Job 36

Job 36:1-4

Elihu having repeated Job’s raihness, endeavours to engage him to patient submission, the want of which, and not his hypocrisy, as his friends suggested, had prolonged his afflictions. Here we have, 1. His preface, ver. 2—4. 2. His account of the methods of God’s providence towards the children of men, according to the early themselves, ver. 5—15. 3. The fair warrancy and good enough to grow Job averages, ver. 18—21. 4. His demonstration of God’s sovereignty and omnipotence, ver. 22, 23.

1. ELIHU also proceeded, and said, 2. Suffer me a little and I will shew thee, that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf. 3. I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my maker. 4. For truly, my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

As the general silence seemed to give approbation to what was said, Elihu, after a short pause, resumes his discourse, with an apology for trespassing a little longer on their patience, for what he had now to say would be short, yet important. He was speaking in God’s behalf, v. 2. therefore might claim attention. It was no common subject he treated, but his knowledge was fetched from afar, the relief of long researches, and concerning the deep things of God, v. 3. His design was to vindicate the ways of God to man, and ascribe righteousness to his Maker in all the dissensions of his providence, v. 3. And in doing this he resolved to use the greatest impartiality and hierarchy, speaking the truth in thee; and he presumed he was so thoroughly acquainted with his subject, and his intention to upright, that they would acknowledge their regard justly due to his disquisition, and with the fact that they were not so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do so much as to be able to do

5. Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any; he is mighty in strength, and wisdom. 6. He preserved not the life of the wicked: but give right to the poor. 7. He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne, yet he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted. 8. And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction: 9. Then he fleweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. 10. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commanded that they return from iniquity. 11. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasure. 12. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge. 13. But the hypocrites of heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them

them. 14. They die in youth, and their life is among the 3 unclean.

Job 36:9-14

Elihu, in the behalf of God, proceeds, as he proposed, to vindicate God’s righteous government.

1. The means of his subjects are not despised by him, v. 5. He is mighty to redress their grievances, and wise in all his dissensions towards them. Note, if God despised not any, surely much less ought we.

2. He ministers impartial justice. The greatest, if wicked, and his vengeance; cut off, even here oftentimes, by his righteous judgment; or, if their life be prolonged, they are only reserved for the wrath to come: which the cause of the poor that were wronged God espouses, v. 6. and his eyes are upon them for good. They are exalted to honour in this world, or, what is infinitely better, they are established in his grace and love, and for ever appointed to reign with him in glory everlasting, v. 7. Note, (1). The day is near, when the oppression and the oppression will meet at the righteous bar of God. (2.) However, how God’s people may be reduced, they are a royal seed, and there is a kingdom prepared for them.

3. If God afflicts his people, it is purely with a design to do them good, v. 8. to humble them under the views of past iniquities, to ruin them from the perversion of the ways they may have chosen, to open their ears to that instruction, to which, except under the rod, they would have been inattentive, and to shew them the path of duty, as the true way of deliverance from the cords of affliction. Note, (1.) A sense of God’s purpose is not characteristic, should make us not only resigned, but thankful. (2.) Whatever brings us to humbler views of ourselves, and more unreserved dependence on God, is to be reckoned among our chief mercies. (3.) Afflictions only answer their design, when God oppress the ear to discipline; and they but harden instead of humbling. (4.) It is a blessed fruit of afflictions, when we leave the drust of sin in the furnace, and come forth purified as silver from the fire.

4. When the end of the correction is answered, the rod will not only be removed, but the blessiness of it appear. If they stay and pour him, in consequence of his gracious chafflement, then they shall pund their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasure; for godliness hath the promise of the life which now is, and ever brings that best portion, contentment; but especially in their souls they shall prosper, taste the more substantial pleasure of religion, and that not only through the days of time, but the years of eternity.

5. Where a hypocrite suffers, far different is the issue. As they obey not the divine admonitions, but by their impatient and unhumbled spirit heap up wrath; and instead of crying to God in their distress, are stupid and hardened under it; destruction then awaits them, they shall perish under the judgment, and, what is far worse, shall die impatient. In youth they shall be cut off, and their portion in eternity be appointed them among the unclean, whose worm doth not, and their fire is not quenched, v. 12-14. Note, (1.) They who die stupid and unconcerned, are in a much more desperate estate, than they who depart in the greatest agonies of remorse. (2.) Hypocrites in heart will be detected; however fair a shew they make in the flesh, there is one that feeds and judgeth. (3.) They who, trusting on their own righteousness, are heaping up their works as their confidence against a judgment-day, will be terribly disappointed to find that they have only heaped up wrath. (4.) Many now proudly despise the open sinner, the profane and unclean, and say to them, Stand by thyself, I am more holy than thou, who yet shall have their portion with them in the burning lake.

