Job 35:12

_BUT NONE SAITH, WHERE IS GOD MY MAKER, WHO GIVETH SONGS IN THE NIGHT;_ But the reason is, that the innocent sufferers often do not humbly seek God for succour; so to their "pride" is to be laid the blame of their ruin: also because (Job 35:13) they, as Job, instead of waiting God's time in pious trust, are prone to despair of His justice, when it is not immediately visible (Job 33:19). If the sufferer would apply to God with an humbled, penitent spirit, He would hear. WHERE ... - (Jeremiah 2:6; Jeremiah 2:8; Isaiah 51:13.) Where ...

9-13 Job complained that God did not regard the cries of the oppressed against their oppressors. This he knew not how to reconcile the justice of God and his government. Elihu solves the difficulty. Men do not notice the mercies they enjoy in and under their afflictions, nor are thankful for them, therefore they cannot expect that God should deliver them out of affliction. He gives songs in the night; when our condition is dark and melancholy, there is that in God's providence and promise, which is sufficient to support us, and to enable us even to rejoice in tribulation. When we only pore upon our afflictions, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just in God to reject our prayers. Even the things that will kill the body, cannot hurt the soul. If we cry to God for the removal of an affliction, and it is not removed, the reason is, not because the Lord'...

Verse Job 35:12. _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....

THERE THEY CRY - They cry out in the language of complaint, but not for mercy. BECAUSE OF THE PRIDE OF EVIL MEN - That is, of their own pride. The pride of men so rebellious, and so disposed to complain of God, is the reason why they do not appeal to him to sustain them and give them relief. This is still as true as it was in the time of Elihu. The pride of the heart, even in affliction, is the true reason with multitudes why they do not appeal to God, and why they do not pray. They have valued themselves on their independence of spirit. They have been accustomed to rely on their own resources. They have been unwilling to recognize their dependence on any being whatever. Even in their trials, the heart is too wicked to acknowledge God, and they would be ashamed to be known to do what they regard as so weak a thing as “to pray.” Hence, they complain in their afflictions; they linger on in...

EXPOSITION JOB 35:1 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 words without knowledge" (comp. Job 34:35-18). JOB 35:1, Job 35:2

THERE THEY CRY,.... As brutes do, and as in, Job 35:9; by reason of their oppressions, but not under a due sense of the hand of God upon them, nor of his being their only helper, and saviour, and deliverer; BUT NONE GIVETH ANSWER; to them, either God or men, and they lie groaning and howling under their oppression; BECAUSE OF THE PRIDE OF EVIL MEN; this is either to be connected with "they cry", and then the sense is, that they cry by reason of the oppressions of wicked men, who, through the pride of their hearts, and to show their superior power and authority, persecute and distress them, Psalms 10:2. And it is because of this they cry out, being distressed by them, and not through any sense of sin they have committed, as the reason of God's suffering them to be thus oppressed:

CHAPTER 35 _ 1. Remember the greatness of God (Job 35:1)_ 2. Why God is silent and does not answer (Job 35:9) Job 35:1. Job having kept silence Elihu continues and asks him if this is sound judgment, what he had said, “My righteousness is greater than God's righteousness.” This was the logical conclusion which Elihu drew from some of his words. Because God did not care for him the sufferer what profit was it to him if he had not sinned? Then Elihu answers and his friends as well by following Job's unjustly charge. He points out the greatness of God and that cannot in any way be affected by what man does. That was Job's contention. Look at the heavens which are higher than the creature of the dust. If thou hast sinned b

Men cry out by reason of oppression, but do not inquire after God, who gives songs in the night and makes us wiser than the animals. They cry because of the pride of evil men, but God does not answer, since the cry is vanity, has no real religious character. How much less will He hear Job, who is frankly irreligious (Job 35:14)? In Job 35:15 follow _mg.,_ But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Thou sayest, He does not greatly regard arrogance (Job 35:16). Thus doth Job open his mouth in vanity, etc. This is Elihu's condemnation of Job's criticism of God's government....

EVIL. Heb _ra'a'_. App-44....

Having laid down his principle Elihu now proceeds to clear away some anomalies which seem to support Job's contention. There are instances where godliness does not seem to advantage men, where oppressed innocence cries in vain for redress. The reason is that the cry is merely the natural voice of suffering; it is no true devout appeal to heaven none saith, Where is God my maker?...