Jump to:
Job
Chapter
36
{Chapters
32-39: Decision of the Judges}
{Chapters 32-37: Decision of the Human Judge - Elihu}
{Elihu's
4 Speeches/'Legal Opinions' -
4th
Speech - Chapters 36 and 37}
{Verses
1-4: Elihu Presents His Credentials as a Mature Believer}
1~~Elihu
continued, and said, 2~~
"Bear with me a little longer.
And
I will show you there is more to be said
on
God's/'Elowahh's behalf.
3~~I get my knowledge from afar.
And I will ascribe justice/righteousness/virtue {tsedeq} to my Maker.
4~~Be assured my words will not be false.
One
perfect/complete in knowledge {de`ah} . . . {is} with you
{not a 'perfect person' but one 'perfect in knowledge' - 'complete
divine viewpoint' - idiom meaning that Elihu is a very spiritually
mature believer. Most people would call this arrogance, but it is
not if it is merely stating the truth. Elihu is Job's peer. Job's
words/actions are being compared to 'divine viewpoint' by his
peer}.
{Verses
5-33: Elihu Explains Motus Operendi of God
in Relationship to Mankind}
5~~Behold,
God/'El is mighty.
But
He {God} does not despise {men}
{He does despise the evil thoughts and actions coming from any
creature}.
He is mighty and firm/consistent/strong in His purpose.
6~~He does not keep the wicked alive . . .
but gives the inflicted their rights.
7~~He does not take His eyes off the righteous/virtuous . . .
but he enthrones them with kings . . .
and exalts them forever.
8-9~~If they are bound in chains . . .
held fast in cords of affliction . . . 9~~
He tells them what they have done . . .
That they have sinned arrogantly.
10~~He makes them listen to correction . . .
and commands to change their mind about their evil.
11~~If they obey and serve Him . . .
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity . . .
and their years in contentment.
12~~But if they do not listen/'obey not' . . .
they will perish by the sword . . .
and
they shall die without knowledge
{die without a clue about divine viewpoint - which only comes in
studying His Word}.
13~~But
the godless in heart/'right lobe' {unbeliever}
harbors
resentment.
Even when He fetters/binds them, they do not cry for help.
14~~They die in their youth . . .
among the 'male prostitutes of the shrines' {qadesh}.
{Note: Homosexuality was a big thing at this time. It was an abomination to God and He punishes it severely.}
15~~But those who suffer . . .
He delivers in their suffering.
He speaks to them in their affliction.
{Prediction
of Job's Recovery of His Prosperity}
16~~He
{God} is wooing you {Job} from the jaws of distress . . .
to a spacious place . . . free from restrictions . . .
to
the comfort of your table laden with choice foods
{future prosperity of Job}.
17~~But now you are laden with judgment do the wicked . . .
judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
18~~Be careful that no one entices you by my riches . . .
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
19~~Would your wealth . . .
or even all your might efforts . . .
sustain you so that you would not be in distress?
20~~Do not long for the night . . .
to drag people away from their homes.
21~~Beware of turning to evil . . .
which you seem to prefer to affliction.
{Note: This is what Elihu is warning Job that is happening to him when he criticizes the silence of God. Job will heed this warning as we see later.}
22~~God/'El is exalted in His power.
Who is a teacher like Him?
{Integrity/Righteousness/Justice
of God -
To Censor God is to Injure Self}
23~~Who
has proscribed His Ways for Him?
Or said to Him . . . 'You have done wrong'?
24~~Remember to extol His work which men have praised in song.
25~~All mankind has seen it.
Men gaze on it from afar.
26~~How great is God/'El?
Beyond our understanding.
The number of His years?
Past finding out.
27~~He
draws up the drops of water
{example of knowledge of evaporation}.
They
are distilled as rain to the streams
{example of knowledge of precipitation}.
28~~The clouds pour down their moisture . . .
and abundant showers fall on mankind.
29~~Who can understand how God works?
He spreads out the clouds.
How He thunders from His pavilion.
30~~See how He scatters His lightening about Him.
Bathing the depths of the sea.
31~~This is the way He governs nations.
And provides food in abundance {a good economy}.
32~~He fills the hands with lightening . . .
and commands it to strike its mark.
33~~His thunder announces the coming storm.
Even the cattle make known His approach."
|
|
|
|
