Job 36:9

_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 36:9. _HE SHOWETH THEM THEIR WORK_] He shows them the exceeding sinfulness of sin. _THAT THEY HAVE EXCEEDED._] יתגברו _yithgabbaru_, "that they have strengthened themselves," and did not trust in the living God; and therefore they would not help themselves when trouble came....

THEN HE SHOWETH THEM THEIR WORK - What their lives have been. This he does either by a messenger sent to them Job 33:23, or by their own reflections Job 33:27, or by the influences of his Spirit leading them to a proper review of their lives. The object of their affliction, Elihu says, is to bring them to see what their conduct has been, and to reform what has been amiss. It should not be interpreted either as proof that the afflicted are eminently wicked, as the friends of Job maintained, or as furnishing an occasion for severe reflections on the divine government, such as Job had indulged in. It is all consistent with an equitable and kind administration; with the belief that the afflicted have true piety - though they have wandered and erred; and with the conviction that God is dealing

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

THEN HE SHOWETH THEM THEIR WORK,.... Either what they ought to do, so the Tigurine version; and which they have not done, their sins of omission; when they have been negligent either of the duty of prayer in private and public, or of attendance on the ordinances of the house of God; then he sends an affliction, and by it, as in a glass, presents to their view the omissions they have been guilty of: or else the work which they have done, and should not have done, their sins of commission: sin is a work at which some toil and labour, and weary themselves to commit; it is a work of the flesh; and so it is in good men; it is a man's own work, and which he can work of himself; to have a will, and to do good works, is owing to God working in his people, and it is through him strengthening them they do them; but sin fill works are their own act and deed, though tempted to them by others, and wh...

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....

TRANSGRESSIONS. Hebrew. _pasha'._ App-44....

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....