Job 36:10

_AND IF THEY BE BOUND IN FETTERS, AND BE HOLDEN IN CORDS OF AFFLICTION;_ If they be afflicted, it is no proof that they are hypocrites, as the friends maintain; or that God disregards them, and is indifferent whether men are good or bad, as Job asserts: God is thereby, 'disciplining them,' and 'showing them their sins,' and if they bow in a right spirit under God's visiting hand, the greatest blessings ensue. Verse 9. WORK - transgression: so "work" is used, Job 33:17, margin. THAT ... EXCEEDED - `in that they behaved themselves mightily'-literally, as mighty heroes х_ YITGABAARUW _ (H1396)]; i:e., presumptuously, or, at least, self-confidently. Verse 10. (Job 33:16;...

14-26 As in prosperity we are ready to think our mountain will never be brought low; so when in adversity, we are ready to think our valley will never be filled up. But to conclude that to-morrow must be as this day, is as absurd as to think that the weather, when either fair or foul, will be always so. When Job looked up to God, he had no reason to speak despairingly. There is a day of judgment, when all that seems amiss will be found to be right, and all that seems dark and difficult will be cleared up and set straight. And if there is Divine wrath in our troubles, it is because we quarrel with God, are fretful, and distrust Divine Providence. This was Job's case. Elihu was directed by God to humble Job, for as to some things he had both opened his mouth in vain, and had multiplied words without knowledge. Let us be admonished, in our afflictions, not so much to set forth the greatness...

Verse Job 36:10. _HE OPENETH ALSO THEIR EAR_] He gives them to _understand_ the reason why they are thus corrected, and commands them to _return_ from those iniquities which have induced him to visit them with afflictions and distresses....

HE OPENETH ALSO THEIR EAR TO DISCIPLINE - To teaching; or he makes them willing to learn the lessons which their afflictions are designed to teach; coral). See the notes at Job 33:16....

EXPOSITION JOB 36:1 The two chapters, Job 36:1; Job 37:1, form a single discourse, and ought not to have been separated; or, at any rate, not so unskilfully as they are, in the middle of a description of a thunderstorm. They constitute a final appeal to Job, who is exhorted to submission, resignation, and patience, in consideration of God's inscrutability, and of his perfect justice, wisdom, and strength. Job 36:1 begins with a short preface (Job 36:1), in which Elihu seeks to prove his right to offer counsel to Job, after which God's justice is

HE OPENETH ALSO THEIR EAR TO DISCIPLINE,.... Or "to correction" o; to the rod of correction; to hear the voice of it and him that has appointed it; its reproving voice for sin, its directing voice to duty, and its commanding voice to return from iniquity, as in the next clause. Or "to instruction" p; God's corrections of his people being instructions to them, whereby they learn more of their duty, and of the rich experiences of grace; their faith, hope, love, and patience, are tried and increased hereby; and more of the love of God, of his care and faithfulness, of his covenant, of his gracious presence, and communion with God, what it is; and even of the doctrines of the everlasting Gospel: sometimes more is learned by an affliction than by a sermon. Now in order to hearken hereunto, to the voice of God in an affliction, the ear must be opened; which is first done in conversion by the m...

CHAPTER 36:1-21 _ 1. God's care over the godly (Job 36:1)_ 2. The purposes of affliction (Job 36:8) 3. Job to consider this (Job 36:19) Job 36:1. Elihu had told Job in the last verse of the preceding chapter that he had opened his mouth in vanity and had multiplied words without knowledge. That should have explained to Job the reason why God did not answer. There could be no reply from Job and so Elihu continues. He is not through yet with speaking in behalf of God. Sublimely he stands up for God. “I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.” He tells Job, “One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.” How could he say this? Becau

God is mighty, yet despises none. He destroys the wicked, but watches over the righteous, exalting them to honour. If He afflicts them it is to bring home to them their sin. Thus God instructs them and teaches them repentance. If they repent they prosper, but, if not, destruction is their portion. In Job 36:5 b read He is mighty in strength and understanding (Ley). In Job 36:7 read his sight with LXX instead of his eyes....

INIQUITY. Hebrew. _'aven_. App-44. Not the same word as Job 36:23....

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. This thought with the illustrations of it, Job 36:6, and the application of it to Job, vv16-25, exhaust the first half of this concluding speech....