Job
Chapter 36
Elihu’s Fourth Speech
Elihu continued:
Please be patient with me, and I will explain, for I have more to say on behalf of God.
I will share my knowledge far and wide to do justice to my Maker.
Rest assured, my words are true, for you are in the presence of an enlightened man.
God is mighty indeed but he does not despise those of pure heart.
He cuts off the power of the sinner and restores the rights of the oppressed,
he does not forsake their claim. He places kings on their thrones and keeps them secure forever. But if they lift themselves up in pride,
he binds them with fetters and keeps them chained in affliction.
Then he tells them everything they’ve done, including all their sins and arrogance.
He opens their ears to correction and urges them to repentance.
If they obey and serve him, they will live in prosperity and find contentment throughout their years.
But if they do not listen, they go to the grave: knowledge would have saved them.
These hypocrites harbor resentment: they do not pray for help in their bonds,
therefore, they die ypung and perish among the reprobate.
God saves the suffering through their pain, God guides the unfortunate.
In the same way, He lifts you from hardship to a spacious and open place, to a table laden with rich food.
Then you will judge the wicked; justice and judgment will be yours.
Take care not to be seduced by generosity; do not give in to arrogance, bribery, or corruption.
Your wealth and all your hard efforts will not save you from trouble.
Don’t long for the night to come and take people away from their homes.
Beware of turning to iniquity; because of it, you have been tested by hardship.
God is exalted in his power. What teacher is there like him?
Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him that he has done wrong?
Remember to extol his work, which many have sung about.
Everyone has seen it; everyone gazes at it from afar.
God is greater than we can understand; his years are countless.
He keeps the water drops from falling, which gather from the mist as rain.
then the clouds pour them down and drop them on the earth as showers.
Who can understand how he spreads the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?
He unfurls his mists and covers the expanse of the sea.
This is how he nourishes the land that yields abundant food in abundance.
With both hands, he raises lightning and commands it to strike its target.
His thunder warns the shepherd, and the flock senses the tempest.
Commentaries
Elihu’s Speeches.
Job ends his defense by asking for a response from God. What will happen now? When least expected, an intruder named Elihu appears. He is an angry young man who has apparently been listening to the debate and can no longer contain himself. Irritated by what he has just heard, he interjects himself into the matter (32:19). He does so with four speeches that, although they say nothing new, reveal his conviction, his passion, and his abundant verbiage.
Elihu’s Fourth Speech.
The first part of the speech (36:1-21) continues the debate from previous sessions. It reviews the fates of the righteous and the wicked. The second part (36:22-37:13) praises the greatness of the Creator. His power, wisdom, and knowledge surpass our ability to understand (36:26). Elihu emphasizes the divine gift of rain (36:27-37:13): Does Job consider the wondrous works of God? (37:14). Elihu asks Job a series of questions, to which Job consistently answers “No” (37:15-21). No matter how wise we are, we can never call God to account. All we can do is “fear”—worship and revere—God, and this is the beginning of wisdom (28:28). Elihu is a supporting character, a transitional figure. His earlier remarks address Job and his friends’ discussions; now he shifts focus more on God, ending with a description of the storm and a series of questions meant to humble Job. The Lord will speak from the storm with a list of similar questions.