Surely God will not hear vanity, neither will the Almighty regard it.
This saying stands within Elihu's argument in the book of Job. The friends of Job often stated what was true in general about suffering, yet they misapplied it to his case. Affliction therefore is no proof that the sufferer is under God's displeasure. The meaning is that God will not listen to vain, empty and false appeals, nor will the Almighty take notice of them.
Careless and hollow prayer likewise finds no hearing and no regard from Him. The success of religious duties depends on keeping the heart held close to God and actively engaged with Him in them. Their inward comfort depends on the same closeness and engagement, and a listless heart loses both success and comfort.
This saying stands within Elihu's argument in the book of Job. The friends of Job often stated what was true in general about suffering, yet they misapplied it to his case. Affliction therefore is no proof that the sufferer is under God's displeasure. The meaning is that God will not listen to vain, empty and false appeals, nor will the Almighty take notice of them.
Careless and hollow prayer likewise finds no hearing and no regard from Him. The success of religious duties depends on keeping the heart held close to God and actively engaged with Him in them. Their inward comfort depends on the same closeness and engagement, and a listless heart loses both success and comfort.