Job 35:12

"who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’"

Key Reflection

In Job 35:12, Elihu is questioning Eliphaz's stance by highlighting God’s superiority over mere creatures. The original audience would have recognized that animals and birds were common symbols of nature, often seen as mindless or instinct-driven. By stating that God teaches more than these and makes humans wiser, Elihu emphasizes the profound difference between divine wisdom and the limited understanding of creation, reinforcing the idea that humans should listen to God’s counsel rather than the arguments of their human companions.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

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.

More from Job 35

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