Job 35:3

"“Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’"

Key Reflection

In Job 35:3, Elihu challenges Job's perspective by asking if he believes his righteous conduct justifies questioning God’s judgment. This reflects the broader literary context where Job has been defending his own righteousness while complaining about his suffering, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern wisdom literature where the struggle between human and divine justice is explored. The original audience would have understood this as a critique of Job's self-righteous stance, suggesting that even if one acts with integrity, questioning God’s sovereignty and actions remains inappropriate.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

For thou saidst -Another sentiment of a similar kind which Elihu proposes to examine. He had already adverted to this sentiment of Job inJob 34:9, and examined it at some length, and had shown in reply to it that God could not be unjust, and that there was great impropriety when man presumed to arraign the justice of the Most High. He now adverts to it again in order to show that God could not be benefited or injured by the conduct of man, and that he was, therefore, under no inducement to treat him otherwise than impartially. What advantage will it be unto thee? -see the notes atJob 34:9. The phrase “unto thee,” refers to Job himself. He had said this to himself; or to his own soul.

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