Job 35:2

Elihu did not accuse Job of anything as bold as saying outright that he was more righteous than God. But what about questioning His ways because you are sure of your own integrity under severe trial? What about complaining that His dealings are hard toward you, or uncaring toward others? What is that, if not a criticism of His government, and a preference for your own thoughts?

Elihu quotes Job's thoughts again, if not his exact words. He draws the proper conclusion from them, and points out the monstrous deduction — "My righteousness is more than God's." For had not Job brought himself to just such a conclusion? "I have not sinned to deserve such treatment. My life is blameless before man and God. There is no reason for Him to afflict me except glaring sins. So He is unjust!" It is good for us to face our conclusions, and to learn how foolish our reasonings are.

"Do you think this is right? Do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's'?" (v.2). This was very clearly what Job's words implied. He had said he was righteous, and that God was failing to recognise it. How careful we should be when we feel tempted to complain! We are saying in effect that God is not treating us rightly.

Elihu now speaks to those who have an ear to hear. He shows where Job had gone so seriously wrong. First, in saying, "I am righteous"; and then in saying that it was no use serving God. So self-righteousness leads to unbelief and the deepest spiritual wickedness.

Elihu now takes up Job's claim to be in the right. Job had dared to speak rudely and proudly about it. "Look to the heavens, and see; and behold the clouds which are higher than you. If you sin, what do you do against Him?" So he shows that the question is not whether man profits God, but how God profits man. Man owes Him his will, his love, and his glory. Beyond that, no one can walk in His ways without the richest reward of blessing... So the wickedness of man does not lower the majesty of God. It ruins the man who walks in it. In the same way, the obedience of man brings no profit to God. It secures very real and rich blessedness for the one whom God leads that way.

Here Elihu, with remarkable force and clearness, takes hold of the very root of the matter on each side. In two short sentences he sums up the whole long discussion of twenty-nine chapters. Job justified himself instead of justifying God. His friends condemned Job instead of leading him to condemn himself. It matters enormously to see this: whenever we justify ourselves, we condemn God. Whenever we condemn ourselves, we justify God. The greatest folly anyone can commit is to justify himself, because God must then charge him with sin. But the truest wisdom is to condemn oneself completely, for then God becomes the Justifier.