Job
Summary
Job Chapter 36 is the continuation of Elihu's fourth and longest speech, where he defends God's justice and sovereignty. He describes God as mighty but not despising any, one who is "perfect in knowledge" and who watches over the righteous. Elihu suggests that suffering is a form of "discipline" from God to turn people from their sins. He warns Job not to be enticed by his wealth or to "turn to iniquity" because of his affliction. The chapter transitions into a magnificent description of God's power in nature: how He draws up the raindrops from vapour and spreads His light over the sea: and concludes with the incomprehensible greatness of God's years.
Elihu continued:
"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you that there is more to be said on God's behalf."
"I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker."
"Be assured that my words are not false; one who is perfect in knowledge is with you."
"God is mighty, but he does not despise anyone; he is mighty, and firm in his purpose."
"He does not keep the wicked alive but gives the afflicted their rights."
"He does not take his eyes off the righteous; he enthrones them with kings and exalts them for ever."
"But if people are bound in shackles, held fast by cords of affliction,"
"he tells them what they have done, that they have sinned arrogantly."
"He makes them listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil."
"If they obey and serve him, they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity and their years in contentment."
"But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword and die without knowledge."
"The godless in heart harbour resentment; even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help."
"They die in their youth, among the male shrine prostitutes."
"But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction."
"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress to a spacious place free from restriction, to the comfort of a table laden with choice food."
"But now you are laden with the judgement due to the wicked; judgement and justice have taken hold of you."
"Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside."
"Would your wealth or even all your mighty efforts sustain you so you would not be in distress?"
"Do not long for the night, to drag people away from their homes."
"Beware of turning to iniquity, which you seem to prefer to affliction."
"God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?"
"Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?"
"Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song."
"All humanity has seen it; mortals gaze on it from afar."
"How great is God, beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out."
"He draws up the drops of water, which distil as rain from the vapour;"
"the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind."
"Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion?"
"See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea."
"This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance."
"He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark."
"His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach."