Single lesson
Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate
Job 35:1–16
In this part of Job, Elihu answers with a challenge about justice, profit, and prayer. He argues that human actions do not put God in debt, yet they do affect other people, and he questions proud or empty cries.
Before you teach
These verses are Elihu’s speech within the dialogue of Job. He responds to words about righteousness, profit, oppression, and whether God answers. The passage presents Elihu’s reasoning step by step as wisdom speech, not as a separate story scene, and it ends with his assessment of Job’s words.
Explain the central teaching of Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate, using two details from the reading. Elihu argues that God is above human advantage, while human conduct still matters because it affects others and because empty, proud words are not the same as patient waiting before God.
Welcome: Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate
5 minIntroduce “Elihu Recalls God’s Justice” and locate Job 35:1–16. Elihu argues that God is above human advantage, while human conduct still matters because it affects others and because empty, proud words are not the same as patient waiting before God. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Job 35:1, Job 35:9, Job 35:16
Read and explain the passage
12 minElihu begins by naming the complaint he is addressing. He says Job’s words sound as if Job’s righteousness were set over against God’s, and as if there were no profit in being righteous rather than sinning. Elihu presents this as the point he will answer.
Elihu does not treat behaviour as meaningless. He says wickedness may hurt a person like oneself, and righteousness may profit a son of man. So, in this speech, the effect of moral action is traced not as gain or loss to God, but as harm or benefit among people.
Elihu says that even when someone says they do not see God, their cause is before him and they are to wait for him. He then adds that God has not visited in anger and does not greatly regard arrogance, before concluding that Job has multiplied empty, unknowing words.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Elihu Recalls God’s Justice”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Job 35:1, Job 35:2, Job 35:3, Job 35:4, Job 35:8, Job 35:14, Job 35:15, Job 35:16
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What two questions does Elihu say are being asked about righteousness and profit?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Elihu argues that God is above human advantage, while human conduct still matters because it affects others and because empty, proud words are not the same as patient waiting before God. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Job 35:2, Job 35:3, Job 35:6, Job 35:7, Job 35:8, Job 35:10, Job 35:12, Job 35:13
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Elihu Recalls God’s Justice” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Job 35:1, Job 35:9, Job 35:16
Closing: return to Elihu Recalls God’s Justice
3 minRevisit Job 35:1–16. Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Elihu Recalls God’s Justice and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Job 35:1, Job 35:9, Job 35:16
Questions to explore
What two questions does Elihu say are being asked about righteousness and profit?
Look for the repeated wording about whether righteousness brings any advantage or profit compared with sinning.
Job 35:2, Job 35:3
According to Elihu, who is affected by human wickedness and righteousness?
Compare Elihu’s questions about what humans do to God with his statement about hurting or profiting another human.
Job 35:6, Job 35:7, Job 35:8
What reasons does Elihu give for cries not being answered?
Notice what he says people do not say about God their Maker, and then read his statements about pride and an empty cry.
Job 35:10, Job 35:12, Job 35:13
Make, think or respond
Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Job 35:1–16. Use “Elihu Recalls God’s Justice” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Job 35: Comparing the Voices in the Debate connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Elihu Recalls God’s Justice” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Job 35:1–16. Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Job 35:1–16. Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Job 35
1 Moreover Elihu answered,
2 “Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s,’
3 that you ask, ‘What advantage will it be to you? What profit will I have, more than if I had sinned?’
4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.
5 Look to the skies, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.
6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?
7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?
8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.
9 “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.
10 But no one says, ‘Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,
11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?’
12 There they cry, but no one answers, because of the pride of evil men.
13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.
14 How much less when you say you don’t see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!
15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance,
16 therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge.”
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.