My opinion anyway....is that it is a very hard book to interpret....Job. Oh some of it is clear but there are 42 chapters which leaves a lot that isn't so clear. So I want to give you one interpretation....or rather my interpretation of one interpretation....of one chapter....and encourage you to look at this on your own....and view other interpretations.
Chapter 35 has Elihu wondering if Job is saying that his righteousness was greater than God's righteousness? Elihu speaking...."Do you think this is right? Do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's...?" Job had already extensively pleaded his case to God. He was in no way saying that his righteousness was greater than God's....but it was if he was saying that his argument was more righteous than God's....and that is what Elihu was dealing with.
Job was doing what we all at times do.....as we think that we are doing our best....we are trying to oppose evil men....but God doesn't seem to be hearing our prayers? I submit to you that that is much of what evangelicalism is doing today. We are sure that we are doing our best to confront the evil of abortion and so many other plagues that are upon us....but are frustrated in that the battle is not going well....therefore we will take matters into our own hands.
The text seems to support the interpretation that indeed God was not answering prayers because of pride....and because of the lack of humility....."Surely God will not listen to empty talk." We today in evangelicalism lack humility. None of this that is going on today is our fault....or so we believe. Elihu later reminds Job of God's goodness and power and righteousness. It was a gentle rebuke.
It is not as much that we today are arguing with God....but that we are going out on our own and therefore challenging God to take sides. We found the prince that we want....and it does not matter that he is using us as much as we are using him.
Elihu said this of Job....."Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain. He multiplies words without knowledge." That is what we are doing....opening our mouth in vain....'God bless America'....and multiplying words without knowledge....'We are one glorious nation under God.'
