Job 36:10-20

10 God makes them listen to his warning and commands them to change from doing evil.
11 If they obey and serve him, the rest of their lives will be successful, and the rest of their years will be happy.
12 But if they do not listen, they will die by the sword, and they will die without knowing why.
13 "Those who have wicked hearts hold on to anger. Even when God punishes them, they do not cry for help.
14 They die while they are still young, and their lives end in disgrace.
15 But God saves those who suffer through their suffering; he gets them to listen through their pain.
16 "God is gently calling you from the jaws of trouble to an open place of freedom where he has set your table full of the best food.
17 But now you are being punished like the wicked; you are getting justice.
18 Be careful! Don't be led away from God by riches; don't let much money turn you away.
19 Neither your wealth nor all your great strength will keep you out of trouble.
20 Don't wish for the night when people are taken from their homes.

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.

Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.