Job 36:4-14

4 You can be sure that my words are true. One who has perfect knowledge is talking to you.

5 "God is mighty, but he doesn't hate people. He's mighty, and he knows exactly what he's going to do.

6 He doesn't keep alive those who are evil. Instead, he gives suffering people their rights.

7 He watches over those who do what is right. He puts them on thrones as if they were kings. He honors them forever.

8 But some people are held by chains. They are tied up with painful ropes.

9 God tells them what they've done. He tells them they've become proud and sinned against him.

10 He makes them listen when he corrects them. He commands them to turn away from the evil things they've done.

11 If they obey him and serve him, they'll enjoy a long and happy life. Things will go well with them.

12 But if they don't listen to him, they'll be killed with swords. They'll die because they didn't want to know anything about him.

13 "Those whose hearts are ungodly are always angry. Even when God puts them in chains, they don't cry out for help.

14 They die while they are still young. They die among the male prostitutes at the temples.

Job 36:4-14 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.