Job 35:16

_THEREFORE DOTH JOB OPEN HIS MOUTH IN VAIN; HE MULTIPLIETH WORDS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE._ Apodosis to 15. IN VAIN - rashly. Remarks: (1) God can have no possible inducement to act with injustice in His dealings toward us. He is exalted so far above man as to be altogether independent of man, as regards His own infinite glory and blessedness. When men sin, it is themselves, not God, that they hurt; when they practice righteousness, it is themselves, not God, that they benefit. When, therefore, He sends affliction on His people, it can only be the good of the sufferers that He has in view (Job 35:5). (2) Doubtless there are cases of oppression by the mighty which we cannot account for, consistently with God's justice, except by reference to the coming judgment. But in the case of many comparatively innocent sufferers, as in that of Job so far, the reason for

14-26 As in prosperity we are ready to think our mountain will never be brought low; so when in adversity, we are ready to think our valley will never be filled up. But to conclude that to-morrow must be as this day, is as absurd as to think that the weather, when either fair or foul, will be always so. When Job looked up to God, he had no reason to speak despairingly. There is a day of judgment, when all that seems amiss will be found to be right, and all that seems dark and difficult will be cleared up and set straight. And if there is Divine wrath in our troubles, it is because we quarrel with God, are fretful, and distrust Divine Providence. This was Job's case. Elihu was directed by God to humble Job, for as to some things he had both opened his mouth in vain, and had multiplied words without knowledge. Let us be admonished, in our afflictions, not so much to set forth the greatness...

Verse Job 35:16. _THEREFORE DOTH JOB OPEN HIS MOUTH IN VAIN_] God will execute vengeance when it may best serve the ends of his justice, providence, and mercy. The delay of judgment is not proof that it shall not be executed; nor is the deferring of mercy any proof that God has forgotten to be gracious. _HE MULTIPLIETH WORDS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE_] However this may apply to Job, it most certainly applies very strongly and generally to the words, not only of Job's three friends, but to those also of Elihu himself. The contest is frequently a _strife of words_....

THEREFORE - In view of all that Elihu had now said, be came to the conclusion that the views of Job were erroneous, and that he had no just cause of complaint. He had suffered no more than he had deserved; he might have obtained a release or mitigation if he had applied to God; and the government of God was just, and was every way worthy of confidence. The remarks of Job, therefore, complaining of the severity of his sufferings and of the government of God, were not based on knowledge, and had in fact no solid foundation....

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

THEREFORE DOTH JOB OPEN HIS MOUTH IN VAIN,.... In uttering such unbecoming expressions, observed, and refuted, in his loud complaints of God, and of his dealings with him, and in defence of himself; HE MULTIPLIETH WORDS WITHOUT KNOWLEDGE; both against God and in answer to others; being in a great measure ignorant of the nature and number of his sins, and of his afflictions; and of the end of God in them, and of the right he had to lay them upon him; us well as of his duty patiently to bear them, and trust in God, and wait his own time for deliverance out of them; and or the truth of this he was afterwards convinced, and acknowledged it, Job 42:3....

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....

The interpretation and connexion of these verses is difficult. Job 35:14 might carry on the idea of Job 35:13, 13. Surely God will not hear vanity, Neither will the Almighty regard it; 14. Much less when thou sayest, Thou seest him not, The cause is before him and thou waitest for him. God refuses to answer the cry which is vanity, not the voice of true religious trust; much less will He hear one who like Job complains that he cannot see Him (ch. Job 23:8 and often), who misses His righteous government in the world and charges Him with refusing to receive his just appeal (ch. Job 13:18 _seq_.,...

4. Job has approached God in the wrong spirit. (Job 35:14-16) TEXT 35:14-16 14 HOW MUCH LESS WHEN THOU SAYEST THOU BEHOLDEST HIM NOT, The cause is before him, and thou waitest for him! 15 But now, because he hath not visited in his anger, Neither doth he greatly regard arrogance; 16 Therefore doth Job open his mouth in vanity; He multiplieth words without knowledge. COMMENT 35:14-16 JOB 35:14If God does not listen to those who do not turn to him, how much less would He listen to Job who relentlessly pursues Him with His complaints. Other men cry out against their oppressors; but Job cries out against GodJob 13:24;...