Job 35:1-16
Job had drawn this sad conclusion from his misfortunes: there was really no point in trying to be righteous; in the end he was no better off than if he had sinned (Job 9:22; Job 34:9; Job 35:3). Alas, he is finding out the depths of his own heart. He seems to be justifying Satan’s insinuation: "Doth Job fear God for nought?" (Job 1:9). This is almost the same as the reasoning of those "men corrupt in mind" of whom the apostle speaks, "who hold gain to be the end of piety" (1 Timothy 6:5 – JND translation; see also Malachi 3:14).
Our patriarch did not yet know that there were the same feelings in his heart. He knew about his good works, but not their secret motives. And these were far from being always good. Let us allow the Spirit to search us out through the Word, to discern and lay bare the intentions of our hearts (Hebrews 4:12). Elihu renders this service to Job in speaking the truth to him. Some things are not pleasant to hear; but "faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Proverbs 27:6; see also Colossians 4:6). And when these vital lessons have been learned, our tears, cries of distress and calls for help (Job 19:21), will give way to "songs in the night" (vv. 9, 10).