What is the meaning of Job 35:7? If you are righteous • Elihu’s conditional phrase pulls us into the hypothetical: suppose a person truly walks in righteousness. Psalm 24:3–4 says only “he who has clean hands and a pure heart” may stand in the LORD’s holy place, so the idea is serious, not casual. • Yet Scripture reminds us that even the best human righteousness is derivative. Isaiah 64:6 admits, “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags”. Our right standing is always, at root, God’s gracious work (Genesis 15:6; 2 Corinthians 5:21). What do you give Him • The question punctures any pride that imagines God benefits from our virtue. Acts 17:25 declares, “Nor is He served by human hands, as if He needed anything, because He Himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else”. • Even our finest gifts—time, talents, offerings—are ultimately things He first gave us (1 Chronicles 29:14). We return, we do not originate. • Romans 11:35 presses the same point: “Who has given to God that God should repay him?”. The implied answer is “no one.” Or what does He receive from your hand? • Elihu doubles the question for emphasis. God is perfectly self-sufficient; He gains no additional resource, strength, or joy that He did not already possess before we came along (Psalm 50:10–12). • Yet Scripture balances this truth: while our righteousness adds nothing to His essence, it does please Him (Proverbs 11:20; Hebrews 13:16). Conversely, our sin grieves Him (Ephesians 4:30). So our conduct matters immensely—even though it can never enrich God’s being or supply a lack. • Luke 17:10 captures the humility this should produce: “So you also, when you have done everything commanded of you, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’ ”. summary Job 35:7 reminds us that God is never dependent on human righteousness. Our obedience benefits us and those around us, but it does not fill a vacancy in God’s perfection. Recognizing His absolute self-sufficiency guards us from pride, nurtures gratitude, and calls us to serve Him out of love rather than any notion of earning or supplying something He lacks. |
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