ELIHU SPAKE - Hebrew, ויען _vaya‛an_ “And he answered”; the word “answer” being used, as it is often in the Scriptures, to denote the commencement of a discourse. We may suppose that Elihu had paused at the close of his second discourse, possibly with a view to see whether there was any disposition... [ Continue Reading ]
THINKEST THOU THIS TO BE RIGHT? - This is the point which Elihu now proposes to examine. He, therefore, solemnly appeals to Job himself to determine whether he could himself say that he thought such a sentiment correct. THAT THOU SAIDST, MY RIGHTEOUSNESS IS MORE THAN GOD’S - Job had nowhere said thi... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THOU SAIDST - Another sentiment of a similar kind which Elihu proposes to examine. He had already adverted to this sentiment of Job in Job 34:9, and examined it at some length, and had shown in reply to it that God could not be unjust, and that there was great impropriety when man presumed to ar... [ Continue Reading ]
I WILL ANSWER THEE - Margin, “return to thee words.” Elihu meant to explain this more fully than it had been done by the friends of Job, and to show where Job was in error. AND THY COMPANIONS WITH THEE - Eliphaz, in Job 22:2, had taken up the same inquiry, and proposed to discuss the subject, but h... [ Continue Reading ]
LOOK UNTO THE HEAVENS, AND SEE - This is the commencement of the reply which Elihu makes to the sentiment which he had understood Job to advance, and which Eliphaz had proposed formerly to examine. The general object of the reply is, to show that God is so great that he cannot be affected with human... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU SINNEST, WHAT DOEST THOU AGAINST HIM? - This should not be interpreted as designed to justify sin, or as saying that there is no evil in it, or that God does not regard it. That is not the point or scope of the remark of Elihu. His object is to show that God is not influenced in his treatmen... [ Continue Reading ]
IF THOU BE RIGHTEOUS, WHAT GIVEST THOU HIM? - The same sentiment substantially as in the previous verses. It is, that God is supreme and independent. He does not desire such benefits from the services of his friends and is not so dependent on them; as to be induced to interpose in their favor, in an... [ Continue Reading ]
THY WICKEDNESS MAY HURT A MAN AS THOU ART - That is, it may injure him, but not God. He is too far exalted above man, and too independent of man in his sources of happiness, to be affected by what he can do. The object of the whole passage Job 35:6 is, to show that God is independent of people, and... [ Continue Reading ]
BY REASON OF THE MULTITUDE OF OPPRESSIONS THEY MAKE THE OPPRESSED TO CRY - It is not quite easy to see the connection which this verse has with what goes before, or its bearing on the argument of Elihu. It seems however, to refer to the “oppressed in general,” and to the fact, to which Job had himse... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NONE SAITH - That is, none of the oppressed and down-trodden say. This is the solution which Elihu gives of what appeared so mysterious to Job, and of what Elihu regarded as the source of the bitter complaints of Job. The solution is, that when people are oppressed they do not apply to God with... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO TEACHETH US MORE THAN THE BEASTS OF THE EARTH - Who is able to teach us mere than the irrational creation; that is, in regard to the nature and design of affliction. They suffer without knowing why. They are subjected to toil and hardships; endure pain, and die, without any knowledge why all thi... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE THEY CRY - They cry out in the language of complaint, but not for mercy. BECAUSE OF THE PRIDE OF EVIL MEN - That is, of their own pride. The pride of men so rebellious, and so disposed to complain of God, is the reason why they do not appeal to him to sustain them and give them relief. This is... [ Continue Reading ]
SURELY GOD WILL NOT HEAR VANITY - A vain, hollow, heartless petition. The object of Elihu here is to account for the reason why sufferers are not relieved - having his eye, doubtless, on the case of Job as one of the most remarkable of the kind. The solution which he here gives of the difficulty is,... [ Continue Reading ]
ALTHOUGH THOU SAYEST THOU SHALT NOT SEE HIM - This is addressed to Job, and is designed to entreat him to trust in God. Elihu seems to refer to some remark that Job had made, like that in Job 23:8, where he said that he could not come near him, nor bring his cause before him. If he went to the east,... [ Continue Reading ]
BUT NOW, BECAUSE IT IS NOT SO - This verse, as it stands in our authorized translation, conveys no intelligible idea. It is evident that the translators meant to give a literal version of the Hebrew, but without understanding its sense. An examination of the principal words and phrases may enable us... [ Continue Reading ]
THEREFORE - In view of all that Elihu had now said, be came to the conclusion that the views of Job were erroneous, and that he had no just cause of complaint. He had suffered no more than he had deserved; he might have obtained a release or mitigation if he had applied to God; and the government of... [ Continue Reading ]