Why does God not respond to cries in Job 35:12? Verse Under Consideration “‘There they cry out, but He does not answer, because of the pride of evil men.’ ” (Job 35:12) Immediate Speaker and Intent Elihu is not condemned by God at the end of the book (Job 42:7–9 indicts only Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). Scripture therefore invites us to weigh Elihu’s words as a corrective that anticipates the Lord’s own speech in chapters 38–41. His aim in 35:12 is two-fold: 1. Expose the arrogance lying beneath certain cries for relief. 2. Vindicate God’s righteousness by asserting that unanswered prayer is never due to divine indifference. Core Theological Principle God’s moral government of the universe includes a relational component: “The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous” (Proverbs 15:29). Unrepentant pride erects a barrier that divine holiness will not overlook (Isaiah 59:1–2). Elihu therefore asserts a conditional promise, not an absolute denial of God’s compassion. Five Scriptural Reasons God Withholds Answers 1. Pride and Unrepentant Sin “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened” (Psalm 66:18). Pride refuses to admit need for grace; silence is a severe mercy calling the sinner to humility. 2. Wrong Motives “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives” (James 4:3). Cries aimed at self-exaltation contradict God’s glory-centered purpose. 3. Willful Disobedience “Whoever turns his ear away from hearing the law, even his prayer is detestable” (Proverbs 28:9). Persistent rebellion nullifies petition. 4. Lack of Covenant Relationship “We know that God does not listen to sinners, but He listens to the one who worships Him and does His will” (John 9:31). Outside the reconciled relationship ultimately offered in Christ, there is no standing before the throne (Hebrews 10:19–22). 5. Sovereign Redemptive Timing God may delay to mature faith (Luke 18:7–8), refine character (Romans 5:3–5), or orchestrate a greater good (John 11:4). Silence is sometimes preparatory rather than punitive. Harmony With Wider Biblical Witness • Affirmed Silence: Proverbs 1:28–29; Micah 3:4; Zechariah 7:13. • Promised Hearing: 2 Chronicles 7:14; Psalm 34:17; 1 Peter 3:12. The tension resolves when humility, repentance, and faith align the petitioner with God’s covenantal promises. Consistency With New-Covenant Teaching Jesus amplifies Elihu’s insight: “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled” (Matthew 23:12) and “Blessed are the poor in spirit” (Matthew 5:3). The tax collector’s humble plea—“God, be merciful to me, a sinner!”—is heard and justified (Luke 18:13–14), while the Pharisee’s proud prayer gains no approval. Pastoral and Practical Applications • Self-Examination: Evaluate motives, confess known sin (1 John 1:9). • Posture of Humility: Approach “in the name of Jesus” (John 14:13–14), recognizing utter dependence. • Perseverance: God’s apparent silence is not absence; continue steadfastly in prayer (Colossians 4:2). Philosophical and Behavioral Considerations From a behavioral-science standpoint, entitlement thwarts relational reciprocity. Prideful expectations distort perception, leading to the erroneous conclusion that silence equals non-existence. Scripture reorients by identifying moral causality rather than psychological projection. Ancient Near-Eastern Parallels Sumerian laments often complain that gods ignore the oppressed, yet provide no moral reason. Job uniquely grounds divine silence in ethical reality, revealing a holiness distinct from pagan caprice. Contemporary Witness of Answered Prayer Documented medical healings following corporate repentance and prayer (e.g., the 1984 case reported in the Southern Medical Journal where malignant lymphoma regressed after elders’ anointing per James 5:14) illustrate that God’s ear remains open when hearts are contrite. Christological Fulfillment The ultimate cry seemingly unanswered—“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Matthew 27:46)—resulted in the resurrection, validating every promise of God (2 Corinthians 1:20). Because Christ bore the penalty of our pride, believers now “have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus” (Hebrews 10:19). Eschatological Resolution Revelation 21:4 assures that divine silence will end forever: “He will wipe away every tear.” Until then, unanswered cries serve as redemptive summons to humility and faith in the risen Lord. Conclusion Job 35:12 teaches that God’s apparent non-response is morally conditioned, not due to impotence or indifference. Pride obstructs fellowship; repentance restores it. In Christ, every barrier is demolished for those who approach in humble faith, guaranteeing that no genuine cry goes ultimately unheard. |
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