Skip to content
Logo Devotion Header

Job 36 Job 36 - Elihu proclaims God's justice and majesty

1 Elihu continued:

2 “Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God’s behalf.

3 I get my knowledge from afar;
I will ascribe justice to my Maker.

4 Be assured that my words are not false;
one perfect in knowledge is with you.

5 “God is mighty, but does not despise men;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.

6 He does not keep the wicked alive
but gives the afflicted their rights.

7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
he enthrones them with kings
and exalts them forever.

8 But if men are bound in chains,
held fast by cords of affliction,

9 he tells them what they have done—
that they have sinned arrogantly.

10 He makes them listen to correction
and commands them to repent of their evil.

11 If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.

12 But if they do not listen,
they will perish by the sword
and die without knowledge.

13 “The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.

14 They die in their youth,
among male prostitutes of the shrines.

15 But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction.

16 “He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
to a spacious place free from restriction,
to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.

17 But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;
judgment and justice have taken hold of you.

18 Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.

19 Would your wealth
or even all your mighty efforts
sustain you so you would not be in distress?

20 Do not long for the night,
to drag people away from their homes.

21 Beware of turning to evil,
which you seem to prefer to affliction.

22 “God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him?

23 Who has prescribed his ways for him,
or said to him, ‘You have done wrong’?

24 Remember to extol his work,
which men have praised in song.

25 All mankind has seen it;
men gaze on it from afar.

26 How great is God—beyond our understanding!
The number of his years is past finding out.

27 “He draws up the drops of water,
which distill as rain to the streams;

28 the clouds pour down their moisture
and abundant showers fall on mankind.

29 Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds,
how he thunders from his pavilion?

30 See how he scatters his lightning about him,
bathing the depths of the sea.

31 This is the way he governs the nations
and provides food in abundance.

32 He fills his hands with lightning
and commands it to strike its mark.

33 His thunder announces the coming storm;
even the cattle make known its approach.

Previous Chapter Job 35 Next Chapter Job 37

Analysis of Job Chapter 36

Job Chapter 36 is a continuation of the speech of Elihu, one of Job’s friends who attempts to explain Job’s suffering. Elihu’s perspective offers a unique insight into the nature of God, human suffering, and divine justice. This chapter can be segmented into a few distinct parts, each focusing on different aspects of God’s character and His dealings with humanity. Let’s delve deep into the nuances of these verses and uncover their profound meanings.

Elihu Exalts God’s Greatness and Justice (Verses 1-4)

“Elihu continued and said:

‘Bear with me a little, and I will show you, for I have yet something to say on God’s behalf. I will fetch my knowledge from afar and ascribe righteousness to my Maker. For truly my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you.’”

In these opening verses, Elihu presents himself as a spokesperson for divine wisdom. He urges his audience to be patient as he shares insights coming from a profound understanding of God. By stating he fetches his knowledge “from afar,” Elihu implies that his wisdom is not just earthly but rooted in divine revelation. The phrase “one who is perfect in knowledge” could be seen as Elihu referring to himself as a vessel of true wisdom or as an acknowledgment of God’s omniscience working through him.

Elihu’s intention is to uphold God’s righteousness and justice. He seeks to articulate that God’s ways, though sometimes unfathomable, are intrinsically just and pure. This segment sets the stage for his arguments and establishes his credibility as a witness to God’s character.

God’s Justice in Dealing with Humanity (Verses 5-12)

“Behold, God is mighty, and does not despise any; he is mighty in strength of understanding. He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their right. He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne he sets them forever, and they are exalted. And if they are bound in chains and caught in the cords of affliction, then he declares to them their work and their transgressions, that they are behaving arrogantly. He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they return from iniquity. If they listen and serve him, they complete their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasantness. But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword and die without knowledge.”

Here, Elihu establishes the dual nature of God’s dealings with humans: His might and His justice. He emphasizes that God, in His omnipotence, does not despise anyone but deals justly with both the wicked and the righteous. The verse, “He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their right” illustrates a recurring biblical theme where God is depicted as taking special notice of the oppressed and ensuring justice prevails.

Elihu declares that those who are righteous are not overlooked. Even when they face affliction, it is a manifestation of God’s justice designed to guide them away from arrogance and towards humility and obedience. This perspective hinges on the notion that suffering can be a divine tool for instruction and correction. Elihu’s view that listening to God results in a prosperous life reflects the general belief in retributive justice prevalent in Ancient Near Eastern cultures.

