Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness

Elihu rants on based on the simple assumption that since Job proclaims his righteousness and theologically, no one is righteous before God, therefore, Job must be self-righteous. Of course, self-righteousness is not a good thing at all. But how often is it that when someone shares their difficulties and explains that it was through no fault of their own, how often do we feel that the person is self-justifying or worse, self-righteous. There can be many lessons in this, but two that come to mind is that:
i) We should not rush to judge others, especially if they are opening up to us. Instead, let us give them the benefit of the doubt.
ii) Jesus may see through the person's real intent but we cannot see that. So the best we can do to emulate our Lord is to show compassion and be a comforter.

Job 35

 1 Moreover Elihu answered and said:
 2 “Do you think this is right?      Do you say,       ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’?
 3 For you say,      ‘What advantage will it be to You?       What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’
 4 “I will answer you,      And your companions with you.
 5 Look to the heavens and see;      And behold the clouds—       They are higher than you.
 6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him?      Or, 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 affects a man such as you,      And your righteousness a son of man.
 9 “ Because of the multitude of oppressions they cry out;      They cry out for help because 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 beasts of the earth,      And makes us wiser than the birds of heaven?’
 12 There they cry out, but He does not answer,      Because of the pride of evil men.
 13 Surely God will not listen to empty talk,      Nor will the Almighty regard it.
 14 Although you say you do not see Him,      Yet justice is before Him, and you must wait for Him.
 15 And now, because He has not punished in His anger,      Nor taken much notice of folly,
 16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain;      He multiplies words without knowledge.”