Job 36:7-17

7 He does not remove His gaze from the righteous, but He seats them forever with enthroned kings, and they are exalted.
8 If people are bound with chains and trapped by the cords of affliction,
9 God tells them what they have done and how arrogantly they have transgressed.
10 He opens their ears to correction and insists they repent from iniquity.
11 If they serve Him obediently, they will end their days in prosperity and their years in happiness.[a]
12 But if they do not obey, they will cross the river [of death][b][c] and die without knowledge.[d]
13 Those who have a godless heart harbor anger; even when God binds them, they do not cry for help.
14 They die in their youth; their life [ends] among male cult prostitutes.[e]
15 God rescues the afflicted by afflicting them; He instructs them by means of their torment.
16 Indeed, He lured you from the jaws[f] of distress to a spacious and unconfined place. Your table was spread with choice food.
17 Yet [now] you are obsessed with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have seized you.

Job 36:7-17 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 6

  • [a]. Jb 2:10; 21:13; Ps 16:6,11
  • [b]. Or will perish by the sword
  • [c]. Jb 33:18
  • [d]. Ps 104:29; Isa 5:13; Hs 4:6
  • [e]. Dt 23:17-18; 1 Kg 14:24; 22:46
  • [f]. Lit from a mouth of narrowness
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