BOOK 18 OF 66 · WISDOM & POETRY · KING JAMES BIBLE

Job 36

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Job 36 Overview

Elihu begins his final discourse, insisting that God is mighty yet does not despise any. He says God teaches through affliction, warns against choosing iniquity rather than suffering, and turns attention toward God’s greatness displayed in rain, clouds, thunder, and the ordering of creation.

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Before you read Job 36

Coming from

Chapter 35 considered God’s transcendence and the problem of unanswered cries.

In this chapter

Elihu links suffering, instruction, and divine greatness, then begins shifting the discussion from Job’s case toward the wonders of creation.

Leads into

Chapter 37 continues the storm imagery and prepares directly for the LORD’s appearance out of the whirlwind.

Key understandingExplore deeper

Elihu’s teaching about affliction as instruction is a real biblical category, but Job’s case cannot be reduced to corrective discipline for a known offense. The most important movement is rhetorical: the debate is leaving human accusation and approaching contemplation of God’s works.

Major truths in this chapterExplore deeper

Truth 1

God’s greatness does not require Him to despise ordinary people.

Truth 2

Affliction can teach, but its purpose cannot always be diagnosed from outside.

Truth 3

Creation displays wisdom and power that exceed human control.

Connections to the rest of ScriptureExplore deeper

Connection 1

Psalm 19:1-6 presents creation as declaring God’s glory.

Connection 2

Hebrews 12:10-11 shows that discipline can have a formative purpose.

Connection 3

Romans 1:20 states that God’s power and Godhead are witnessed through creation.

What is clear, and where care is neededExplore deeper

Keep this clear 1

Do not make Elihu’s correction-through-affliction model the hidden explanation of Job 1–2.

Keep this clear 2

His warning against choosing iniquity should not be turned into the claim that Job caused his suffering.

Keep this clear 3

The weather imagery is preparing the reader for God’s speech and should be read as more than decorative poetry.

Read Job 36 watching for…

Elihu’s claim that God is mighty but does not despise.

The teaching function he assigns to affliction.

The warning against trying to purchase relief.

The repeated references to rain and clouds.

The transition from debate to creation.

Chapter outline5 sections

1-4Elihu continues speaking and says he will ascribe righteousness to his Maker 5-15Elihu describes God’s might, justice, and use of affliction to instruct and correct 16-21Elihu applies his warning to Job and tells him not to choose iniquity 22-26Elihu calls Job to magnify God’s work and greatness 27-33Elihu describes rain, clouds, lightning, thunder, and God’s rule through them

Elihu also proceeded, and said,

Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God's behalf.

I will fetch my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.

For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: he is mighty in strength and wisdom.

He preserveth not the life of the wicked: but giveth right to the poor.

He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: but with kings are they on the throne; yea, he doth establish them for ever, and they are exalted.

And if they be bound in fetters, and be holden in cords of affliction;

Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.

He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity.

If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.

But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

But the hypocrites in heart heap up wrath: they cry not when he bindeth them.

They die in youth, and their life is among the unclean.

He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.

Even so would he have removed thee out of the strait into a broad place, where there is no straitness; and that which should be set on thy table should be full of fatness.

But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee.

Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.

Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength.

Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place.

Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him?

Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?

Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold.

Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off.

Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out.

For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof:

Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly.

Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle?

Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea.

For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance.

With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt.

The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

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