Elihu's Fourth Speech
In his former speeches Elihu was more theoretical, being intent upon
correcting the false principles in regard to God enunciated by Job
(see headings to ch. 33, 34, 35); in his present speech he is more
practical and hortatory. He keeps still before him the same great
object,... [ Continue Reading ]
Introductory: Elihu desires Job to hear him still further. He has
still more to say in God's behalf; and it is not trivial or
commonplace, either in its object for he will ascribe right to his
Maker; nor in itself, for he is one perfect in knowledge.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse reads,
Suffer me a little and I will shew thee;
For I have somewhat still to say on God's behalf.
The first words are lit. _wait for me a_little.... [ Continue Reading ]
_from afar_ He will speak comprehensively, embracing the distant parts
of the subject in his survey, or throwing light upon it from far-off
regions.
_righteousness to my Maker_ Elihu gives here in a word the ruling idea
of his discourses: they are all meant to ascribe righteousness or
right to God;... [ Continue Reading ]
The speaker makes a higher claim than to sincerity here; he claims the
character of absolute truth for his teaching he is perfect in
knowledge. In a slightly different form the phrase "perfect in
knowledge" is applied to God, ch. Job 37:16; cf. 1 Samuel 2:3.... [ Continue Reading ]
_and despiseth not_ Though God is mighty He despiseth or dis-daineth
not, He gives the weakest his rights as much as the most powerful, for
they are all the work of His hand, ch. Job 34:19. The words express
Elihu's conception of God, which He opposes to the conception of Job
(e.g. ch. 7 and often).... [ Continue Reading ]
Elihu's doctrine is in a word: God is great and despiseth not, He is
great in strength of heart. His greatness is that of understanding,
which enables Him to estimate all rightly, to see through all right
and wrong, and to adapt His providence to the strong and to the weak,
the evil and the good. Th... [ Continue Reading ]
Illustration of the operation of God's understanding, giving to all
conditions of men their due.
_right to the poor_ Rather, HIS RIGHT; _poor_may be, as marg.,
_afflicted_.... [ Continue Reading ]
The second half of the verse reads,
But with kings upon the throne
He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.
God's careful providence especially keeps the righteous, whom He
exalts to the loftiest stations, 1 Samuel 2:8; Psalms 113:7 _seq_.... [ Continue Reading ]
The expression "fetters" is rather to be taken figuratively, meaning
affliction or adversity, as "cords of affliction" in the next clause
suggests.... [ Continue Reading ]
If life often appears to present a different picture and men are seen
in affliction, this affliction is a discipline, needful to warn them
and bring their evil before them.... [ Continue Reading ]
_that they have exceeded_ Or, HAVE DEALT PROUDLY, ch. Job 33:17.... [ Continue Reading ]
The meaning of afflictions they are a divine warning and stimulus to
rouse men out of a sinful lethargy and bring their sin to their
remembrance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Such afflictions, though graciously meant, may have different issues
according as men receive them. On the expression "the sword" in Job
36:12 see ch. Job 33:18.... [ Continue Reading ]
_hypocrites in heart_ Rather, GODLESS IN HEART; comp. ch. Job 8:13.
_heap up wrath_ Rather, LAY UP ANGER, i. e. in their hearts, Psalms
13:2; Proverbs 26:24; they cherish anger at the Divine discipline (ch.
Job 5:2). The "wrath" or anger referred to is their own, not that of
God (Romans 2:5). The p... [ Continue Reading ]
Such afflictions indeed are sometimes the means of revealing what
character men are of, ch. Job 5:2.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They die_ lit. _their soul dieth._They perish in the midst of their
days.
_is among the unclean_ Or, PERISHETH AMONG THE UNCLEAN, i. e.
_like_the unclean. They die prematurely or in debasement like the
_hierodouloi_in the temples of Baal, comp. 1Ki 14:24; 1 Kings 15:12.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse goes back to the great general principle of the use of
affliction in God's hand (Job 36:8 _seq_.), in order to connect with
it the case of Job, and to found an exhortation to him upon it (Job
36:16 _seq_.). The word _in_affliction, _in_oppression, might mean
_through_affliction, &c.... [ Continue Reading ]
The words _even so_connect Job's case with the general principles in
regard to suffering just inculcated by Elihu. The figures of
"straitness" and "broad place" are usual for affliction and
prosperity, cf. ch. Job 18:7. The figure of a plenteous table is also
common, Psalms 23:5. The speaker does no... [ Continue Reading ]
Application to Job of the principles in regard to affliction just
enunciated by Elihu.
Job 36:16 are difficult and have been understood in a great variety of
ways. The general sense expressed by the A. V. is probably correct,
unless probability be considered too strong a term to employ of any
rende... [ Continue Reading ]
The A. V. takes this verse positively; it is more suitable to the
connexion and purpose of the speaker to understand it conditionally
_if thou art filled with_, or as A. V. _fulfillest_. To be full of, or
to fulfil, the judgment of the wicked, is to join the wicked in their
judgment of God when He a... [ Continue Reading ]
In this verse _wrath_appears to be that of Job, as "anger," Job 36:13.
Elihu warns him against allowing it to entice him into rebellion
against God, comp. ch. Job 34:37. The A. V. takes "wrath" as that of
God, visible in Job's afflictions. This gives a good parallel to the
"greatness of the ransom... [ Continue Reading ]
No other ransom will avail, not riches nor all the power of wealth.
Only the purification of suffering will cleanse him from his evil (cf.
ch. Job 34:36), and deliver him. Elihu demands with emphasis whether
all his riches will be accepted as a ransom? It need not be said that
the question is put me... [ Continue Reading ]
Elihu continues his warning to Job.
20. Desire not that night
When the peoples are cut off in their place;
21. Take heed, turn not unto iniquity,
For this thou choosest rather than affliction.
20. The "night" is as usual a figure for destruction and judgment. By
this destroying judgment of God... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse continues the warning against a rebellious mind under
affliction, called here "turning unto iniquity"; for Job shews himself
more inclined to this than to submission to God's chastening hand.... [ Continue Reading ]
_exalteth by his power_ Rather, GOD DOETH LOFTILY IN HIS POWER.
_who teacheth_ Or, WHO IS A TEACHER.... [ Continue Reading ]
Instead of murmuring Job should bow under the mighty hand of God, who
through the operations of His providence is a great teacher of men
(Job 36:22); who is supreme (Job 36:23); and whose work all men
celebrate (Job 36:24), looking to it with admiration and awe (Job
36:25).... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse expresses the idea that God is supreme; none enjoins or
appoints Him His way; He is "God over all;" and hence none can pass
judgment upon His doings.... [ Continue Reading ]
_which men behold_ Rather, WHICH MEN DO SING, that is, celebrate with
praise.... [ Continue Reading ]
The verse is better without the "may" of the A. V.
All men look thereon,
Man beholdeth it afar off.
Men look on God's work, His operations, with wonder and awe.... [ Continue Reading ]
_we know him not_ He is so great as to transcend all knowledge of man.
The Eternity of God is referred to in the second clause in order to
fill the mind more completely with the sense of His greatness.... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 36:26-33. The greatness and unsearchableness of God, seen in His
marvellous operations in the skies; and exhortation to Job to allow
these wonders duly to impress him, and to bow beneath the greatness of
God, who surpasses all comprehension
The passage has two sections:
First, ch. Job 36:26 to... [ Continue Reading ]
The wonder of the rain-drops.
27. For he maketh small the rain-drops;
They distil the rain of his vapour;
28. Which the clouds pour down,
And drop upon the multitude of mankind.
27. _he maketh small_ lit. _he draweth away_, the reference being
probably to the formation of the rain, which God dr... [ Continue Reading ]
_upon man abundantly_ This is possible, but the more natural meaning
is as above, the reference being to the universal reach of the rain,
and its fall on all mankind.
29 37:5. The marvel of the thunder-storm.... [ Continue Reading ]
The "spreadings" of the clouds refers probably to the accumulation and
diffusion of the storm clouds over the heavens; and the second clause
to the loud thundering within the dark cloud, where God is enshrouded,
and which is therefore called His "pavilion." So the word is rendered
Psalms 18:11, wher... [ Continue Reading ]
Job 36:30 needs some modification
29. Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds,
And the crashings of his pavilion?
30. Behold, he spreadeth his light around him,
And covereth him over with the deeps of the sea.... [ Continue Reading ]
Though God is enveloped in the dark cloud, He is there encircled with
His light, which, though the masses of waters cover Him, manifests
itself to men's eyes in the lightning that shoots from the cloud and
illumines it.
_the bottom of the sea_ lit. _the roots_of the sea, a singular figure,
which mu... [ Continue Reading ]
_For by them judgeth he the people_ Rather, the PEOPLES. He judges the
peoples by the lightning and the rain cloud. By the one He "scatters"
and "discomfits" His enemies (Psalms 18:14), and by the other He
watereth the earth and makes it fruitful (Isaiah 55:10).... [ Continue Reading ]
The verses read,
32. He covereth over his hands with light,
And giveth it commandment against the adversary;
33. His thundering telleth concerning him;
Unto the cattle, even concerning him that cometh up;
32. The "light" here is the lightning, which grasped in His hands
illuminates them. Hitzig... [ Continue Reading ]
_the cattle also_ The A. V. makes "cattle" subject they also tell of
God; in which case the reference would be to their presentiments of a
coming storm. The context, however, describes a storm actually
present, and it is more natural to repeat the words "it telleth" from
the first clause and render,... [ Continue Reading ]