Job 36

13–15 Here Elihu repeats his main point: the godless—those arrogant people who do not cry out to God-die in their youth and in shame⁷⁴ (verses 13–14); but those (the godly) who suffer, God delivers (verse 15). Elihu says that God speaks to godly sufferers in their affliction. This is one of Elihu's profoundest insights; whenever suffering comes to us, we need to ask one question: “God, what are you saying to me?” Suffering is one of God's main ways of getting our attention.

16–21 Elihu still holds out hope that Job is one among the godly who suffer; he tells Job that God is wooing him away from the sins that have caused him such distress (verse 16). Elihu is certain that Job has sinned, and in verses 17–21 he tries to persuade Job to turn away from those sins. In other words, he tries to get Job to respond to God's discipline. The thought that Job might be innocent does not enter Elihu's mind.

22–33 Hoping to persuade Job to respond to God, Elihu reminds Job of God's greatness and power. Let Job stop arguing with God and demanding vindication; rather, let him humbly submit to God, whose greatness is beyond our understanding (verse 26). Here again, Elihu's words are correct; indeed, this final speech of Elihu prepares us—and Job—for the words that God is about to speak in Chapters 38–41.