Job 36:8

_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 36:8. _AND IF_ THEY BE _BOUND IN FETTERS_] These are _means_ which God uses, not of _punishment_, but of _correction_....

AND IF THEY BE BOUND IN FETTERS - That is, if the righteous are thrown into prison, and are subjected to oppressions and trials, or if they are chained down, as it were, on a bed of pain, or crushed by heavy calamities, the eye of God is still upon them. Their sufferings should not be regarded either as proof that they are hypocrites, or that God is regardless of them, and is indifferent whether people are good or evil. The true solution of the difficulty was, that God was then accomplishing purposes of discipline, and that happy results would follow if they would receive affliction in a proper manner....

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

AND IF [THEY BE] BOUND IN FETTERS,.... Not the wicked, as the Targum, but the righteous spoken of in Job 36:7, with which this is closely connected; and this is not to be understood of righteous kings on the throne in particular, or their special favourites, but of the righteous in general; and not in a literal sense, of their bonds and imprisonment for religion and righteousness sake, which is sometimes their lot; but in a figurative sense, of afflictions, as chastenings and corrections for sin, as appears by the next clause; and the design is to obviate an objection, and to show that the eye of God is upon them, and his heart towards them; and they are not the less objects of his love and delight, of his value and esteem, care and protection, though they are afflicted by him, and, as it may seem, used with some severity; seeing he has gracious ends and designs in all this, which are su...

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....

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....

E. GODPERSON, PROMISE, PURPOSE, AND PEOPLE (Job 36:1-33) 1. God deals with men according to their deeds; the penitent he restores, others perish. (Job 36:1-16) TEXT 36:1-16 1 ELIHU ALSO PROCEEDED, AND SAID, 2 Suffer me a little, and I will show thee; For I have yet somewhat to say on God's behalf. 3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar, And will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words are not false: One that is perfect in knowledge is with thee. 5 Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He preserveth not the life of the wicked, But giveth to the afflicted _their_ right. 7 He withdraweth not his eyes from the righteous: But with kings upon t