Job 35:14
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Job 35:14
14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
Chapter Context
Job 35 is a wisdom dialogue chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of faith, truth, obedience. Written during the patriarchal period (literary composition later), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Ancient wisdom traditions often wrestled with the problem of suffering and divine justice.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-16: Central message and teachings
This chapter is significant because it illustrates divine judgment and mercy in response to human actions. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Job and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Job 35:14
14 Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him, yet judgment is before him; therefore trust thou in him.
Analysis
Although thou sayest thou shalt not see him (אַף כִּי־תֹאמַר לֹא תְשׁוּרֶנּוּ, aph ki-tomar lo teshurennu)—The phrase refers to Job's complaint of God's hiddenness (Job 9:11, 13:24, 23:8-9). The verb shuwr (שׁוּר, "to see, perceive") indicates Job feels God is invisible, absent. The phrase yet judgment is before him (דִּין לְפָנָיו, din lephanav) uses din (דִּין, judgment, justice), assuring that God's justice operates despite appearances. The phrase therefore trust thou in him (וּתְחוֹלֵל לוֹ, utecholel lo) uses chul (חוּל, "to wait, hope, trust"). Elihu counsels Job to trust despite God's perceived absence.
The hiddenness of God (Deus absconditus) is profound theological theme. Isaiah 45:15: "Verily thou art a God that hidest thyself." Yet Psalm 22:24 assures: "He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath he hid his face from him." Job experiences God's felt absence, not actual abandonment. Christ endured ultimate God-forsakenness (Mark 15:34) so believers need never be truly abandoned (Hebrews 13:5). Faith trusts God's character when unable to trace His hand (Romans 8:24-25, "hope that is seen is not hope").
Historical Context
Ancient Near Eastern religions offered tangible divine presence through idols and temples. Israel's prohibition of images and experience of exile created crises of divine absence. Prophets addressed this: Hosea's God withdrawing from unfaithful Israel (Hosea 5:6, 15), Isaiah's hidden God (Isaiah 8:17), Jeremiah's absent God during exile. Yet prophetic faith maintained confidence in covenant faithfulness despite felt absence. This prepared for NT faith: walking by faith, not sight (2 Corinthians 5:7).
Reflection
- How do we maintain faith when God seems absent or silent?
- What is the difference between God's felt absence and actual abandonment?
- How does Christ's experience of forsakenness (Mark 15:34) ensure believers are never truly abandoned?
Cross-References
- Parallel theme: Job 9:11