Job 36:5-12

5 Indeed, God is mighty, but He despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding.

6 He does not keep the wicked alive, but He grants justice to the afflicted.

7 He does not take His eyes off the righteous, but He enthrones them with kings and exalts them forever.

8 And if men are bound with chains, caught in cords of affliction,

9 then He tells them their deeds and how arrogantly they have transgressed.

10 He opens their ears to correction and commands that they turn from iniquity.

11 If they obey and serve Him, then they end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.

12 But if they do not obey, then they perish by the sword ^[a] and die without knowledge.

Job 36:5-12 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.

Footnotes

• [a] Or they will cross the river of death