the clouds and the weather to point to God’s control of all things. He has arranged things in creation in such a way that we cannot influence them. He is so much higher than Job. Elihu points Job to the heavens and the clouds above him. In comparison, he must feel insignificant. They are enormously high above him. What can he do with them? Nothing at all. He can’t touch them. He can’t reach them. They’re completely beyond his control. The heavens stretch motionless above him. The clouds float by. He can’t exert influence on either of them, causing them to change place or course. So it is with God. If Job or a man sins against God, it does not change anything about or in Him ( ; cf. ). He is always the same God Who is infinitely high above him. Even if a man transgresses His commandments many times, it does not negatively affect Him, it does not harm Him. Man cannot take anything away from Him. The same applies in the opposite case ( ). If Job or a man lives as a righteous man, God does not become richer as a result. Man cannot give Him anything that He does not possess, for everything is His. God does not depend on anyone; He lacks nothing. He has all happiness in Himself, He is “the blessed God” ( ). No one can decrease or increase His happiness. What He can do, is to let others share in it. That is the great subject of the New Testament: the love of God. No, Job’s bad or good deeds have no effect on God. What Job does only affects other people. If he commits wickedness and thereby dishonors God’s Name, it only affects his equal, a man like himself ( ). He damages them because of his wickedness. The same goes for a righteous deed he would do. Only a human being would benefit from this.

‏ Job 35:2

God Doesn’t Need Anything From Anyone

Job has suggested that God-fearing living is of no use to God. Therefore, Elihu continues to answer Job and to teach him about true Godliness, possibly after a pause to give Job an opportunity for a response, which, however, does not come (Job 35:1). He again quotes what Job has said (Job 35:2; Job 32:2). He says to Job, in questioning form, whether he finds it righteous that his “righteousness is more than God’s”. Job thinks that he is right in judging his situation and that God is wrong in dealing with him like this.

Elihu explains in Job 35:3 with a new quote from Job what Job has said in Job 35:2. The word “for” indicates this. For Job has asserted that not sinning brings no more benefit than sinning (cf. Job 9:22 ; Job 10:15). He has not sinned and yet God has brought the most terrible disasters upon him. Well, then there is no point in fearing God either. Paul speaks very differently when he says that Godliness with contentment brings benefits, even great gain (1Tim 6:6; cf. Mal 3:14).

But Elihu – “I” has emphasis – will answer Job with words that will make it clear to him that he is very much mistaken (Job 35:4). That answer is not only for Job, but also for his friends. They too must listen to Elihu carefully because they have accused Job from their wrong view of God.

In Job 35:5 Elihu speaks about God’s greatness in creation. At the end of his speech he will talk about nothing else. Then, that is from Job 36:26 and onward, he speaks about the clouds and the weather to point to God’s control of all things. He has arranged things in creation in such a way that we cannot influence them. He is so much higher than Job.

Elihu points Job to the heavens and the clouds above him. In comparison, he must feel insignificant. They are enormously high above him. What can he do with them? Nothing at all. He can’t touch them. He can’t reach them. They’re completely beyond his control. The heavens stretch motionless above him. The clouds float by. He can’t exert influence on either of them, causing them to change place or course.

So it is with God. If Job or a man sins against God, it does not change anything about or in Him (Job 35:6; cf. Jer 7:19). He is always the same God Who is infinitely high above him. Even if a man transgresses His commandments many times, it does not negatively affect Him, it does not harm Him. Man cannot take anything away from Him.

The same applies in the opposite case (Job 35:7). If Job or a man lives as a righteous man, God does not become richer as a result. Man cannot give Him anything that He does not possess, for everything is His. God does not depend on anyone; He lacks nothing. He has all happiness in Himself, He is “the blessed God” (1Tim 1:11). No one can decrease or increase His happiness. What He can do, is to let others share in it. That is the great subject of the New Testament: the love of God.

No, Job’s bad or good deeds have no effect on God. What Job does only affects other people. If he commits wickedness and thereby dishonors God’s Name, it only affects his equal, a man like himself (Job 35:8). He damages them because of his wickedness. The same goes for a righteous deed he would do. Only a human being would benefit from this.