Eliu declares that the good or evil done by man cannot reach God.
“Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God?” (Job 35:2)
Man judges on the exterior; whereas, God judges the heart within.
“Everyone observes, who reads the text of the history, that blessed Job did not say that he was more righteous than God. But he says, ‘Let him put forth equity against me, and my judgment shall come to victory.’ Examining his life without knowing the reasons of his smiting, as has been often observed, Job believed that he was scourged for the sake of washing away his sins and not the increasing of his merits. He was therefore confident that his judgment would come to victory, because he found in himself no fault for which he deserved to be smitten. This indeed the Lord also said of him to the devil, ‘You have moved me against him, to afflict him without cause.’ What had Job sinned then, by speaking in this way, who unknowingly agreed in these words with the divine and secret sentence on himself? Or what harm is there, if, in the judgment of people, our words differ on the surface from the exactness of truth, when, in that on which they turn in the heart, they are closely joined to and agree with it? The ears of people consider our words to be such as they sound outwardly, but the divine judgments hear them as they are uttered from our inmost heart.” (Morals on the Book of Job 26.14–15) – St. Gregory The Dialogist
“Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge.” (Job 35:16)
God chastises those whom he loves in order to set them on the path to life rather than destruction.
“For God in truth bears a long while with him whom he condemns forever; and forebears now to bring on his wrath, because he reserves it to be poured forth, hereafter, without end. For suffering is here the portion of the elect, so they may be trained for the rewards of their heavenly inheritance. It is our portion to receive stripes here, for whom an eternity of joy is reserved. Hence it is written, ‘He scourges every son whom he receives.’ It is also said to John, ‘I rebuke and chastise those whom I love.’ Peter says, ‘It is time that judgment must begin at the house of God.’ And then Peter immediately adds with astonishment, ‘But if it first begin at us, what shall be the end of them that believe not the gospel of God?’ For the severity of God does not permit sins to remain unpunished; but the wrath of judgment commences with our punishment here, in order that it may cease to rage at the damnation of the reprobate.” (Morals on the Book of Job 26.21.37–22.40) – St. Gregory The Dialogist
Women's Prayer Group In Christ 