Job 34:10

"For he has said, ‘It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.’"

Key Reflection

In Job 34:10, Elihu asserts that it brings no benefit to humans to seek close fellowship with God. This statement challenges the notion that one could gain advantage or pleasure by drawing near to God, suggesting a stark view of divine sovereignty and human limitations. Such a perspective underscores the idea that even the closest relationship with God does not offer earthly advantages, emphasizing the spiritual rather than material benefits of religious devotion.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Therefore hearken unto me -Elihu proceeds now to reply to what he regarded as the erroneous sentiments of Job, and to show the impropriety of language which reflected so much on God and his government. Instead, however, of meeting the facts in the case, and showing how the actual course of events could be reconciled with justice, he resolves it all into a matter of sovereignty, and maintains that it is wrong to doubt the rectitude of the dealings of one so mighty as God. In this he pursues the same course substantially which the friends of Job had done, and does little more to solve the real difficulties in the case than they had.

More from Job 34

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