Job 36 | MHM | STEP | The Address of Elihu In this section, Elihu asks Job and the others to listen to him for a little longer. He says he still has important things to say in defense of God. Elihu promises that his words will be truthful and helpful. He wants everyone to know that he is speaking on God’s behalf, not for himself. Elihu believes that his message will show that God is always righteous and fair in everything He does. v. 1–2 : Elihu says, Suffer me a little, and I will show thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf (Job 36:1–2 ). He asks for patience and attention, promising that he will not speak much longer. Elihu wants Job to know that what he says is meant to defend God’s honor.

‏ Job 36

The Address of Elihu

In this section, Elihu asks Job and the others to listen to him for a little longer. He says he still has important things to say in defense of God. Elihu promises that his words will be truthful and helpful. He wants everyone to know that he is speaking on God’s behalf, not for himself. Elihu believes that his message will show that God is always righteous and fair in everything He does.

v. 1–2: Elihu says, Suffer me a little, and I will show thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf (Job 36:1–2 ^a). He asks for patience and attention, promising that he will not speak much longer. Elihu wants Job to know that what he says is meant to defend God’s honor.

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v. 3: Elihu explains, I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker . He is willing to search deeply for wisdom and truth about God. Everything he says is meant to show that God is righteous.

v. 4: Elihu promises, For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee . He assures Job that his words are sincere and true. Elihu claims that he is honest and careful in his search for truth, and that he is speaking for the good of everyone listening.

Elihu Describes God’s Righteousness in Dealing with People

In this section, Elihu explains how God always acts with perfect justice and kindness. God is fair to everyone, from the highest to the lowest. He does not ignore the poor or favor the powerful just because of their position. Elihu teaches that God uses both good times and hard times to help people grow. God’s goal is always to help us turn away from sin and become better. If people listen and change, they will find blessing. If they do not, they may face ruin. Elihu also warns about the dangers of hypocrisy and ignoring God’s correction.

v. 5: Elihu says, Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom . God is all-powerful, but He cares for everyone equally. He does not look down on anyone, not even the weakest or poorest person.

v. 6: Elihu continues, He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor . God does not allow wicked people to escape judgment forever. He will make sure the poor and mistreated receive justice, even if others ignore them (Romans 2:5 ^b).

v. 7: Elihu explains, He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted . God always watches over good people. Sometimes He raises them to places of honor. Even if it does not happen in this life, in the end God will reward the righteous and give them lasting honor.

v. 8–10: Elihu describes how God uses trouble to help people: If they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction; then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity (Job 36:8–10 ^c). When good people suffer, God uses it to show them their sins, teach them lessons, and call them to turn away from doing wrong. Trouble is meant to help us change for the better.

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v. 11: Elihu promises, If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures . If people learn from their troubles and follow God, He will bless them with peace and joy. This is true for both life now and the joy of being close to God forever.

v. 12: Elihu warns, But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge . If people refuse to learn from suffering, they may face destruction and die without understanding. Refusing God’s correction is dangerous (2 Chronicles 28:22 ^d).

v. 13–14: Elihu explains the fate of hypocrites: But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them. They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean (Job 36:13–14 ^e). People who pretend to love God but are not sincere store up punishment for themselves. They do not pray when they suffer, and in the end they may die young and be separated from God, living forever with the wicked (Romans 2:5; Jude 1:7 ^f).

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Elihu Explains God’s Purpose in Affliction and Warns Against Pride

In this section, Elihu speaks directly to Job. He says that God uses suffering to teach and help those who are humble. If Job had responded with the right attitude, God would have already helped and restored him. Elihu warns Job not to continue in stubbornness or pride. He says that trying to escape God’s judgment by any means will not work, and that Job should not challenge God’s decisions. Instead, Job should trust God’s wisdom and justice, because God is the best teacher and ruler.

v. 15: Elihu explains, He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression . God cares for people who are suffering and humble. He teaches them important lessons and comforts them, even while they are still in trouble.

v. 16: Elihu says, Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness . If Job had accepted God’s discipline with the right heart, God would have delivered him and brought him back to a place of blessing and comfort (Psalm 81:13–14 ^g).

v. 17: Elihu warns, But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee . Elihu says Job has acted like those who oppose God, and that is why trouble continues. Standing on the wrong side leads to judgment.

v. 18: He cautions, Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee . Elihu reminds Job not to ignore God’s anger or think he can escape it. No amount of money or effort can save someone from God’s judgment (Proverbs 11:4; Psalm 49:7–8 ^h).

v. 19: Elihu asks, Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength . God cannot be bribed or forced to change His decision. Wealth or power cannot help a person escape God’s judgment.

v. 20: Elihu continues, Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place . He warns Job not to look for a way of escape in darkness or death. God sees everything, even in the night (Psalm 139:11–12 ⁱ).

v. 21: Elihu says, Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction . He urges Job not to choose sin or rebellion over accepting suffering. It is a poor choice to try to escape trouble by doing wrong.

v. 22–23: Elihu praises God, Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? (Job 36:22–23 ^j). God is all-powerful and the best teacher. No one can tell God what to do, and no one can fairly accuse God of doing wrong. God is just in everything He does (Psalm 94:9–10 ^k).

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Elihu Calls Job to Admire God’s Works and Wisdom

In this section, Elihu encourages Job to have great respect for God by thinking about all the wonderful things God does. Elihu says that God’s works are clear for all to see and should lead us to trust His decisions, even when we do not understand them. He describes how God’s power, wisdom, and kindness are shown in nature, especially in the rain and clouds. Elihu’s goal is to help Job accept God’s will and recognize God’s greatness in everything.

v. 24: Elihu says, Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold . He wants Job to praise and honor God’s work. Everything God does is wonderful and should be admired by everyone (Ecclesiastes 7:13; Romans 1:20 ^l).

v. 25: Elihu continues, Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off . God’s works are visible to all people. Anyone who looks at nature can see God’s wisdom and power.

v. 26: Elihu explains, Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out . God is far greater than we can understand. He is eternal, and there is no way for us to fully know or measure Him.

v. 27–28: Elihu describes, For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly (Job 36:27–28 ^m). God controls the rain, sending it in gentle drops or heavy showers. Rain provides for all people, showing God’s care and power (Psalm 65:9; Matthew 5:45 ⁿ).

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v. 29: Elihu asks, Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? . No one can fully understand how God spreads out the clouds or controls the sky. These mysteries remind us that we cannot explain all of God’s ways.

v. 30: Elihu says, Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea . After the rain, God sends sunlight again, even reaching the depths of the sea. God’s power is seen everywhere, from the sky to the ocean.

v. 31: Elihu teaches, For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance . God uses the weather for both judgment and blessing. Sometimes storms bring trouble, and other times rain brings food and happiness (Psalm 65:11–13 ^o).

v. 32: Elihu adds, With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt . God can block the sunlight with clouds or let it shine. He is in control of all things in nature (Job 26:9 ^p).

v. 33: Elihu notes, The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour (Job 36:33 ^q). The sound of thunder and changes in the weather give warnings about coming rain. Even animals can sense these changes. All these things show God’s wisdom and power working in the world (1 Kings 18:41; Luke 12:56 ^r).