Job 35:14 - How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
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What does "Job 35:14" mean?
This verse, Job 35:14, is part of Elihu's speech to Job. Elihu is attempting to correct what he perceives as Job's errors in reasoning about God's justice. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"How much less when you say you don’t see him." This refers to Job's feeling that God is absent or uninvolved in his suffering. Job repeatedly expresses a sense that God is hidden from him and not answering his cries. Elihu argues that if God doesn't immediately reveal himself, it doesn't mean he's not there or doesn't care.
"The cause is before him, and you wait for him!" This implies that God is fully aware of Job's situation ("the cause is before him"). He knows the reasons behind Job's suffering and is in control. "You wait for him" is a rebuke, suggesting that Job should be patient and trust that God will act according to his own wisdom and timing, even if that timing doesn't align with Job's expectations. Elihu is essentially saying that just because God doesn't act now doesn't mean he won't act ever.
In essence, Elihu is arguing that Job's perceived lack of God's presence or intervention doesn't invalidate God's awareness and control. Job should have faith and wait patiently for God to act, trusting that God has a reason for the delay, even if Job doesn't understand it.
Elihu's Overall Argument:
Elihu believes Job is wrongly accusing God of injustice. He tries to explain that:
1. God is far too great to be affected by human actions (good or bad).
2. God's silence or delayed response does not mean he is unaware or uncaring.
3. Job needs to be humble, repent, and trust in God's wisdom, even when he doesn't understand it.
Important Considerations:
Context within the Book of Job: While Elihu's arguments may sound reasonable, the book of Job ultimately questions the simplistic "cause and effect" theology that Elihu represents. The book suggests that God's ways are ultimately mysterious and beyond human comprehension.
Elihu's Limitations: Many scholars believe that Elihu's speeches, while offering some valuable insights, don't fully capture the complexity of Job's situation or provide the ultimate answer to the problem of suffering. God ultimately rebukes Job's friends (who shared similar viewpoints to Elihu) for not speaking rightly about him.
Therefore, while Elihu's statement in Job 35:14 might be a well-intentioned attempt to encourage Job to trust in God's timing, it's important to understand it within the larger context of the book of Job, which challenges overly simplistic explanations for suffering and emphasizes the mystery and sovereignty of God.
Job 35:14 - How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
What does "Job 35:14" mean?
This verse, Job 35:14, is part of Elihu's speech to Job. Elihu is attempting to correct what he perceives as Job's errors in reasoning about God's justice. Let's break down the verse to understand its meaning:
"How much less when you say you don’t see him." This refers to Job's feeling that God is absent or uninvolved in his suffering. Job repeatedly expresses a sense that God is hidden from him and not answering his cries. Elihu argues that if God doesn't immediately reveal himself, it doesn't mean he's not there or doesn't care.
"The cause is before him, and you wait for him!" This implies that God is fully aware of Job's situation ("the cause is before him"). He knows the reasons behind Job's suffering and is in control. "You wait for him" is a rebuke, suggesting that Job should be patient and trust that God will act according to his own wisdom and timing, even if that timing doesn't align with Job's expectations. Elihu is essentially saying that just because God doesn't act now doesn't mean he won't act ever.
In essence, Elihu is arguing that Job's perceived lack of God's presence or intervention doesn't invalidate God's awareness and control. Job should have faith and wait patiently for God to act, trusting that God has a reason for the delay, even if Job doesn't understand it.
Elihu's Overall Argument:
Elihu believes Job is wrongly accusing God of injustice. He tries to explain that:
1. God is far too great to be affected by human actions (good or bad).
2. God's silence or delayed response does not mean he is unaware or uncaring.
3. Job needs to be humble, repent, and trust in God's wisdom, even when he doesn't understand it.
Important Considerations:
Context within the Book of Job: While Elihu's arguments may sound reasonable, the book of Job ultimately questions the simplistic "cause and effect" theology that Elihu represents. The book suggests that God's ways are ultimately mysterious and beyond human comprehension.
Elihu's Limitations: Many scholars believe that Elihu's speeches, while offering some valuable insights, don't fully capture the complexity of Job's situation or provide the ultimate answer to the problem of suffering. God ultimately rebukes Job's friends (who shared similar viewpoints to Elihu) for not speaking rightly about him.
Therefore, while Elihu's statement in Job 35:14 might be a well-intentioned attempt to encourage Job to trust in God's timing, it's important to understand it within the larger context of the book of Job, which challenges overly simplistic explanations for suffering and emphasizes the mystery and sovereignty of God.