What is the meaning of Job 35:13? Surely God does not listen to empty pleas • Elihu reminds Job that God is never indifferent, yet He is not obligated to respond to prayers that lack repentance, faith, or obedience (Psalm 66:18; Proverbs 28:9; Isaiah 59:2). • “Empty” points to petitions offered with wrong motives, pride, or stubborn sin—words without heart, like the Pharisee’s self-congratulating prayer in Luke 18:10-14. • Scripture balances this warning with promise: “The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). A sincere, humble plea always finds an open ear (1 John 5:14-15). and the Almighty does not take note of it • God’s omniscience means He is aware of every word (Matthew 6:8), yet He chooses to “not take note” in a favorable, covenant-blessing sense when prayer springs from rebellion (Jeremiah 14:12; Micah 3:4). • The phrase underscores divine holiness: a perfect Judge does not reward hypocrisy. He waits for true contrition, like that of Nineveh in Jonah 3:5-10, before acting in mercy. • For the believer walking in integrity, the same Almighty gladly “attends to the voice of my prayer” (Psalm 86:6-7) and “gives more grace” (James 4:6). summary Job 35:13 teaches that God hears everything but responds favorably only to genuine, repentant, God-honoring prayer. Empty, self-centered pleas receive no divine endorsement, while humble, obedient hearts are welcomed and answered. Living in reverent submission turns our prayers from hollow words into petitions that move the Almighty to act. |
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