Job 36:10-20

10 "1He opens their ear to instruction, And 2commands that they return from evil.
11 "If they hear and serve Him, They will 3end their days in prosperity And their years in 4pleasures.
12 "But if they do not hear, they shall perish 5by the sword And they will 6die without knowledge.
13 "But the godless in heart lay up anger; They do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 "They die in youth, And their life perishes among the 7cult prostitutes.
15 "He delivers the afflicted in their 8affliction, And 9opens their ear in time of oppression.
16 "Then indeed, He 10enticed you from the mouth of distress, Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint; And that which was set on your table was full of fatness.
17 "But you were full of 11judgment on the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 "Beware that 12wrath does not entice you to scoffing; And do not let the greatness of the 13ransom turn you aside.
19 "Will your riches keep you from distress, Or all the forces of your strength?
20 "Do not long for 14the night, When people vanish in their place.

Job 36:10-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 36

This chapter, with the following, contains Elihu's fourth and last discourse, the principal view of which is to vindicate the righteousness of God; which is done by observing the dealings of God with men in his providence, according to their different characters, and from the wonderful works wrought by him in a sovereign manner, and for the benefit of his creatures. This chapter is introduced with a preface, the design of which is to gain attention, Job 36:1-4; the different dealings of God with men are observed, and the different issue of them, and the different ends answered thereby, Job 36:5-15; and it is suggested to Job, that had he attended to the design of the providence he was under, and had submitted to it patiently, things would have been otherwise with him; and therefore Elihu proceeds to give him some advice, which, if taken, would be for his own good, and the glory of God, Job 36:16-25; and closes the chapter by observing the unsearchable greatness of God, as appears by the works of nature wrought by him, Job 36:26-33.

Cross References 14

Footnotes 7

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