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Job 36

In Job 36, Elihu continues his speech by defending God's justice and emphasizing His power and wisdom. Elihu aims to highlight God's greatness in dealing with humanity, especially regarding suffering, presenting God as both just and merciful. He encourages Job to trust in God's wisdom, even when life is difficult to understand.

Job 36:1-5 (NKJV)
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.

Elihu asks Job to listen carefully as he continues to speak on God’s behalf. He claims his knowledge is profound, coming from a higher understanding of God's righteousness. Elihu affirms that God is both powerful and just, showing no partiality to anyone. God, who is mighty in wisdom, understands the complexities of human suffering.

Job 36:6-10 (NKJV)
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.

Elihu explains that God judges the wicked, but He cares for the righteous, even elevating them. However, when the righteous suffer, Elihu sees this as God's way of revealing their sins and encouraging them to repent. Affliction becomes a tool for instruction, urging people to turn away from wrongdoing and return to God’s path.

Job 36:11-12 (NKJV)
11 If they obey and serve Him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
12 But if they do not obey, They shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

Elihu presents two paths: those who obey God will live prosperous lives, while those who refuse to listen and remain disobedient will perish. He emphasizes that obedience to God brings blessings, while rebellion leads to destruction, aligning with his belief in divine justice.

Job 36:13-15 (NKJV)
13 But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.
15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.

Elihu warns that the wicked, in their stubbornness, refuse to seek help from God, even when they are suffering. Their refusal leads to an early death and a wasted life. In contrast, God uses affliction to deliver the poor and oppressed, opening their ears to receive wisdom and learn from their suffering.

Job 36:16-18 (NKJV)
16 Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And what is set on your table would be full of richness.
17 But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it.

Elihu believes that if Job had trusted in God, his suffering would have ended, and he would have experienced prosperity again. However, Elihu suggests that Job is suffering from divine judgment due to his attitude. He warns Job of God's wrath and the danger of being removed from life prematurely, even implying that no amount of wealth can ransom him from God’s justice.

Job 36:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress?
20 Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place.
21 Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.

Elihu points out that wealth and power cannot protect Job from distress or the consequences of sin. He warns against wishing for death (the night) as an escape and urges Job to avoid turning to sin out of frustration. Elihu suggests that Job has chosen to rebel against his suffering rather than humbly accept it.

Job 36:22-23 (NKJV)
22 “Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him?
23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?

Elihu praises God's supremacy, highlighting that no one can instruct or accuse God of wrongdoing. God’s power and wisdom are unmatched, and He acts according to His perfect understanding, which humans cannot fully grasp.

Job 36:24-26 (NKJV)
24 “Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung.
25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.
26 Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered.

Elihu calls for Job to remember God's greatness and the wonders of His creation, which people have praised throughout time. Even though humanity sees God’s works, His full nature remains beyond our comprehension. God's greatness surpasses human understanding, and His eternal nature is immeasurable.

Job 36:27-28 (NKJV)
27 For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist,
28 Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man.

Elihu marvels at God’s control over nature, describing the process of rain as a divine work. God draws water from the earth, forms clouds, and sends rain in abundance to sustain humanity, showing His continuous care and provision.

Job 36:29-30 (NKJV)
29 Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy?
30 Look, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea.

Elihu continues to reflect on the mysteries of nature, pointing to the clouds, thunder, and lightning as demonstrations of God's power. He highlights that these phenomena are beyond human understanding, yet they reveal God’s majesty and control over the earth.

Job 36:31-33 (NKJV)
31 For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance.
32 He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike.
33 His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.

Elihu concludes by explaining that God uses the forces of nature to govern the world, both for judgment and provision. Lightning and thunder serve as His tools, demonstrating His authority. Even animals can sense the coming of a storm, revealing God's intricate involvement in the natural world. Elihu's speech emphasizes God's power, justice, and wisdom, urging Job to trust in God's greater plan.

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