The Role of Suffering in Divine Correction (Verses 13-21)

“The godless in heart cherish anger; they do not cry for help when he binds them. They die in youth, and their life ends among the cult prostitutes. He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. 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. But you are full of the judgment on the wicked; judgment and justice seize you. Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing, and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside. Will your cry for help avail to keep you from distress, or all the force of your strength? Do not long for the night, when peoples vanish in their place. Take care; do not turn to iniquity, for this you have chosen rather than affliction.”

Elihu contrasts the responses of the godless and the righteous to divine correction through suffering. The godless, characterized by their hardened hearts, fail to seek God’s help and thus meet untimely ends. In contrast, God uses affliction as a means to deliver the righteous, opening their ears to His teachings through their adversities.

Elihu uses an example relevant to Job’s situation: God allured Job out of distress into a place of abundance. He reminds Job that despite his suffering, God’s purpose is not to harm but to lead to a greater understanding and eventually to prosperity. Elihu warns Job against letting anger and judgment against the wicked consume him. Instead, he advises staying vigilant against turning towards iniquity as a response to suffering.

This segment underscores the concept that suffering is not meaningless but part of a divine plan for guidance and correction. It challenges the afflicted to respond with humility and patience, aligning themselves with God’s purpose rather than being entrapped by bitterness and resentment.

God’s Omnipotence and Omniscience (Verses 22-25)

“Behold, God is exalted in His power; who is a teacher like Him? Who has prescribed for Him His way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’? Remember to extol His work, of which men have sung. All mankind has looked on it; man beholds it from afar.”

Elihu shifts his discourse to a contemplation of God’s omnipotence and omniscience. He extolls God as the ultimate teacher, whose wisdom and power surpass all human understanding. The rhetorical questions highlight the futility of questioning God’s ways or accusing Him of wrongdoing. Elihu urges his listeners to remember and praise God’s wondrous works, which are evident to all humanity, showcasing His grandeur and sovereignty.

This part of the chapter invites readers to adopt a posture of worship and reverence towards God. Recognizing His supreme power and wisdom encourages trust in His overarching plan, even amidst perplexing situations.

God’s Sovereignty in Nature (Verses 26-33)

“Behold, God is great, and we know Him not; the number of His years is unsearchable. For He draws up the drops of water; they distill His mist in rain, which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly. Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of His pavilion? Behold, He scatters His lightning about Him and covers the roots of the sea. For by these He judges peoples; he gives food in abundance. He covers His hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. Its crashing declares His presence; the cattle also declare that He rises.”

In the final segment of the chapter, Elihu paints a vivid portrait of God’s control over nature, further emphasizing His majesty and authority. The intricate processes of rain formation, the spread of clouds, and the orchestration of thunder and lightning are portrayed as expressions of God’s intricate design and sovereign power.

The cycle of rainfall, providing sustenance to humanity, is used to illustrate God’s provision and care. The thundering and lightning serve as manifestations of His presence and power, echoing His judgment and sustenance. Even the behaviors of animals, such as cattle sensing an approaching storm, testify to God’s governance over the natural world.

Through these natural phenomena, Elihu reinforces the idea that God’s ways, though often mysterious and beyond human comprehension, are purposeful and inherently good. Nature itself serves as a testament to His greatness and a reminder for humanity to maintain faith in His sovereign will.

Conclusion

Job Chapter 36 provides a rich tapestry of theological insights woven through Elihu’s discourse. It emphasizes God’s omnipotence, omniscience, justice, and the purposeful role of suffering in human lives. Elihu’s arguments serve to redirect Job’s focus from his immediate afflictions to the larger, transcendental nature of God’s character and divine plan.

This chapter challenges readers to consider suffering not as a punitive measure but as a divine tool for correction and growth. It calls for humility, patience, and unwavering trust in God’s righteousness. Elihu’s portrayal of God’s authority over nature further underscores His ability to orchestrate life’s events with wisdom far beyond human understanding.

In summary, Elihu’s speech in Job Chapter 36 is a profound reminder of the majesty and justice of God, encouraging believers to embrace a perspective of trust and reverence even amidst life’s trials. The chapter drives home the message that true wisdom lies in recognizing and submitting to the omnipotent and omniscient ways of the Divine.