Job 36:1-11

1 Elihu also proceeded and said:

2 "Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God's behalf.

3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

4 For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.

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

6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed.

7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous; But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted.

8 And if they are bound in fetters, Held in the cords of affliction,

9 Then He tells them their work and their transgressions-- That they have acted defiantly.

10 He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they turn from iniquity.

11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

Job 36:1-11 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.