Job 36:1-26

God’s dealings with man 36:1-26

The first four verses of chapter 36 introduce this speech. In them, Elihu again urged Job to pay attention to what he would say. He claimed that his words were true and that he himself was "perfect in knowledge" (Job 36:4).

"In his defence [sic] of the righteousness of God, Elihu now develops his thought on the disciplinary meaning of suffering. God is great, but he does not despise men. The incorrigibly wicked he does not preserve, but in mercy he afflicts the righteous that they may be cleansed of all sin and pride." [Note: Rowley, p. 227.]

Four times in this chapter and twice in this section (Job 36:1-25) Elihu said, "Behold" (Job 36:5; Job 36:22; Job 36:26; Job 36:30). In each case, he then proceeded to say something important about God. After this, he applied that truth.

Elihu’s first affirmation was that God is mighty and merciful (Job 36:5-10), and He uses suffering to instruct people. There are two possible responses to God’s teaching: hearing (Job 36:11) and not hearing (Job 36:12), and each has consequences. Elihu developed these responses and consequences further, first the response of the godless (Job 36:13-14), and then that of the godly (Job 36:15-16). Essentially the godless typically become angry and refuse to turn to God for help, and this often leads to a life of shame and an untimely death (Job 36:13-14). The righteous who suffer, on the other hand, more often turn to God, submit to His instruction, learn from it, and live (Job 36:15). Finally, Elihu applied these points to Job and warned him against responding to his sufferings like the ungodly (Job 36:16-21). Specifically, Job should avoid anger and scoffing and not let the large price he was paying for his God-sent education (the "ransom," Job 36:18) divert him from godly living.

Elihu’s next major declaration about God, introduced by the second "Behold" (Job 36:22), was that He is a sovereign and supremely wise teacher (Job 36:22-23). Elihu’s application to Job was that he should worship God rather than murmuring, complaining, and pitying himself (Job 36:24-25). Worship would enable him to learn the lessons that God was teaching him. The introverted (chiastic) structure of Job 36:22-26 emphasize the fact that God is worthy of praise.

"Elihu has, in fact, steered the argument away from the justice of God to His wisdom, using His power as the bridge." [Note: Andersen, p. 262.]