Job 36 - ESV - Bible Reading / Study Notes

Job 36

Elihu Extols God’s Greatness

36:1 And Elihu continued, and said:

2   “Bear with me a little, and I will show you,
    for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf.
3   I will get my knowledge from afar
    and ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4   For truly my words are not false;
    one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5   “Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any;
    he is mighty in strength of understanding.
6   He does not keep the wicked alive,
    but gives the afflicted their right.
7   He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,
    but with kings on the throne
    he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8   And if they are bound in chains
    and caught in the cords of affliction,
9   then he declares to them their work
    and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly.
10   He opens their ears to instruction
    and commands that they return from iniquity.
11   If they listen and serve him,
    they complete their days in prosperity,
    and their years in pleasantness.
12   But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword
    and die without knowledge.
13   “The godless in heart cherish anger;
    they do not cry for help when he binds them.
14   They die in youth,
    and their life ends among the cult prostitutes.
15   He delivers the afflicted by their affliction
    and opens their ear by adversity.
16   He also allured you out of distress
    into a broad place where there was no cramping,
    and what was set on your table was full of fatness.
17   “But you are full of the judgment on the wicked;
    judgment and justice seize you.
18   Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing,
    and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19   Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress,
    or all the force of your strength?
20   Do not long for the night,
    when peoples vanish in their place.
21   Take care; do not turn to iniquity,
    for this you have chosen rather than affliction.
22   Behold, God is exalted in his power;
    who is a teacher like him?
23   Who has prescribed for him his way,
    or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?
24   “Remember to extol his work,
    of which men have sung.
25   All mankind has looked on it;
    man beholds it from afar.
26   Behold, God is great, and we know him not;
    the number of his years is unsearchable.
27   For he draws up the drops of water;
    they distill his mist in rain,
28   which the skies pour down
    and drop on mankind abundantly.
29   Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,
    the thunderings of his pavilion?
30   Behold, he scatters his lightning about him
    and covers the roots of the sea.
31   For by these he judges peoples;
    he gives food in abundance.
32   He covers his hands with the lightning
    and commands it to strike the mark.
33   Its crashing declares his presence;¹
    the cattle also declare that he rises.

Footnotes

[1] 36:33 Hebrew declares concerning him

Commentary

v1-4: Elihu wants to speak on God's behalf. There may be a demonstration of authority here, or simply a touch or arrogance. The prophet of God must speak the oracles of God; we may find it difficult to accept such authority, either in others, or in ourselves. We also note the need of humility (as in 32.6-9) and thoughtfulness (as in 33.1-7).

v5-21: Elihu declares God's righteousness.

v5: Many mighty men despise those lower than themselves, but God despises no one.

v6-7: God's justice to all; mankind is divided into righteous and wicked.

v8-11: Compare 2 Chr 33.11-13; the attitude of repentance. Our sins bring us into bondage and affliction; once there is a willingness to repent.

v12-14: God's judgment falls on the ungodly. The hypocrite is described like the perverted person; holding ungodly attitudes ("the godless in heart"), and speaking deceitful words, is no different from blatant immorality. Such may provide a cover for their rebellious attitude.

v15: God will make a distinction between those who are suffering because of the acts of others.

v16-21: The general words of repentance change to a fresh warning against Job, 'God would have brought you out of darkness had you turned back to Him.' Elihu seems to reach the same conclusion as the three friends; compare Eliphaz' words in 22.21-23.

v22-23: God is over all, knowing all things; no one can accuse Him of wrong-doing.

v24-25: Our response to God; remember to magnify His work, His testimony to all of mankind.

v26: God is great and unsearchable; Rom 11.33; 1 Cor 2.9-10.

v27-33: Elihu uses an example from creation to illustrate the greatness of God, and that He is beyond understanding.