Job 22:3

"“Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he who is wise is profitable to himself."

Key Reflection

This verse challenges the notion that human righteousness can benefit God, emphasizing instead that wisdom and goodness are primarily beneficial to the person exhibiting them. It suggests that while wisdom brings personal advantage, it does not confer favor on God, who is already exalted and independent.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous? -This is the same sentiment which was advanced in the previous verse. The meaning is, that it can be no advantage to God that a man is righteous. He is not dependent on man for happiness, and cannot be deterred from dealing justly with him because he is in danger of losing anything. In this sense, it is true. God “has” pleasure in holiness wherever it is, and is pleased when people are righteous; but it is not true that he is dependent on the character of his creatures for his own happiness, or that people can lay him under obligation by their own righteousness.

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