Job 35:11 meaning

In the middle of his discourse, Elihu addresses Job's misconceptions about the nature of righteousness and its worth to God. Job had expressed a feeling of futility in adhering to righteousness, questioning what benefit it brought him given his afflictions. Elihu counters this by asserting God's sovereignty and wisdom, emphasizing that God does not owe humanity a response to their actions. This perspective challenges Job's view that his innocence should result in divine favor, highlighting the idea that divine silence does not equate to divine injustice.

The scripture, which speaks of God teaching humanity wisdom greater than that of the creatures, reminds us of our limited understanding compared to God's eternal wisdom. Elihu's argument suggests that the purpose of life, beyond seeking personal gain, is to learn from God through experience, including suffering. This perspective connects deeply with themes of purpose and divine providence in human suffering, inviting believers to seek understanding rather than questioning God's justice. In this way, we see that faith involves trust in God's higher purpose despite our circumstances. This is echoed in Job 35:11.