Job 36:10-20

10 He gets their attention and commands that they turn from evil.

11 “If they listen and obey God, they will be blessed with prosperity throughout their lives. All their years will be pleasant.

12 But if they refuse to listen to him, they will cross over the river of death, dying from lack of understanding.

13 For the godless are full of resentment. Even when he punishes them, they refuse to cry out to him for help.

14 They die when they are young, after wasting their lives in immoral living.

15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity.

16 “God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food.

17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don’t worry, judgment and justice will be upheld.

18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don’t let yourself be bribed into sin.

19 Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress?

20 Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed.

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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Or But don’t let your anger lead you to mockery.
• [b]. Or Could all your cries for help.
• [c]. The meaning of the Hebrew in this passage is uncertain.