Job 35: What's the main point?

Elihu’s core argument centers on divine sovereignty: God remains 
unaffected by human conduct, and He withholds answers to human pleas 
when pride characterizes those pleas.[1] More specifically, Elihu 
contends that neither sin nor righteousness impacts God—human wrongdoing 
accomplishes nothing against Him, and human virtue gives Him nothing. 
(Job 35:1–16)

This theological position rests on a particular understanding of God’s 
transcendence. Elihu directs Job’s attention upward to the heavens and 
clouds, which tower above him (Job 35:1–16)—a rhetorical gesture 
emphasizing the vast distance between humanity and the divine. Whatever 
affects humans morally—their wickedness or righteousness—concerns only 
other humans, not God. (Job 35:1–16)

The second dimension of Elihu’s argument addresses why God ignores human 
suffering. Though oppressed people cry out for help, they fail to 
acknowledge God as their Maker, the one who provides joy even in 
darkness and grants wisdom beyond animal instinct. (Job 35:1–16) God 
does not hear empty cries, and Job’s own inconsistency—claiming not to 
see God while simultaneously waiting for Him—renders his pleas 
ineffective. (Job 35:1–16)

However, Elihu’s assertion that human deeds are meaningless to God—that 
He gains nothing from goodness and loses nothing from evil, leaving Him 
in no one’s debt—reflects a deistic philosophy rather than biblical 
faith.[2] Scripture reveals that God loves righteousness and hates evil, 
and people’s actions profoundly affect Him.[2] Elihu’s God operates with 
absolute independence from creation, whereas the biblical God remains 
deeply invested in relationship with His people.

[1] R. C. Sproul, ed., The Reformation Study Bible: English Standard 
Version (2015 Edition) (Orlando, FL: Reformation Trust, 2015), 812.
[2] Duane A. Garrett, Job, ed. David Lamb and Tremper Longman III, 
Evangelical Exegetical Commentary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Academic, 
2024), 460.
-- 
Good News †

Christ bore our sins on the cross to clear our debt before God 
(Colossians 2:14), and His resurrection stands as proof of that finished 
work (Romans 1:4). Now, God justly forgives those who believe (Romans 
3:26), granting escape from His impending judgment (1 Thessalonians 
1:10). This mercy is a free gift accessible only through faith (Romans 
6:23). If you believe this truth, call upon the Lord to save you today 
(Romans 10:9-13):

How to be saved: christrose.news/salvation