6. He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and oppresseth their ears in oppression. 16. Even so would he have removed the ear of the strain? not a broad place, where there is no strain, and that which should be set on thy table, should be full of fatness. 17. But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. 18. Because there is wrath, because lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ranism cannot deliver thee. 19. Will he esteem thy riches? no not gold, nor all the forces of strength. 20. Define not the night, when people are cut off in their place. 21. Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. 22. Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? 23. Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Job 36:15-23

Elihu here applies what he had said to Job’s case.

1. Had he been humbled, God would have dealt thus graciously with him; but his conduct under his affliction continued the courage upon him. It is God’s constant method of procedure, to deliver the poor, to support, comfort, strengthen

him, and, when it is fit, to open a door of escape for him. Mean time, he conveys his instructive lessons, and whispers his kind confessions to the soul, amidst all his sorrows and oppression; and this Job would, ere that, have experienced, had he been patiently submissive; his path had not been then, as now, strained, nor his wants so distressing; he would have been freed from his distresses, and his table crowned with plenty; but since, by a behaviour like that of wicked men, and pleas that gave them countenance in their iniquities, he had offended, therefore in just judgment his corrections were continued, till his heart was brought to bow in silent humiliation, and to give God his due glory in the acknowledgment of his righteousness, v. 15-17. Note, (1.) If our afflictions are long and heavy, surely we have only ourselves to blame for them. (2.) When the chafflement hath answered its end, it will strainedly be removed, for God doth not willingly afflict the children of men. (3.) They who plead the cause of the wicked, must not wonder if they suffer with them.

2. He warns him of the danger of persevering in obstinate self-vindication. There was danger left God in wrath thought: and his injurious objections on his government; and if he should rise up to avenge his own quarrel, woe to the soul against whom he lifts up the sword, v. 18. No ranism can redeem him, no might refuse him, no darkness conceal him; no, not even the grave, which Job had so impatiently desired. The darkness hath no covering before God, and in death, their appointed place, the wrath of God purifies the sinners, v. 19, 20. Note, (1.) Though a truly good man shall not perish eternally, yet it is by working out his salvation with fear and trembling only that it can be secured. (2.) Riches profit not in a day of wrath. (3.) No darkness can hide, no shadow of rock or mountain cover the sinner from the stroke of God.

3. He cautions him to regard iniquity no longer, not to persevere in his charges against God, or so impatiently to desire death, to be rid of his afflictions, rather than humbly resigned to wait God’s before and time for his deliverance, v. 21. Note, The greatest sufferings are preferable to the least sins.

4. He bids him observe God’s power, wisdom, and righteousness, to engage his unreserved submission to his will. He exalteth by his power, himself the source of all power; and, according to his own will, teaching whom he pleades. None teaches like him, so wise or able to direct: he needs no adviser; his ways, word, and providences are all perfect in wisdom; and it were as false as foolish to charge him with iniquity, whose bosom is the seat of justice, and whose glorious prerogative it is, from the essential rectitude of his nature, that he can do no wrong. Note, The more we know of God, the more we shall be blessed and confounded before him, nor dare compare our wisdom, power, and righteousness with his, or complain of any thing he ordains, which must be always wise as righteous.

5. Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. 25. Every man may see it, man may behold it afar off. 26. Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. 27. For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: 28. Which the clouds do drop, and distil upon man abundantly. 29. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? 30. Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31. For by them judgeth he the people, he giveth meat in abundance. 32. With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine, by the cloud that cometh betwixt. 33. The noise thereof throeth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

Job 36:24-33

From the view of the glorious works of God, his unsearchable perfections, and wonders in the administration of the kingdom of providence, Elihu would affect Job with humbler thoughts of himself, and higher apprehensions of God and his ways.

1. He is worthy to be magnified for the works he hath wrought visible to every eye: the heavens above, the earth around us, proclaim the glory of the Ceraine; and since in them his universal goodness as well as greatness appears, we may assuredly conclude, that in his works of providence, respecting us in particular, he deserves equally to be magnified and adored, v. 24, 25.

2. Though we see and know a part of his excellence, yet his perfections are unsearchable, and the mysteries of his works past finding out. If we cannot then comprehend his surpassing greatness, it were folly to arrange his proceedings, and to speak evil of what we know not; and if we cannot account for the division of the drops of rain, or for the mud common appearances in nature, it were highly absurd to quarrel with his providence,