PREVIOUS CHAPTER - NEXT CHAPTER - HELP - GR VIDEOS - GR YOUTUBE - TWITTER - SD1 YOUTUBE CHAPTER 36 Job 36:1-33. 1, 2. Elihu maintains that afflictions are to the godly disciplinary, in order to lead them to attain a higher moral worth, and that the reason for their continuance is not, as the friends asserted, on account of the sufferer's extraordinary guilt, but because the discipline has not yet attained its object, namely, to lend him to humble himself penitently before God (Isa 9:13; Jer 5:3). This is Elihu's fourth speech. He thus exceeds the ternary number of the others. Hence his formula of politeness (Job 36:2). Literally, "Wait yet but a little for me." Bear with me a little farther. I have yet (much, Job 32:18-20). There are Chaldeisms in this verse, agreeably to the view that the scene of the book is near the Euphrates and the Chaldees.
3. from afar--not trite commonplaces, but drawn from God's mighty
works.
4. I will not "speak wickedly for God," as the friends
(Job 13:4, 7, 8)
--that is, vindicate God by unsound arguments.
5. Rather, "strength of understanding" (heart) the force of the repetition of "mighty"; as "mighty" as God is, none is too low to be "despised" by Him; for His "might" lies especially in "His strength of understanding," whereby He searches out the most minute things, so as to give to each his right. Elihu confirms his exhortation (Job 35:14). 6. right . . . poor--He espouses the cause of the afflicted.
7.
(1Pe 3:12).
God does not forsake the godly, as Job implied, but "establishes," or
makes them sit on the throne as kings
(1Sa 2:8;
Ps 113:7, 8).
True of believers in the highest sense, already in part
(1Pe 2:9;
Re 1:6);
hereafter fully
(Re 5:10;
Job 22:5).
8-10. If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain, or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby "disciplining them," and "showing them their sins," and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue.
9. work--transgression.
10. (Job 33:16-18, 23). 11. serve--that is, worship; as in Isa 19:23. God is to be supplied (compare Isa 1:19, 20).
12.
(Job 33:18).
13-15. Same sentiment as
Job 36:11, 12,
expanded.
14. Rather (De 23:17), Their life is (ended) as that of (literally, "among") the unclean, prematurely and dishonorably. So the second clause answers to the first. A warning that Job make not common cause with the wicked (Job 34:36).
15. poor--the afflicted pious.
16. Rather, "He will lead forth thee also out of the jaws of a
strait"
(Ps 18:19;
118:5).
17. Rather, "But if thou art fulfilled (that is, entirely filled) with the judgment of the wicked (that is, the guilt incurring judgment" [MAURER]; or rather, as UMBREIT, referring to Job 34:5-7, 36, the judgment pronounced on God by the guilty in misfortunes), judgment (God's judgment on the wicked, Jer 51:9, playing on the double meaning of "judgment") and justice shall closely follow each other [UMBREIT].
18.
(Nu 16:45;
Ps 49:6, 7;
Mt 16:26).
Even the "ransom" by Jesus Christ
(Job 33:24)
will be of no avail to wilful despisers
(Heb 10:26-29).
19. forces of strength--that is, resources of wealth (Ps 49:7; Pr 11:4).
20. Desire--pant for. Job had wished for death
(Job 3:3-9,
&c.).
21. regard--literally, "turn thyself to."
22-25. God is not to be impiously arraigned, but to be praised for
His might, shown in His works.
23. Job dared to prescribe to God what He should do (Job 34:10, 13).
24. Instead of arraigning, let it be thy fixed principle to
magnify God in His works
(Ps 111:2-8;
Re 15:3);
these, which all may "see," may convince us that what we do not see is
altogether wise and good
(Ro 1:20).
25. See--namely, with wondering admiration
[MAURER].
26.
(Job 37:13).
God's greatness in heaven and earth: a reason why Job should bow under
His afflicting hand.
27, 28. The marvellous formation of rain (so
Job 5:9, 10).
28. abundantly--literally, "upon many men."
29.
(Job 37:5).
God's marvels in thunder and lightnings.
30. light--lightning.
31. These (rain and lightnings) are marvellous and not to be understood (Job 36:29), yet necessary. "For by them He judgeth (chastiseth on the one hand), &c. (and on the other, by them) He giveth meat" (food), &c. (Job 37:13; 38:23, 27; Ac 14:17). 32. Rather, "He covereth (both) His hands with light (lightning, Job 37:3, Margin), and giveth it a command against his adversary" (literally, the one "assailing" Him, Ps 8:2; 139:20; Job 21:19). Thus, as in Job 36:31, the twofold effects of His waters are set forth, so here, of His light; in the one hand, destructive lightning against the wicked; in the other, the genial light for good to His friends, &c. (Job 36:33) [UMBREIT]. 33. noise--rather, He revealeth it (literally, "announceth concerning it") to His friend (antithesis to adversary, Job 36:32, so the Hebrew is translated, Job 2:11); also to cattle and plant GOTO NEXT CHAPTER - D. J-F-B INDEX & SEARCH
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