36:1 Elihu said further:
Chapters 36-37 contain Elihu’s third speech.
36:2 “Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf.
Although Elihu’s comments were a mixture of truth and error, he claimed that he was speaking for God. This is a very dangerous claim for a human being to make. The written word of God is today’s only revelation to man. When a charismatic claims that he has a prophecy, tongue, or word of knowledge from God, then he is disagreeing with Scripture. God has spoken to believers in these last days by His Son and by the written Scriptures. Those who are not grounded deeply in the entire counsel of the Word of God will be deceived by these so-called charismatic prophets.
36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
Elihu claimed that he had direct knowledge from the Creator God in which he desired to share with Job. Beware of men who claim that they have a message from God. When this claim is made, ask them if God gave this message to them verbally. Then, ask them to study
1 Corinthians 12-14 in the YEBC Study Bible.
36:4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you.
Like many charismatics and like Satan in the Garden of Eden, Elihu claimed that he had been given true words from God. This is one of Satan’s biggest tricks. He wants lazy Christians looking to the words of men rather than the written Word of God.
36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
Notice how Elihu mixed truth with error. God is omnipotent. He loves people, but He does not despise them. God is firm in His intent. However, God was not speaking absolute truth through Elihu. Elihu was giving his own human viewpoint and claiming that it was from God.
36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor.
Like Job’s three friends, Elihu claimed that God does not allow the wicked to live, but He does give justice to the poor. Elihu believed that good and wicked people would prosper and be judged in this lifetime. This is very similar to the message of the modern prosperity preachers.
Job disagreed with Elihu. Job stated that many times the wicked do live a long life and prosper in this lifetime, but they are judged in the afterlife. Again, Elihu possessed some bad theology and claimed that his words came from God.
36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
Elihu claimed that God will use kings to exalt those who are righteous. This is more false prosperity preaching.
36:8 But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction, 36:9 then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly.
Elihu claimed that sometimes the godly are bound in chains and held captive by affliction. This means that sometimes God does allow the godly to become afflicted. The purpose of this affliction is to reveal to the godly person his sinful nature. If a godly person in too proud, then God will send him affliction. This is more truth mixed with error. Sometimes, God will allow a godly person to suffer or even die as a martyr so that he can become a witness to the satanic world system. The divine martyr testimony always demonstrates that God is righteous and Satan is unrighteous. Satan would martyr every one of his enemies if God would allow him to do so. He asked for Job’s life. He asked to sift Peter. Satan attempts to remove godly men from their ministry, even if it causes them suffering and death. Evil has a purpose. Evil is destroying people who advance God’s word. Evil reveals the character of God compared to the character of Satan.
36:10 And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil.
Elihu was claiming that God sometimes has to send pain to get the attention of godly men who turns to evil. Sometimes this is true, but it was not true with Job.
36:11 If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness.
Elihu offered more prosperity preaching. Elihu claimed that those who serve God would experience long life and prosperity in their lifetime on earth.
36:12 But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge.
If the godly refuse to listen to the suffering that God has sent to them, then they will die in ignorance.
36:13 The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them.
Elihu claimed that the godless resent the discipline of God.
36:14 They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
Elihu claimed that godless men will die in their youth. They will live a life like cultic male prostitutes. Job disagreed, claiming that sometimes the godly live to a long and prosperous physical life.
36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
Elihu claimed that God delivered man by causing them to suffer and seek God. God revealed Himself through suffering. This is more bad theology. God reveals Himself through the written Word of God. According to Romans 10, He sends a believer to the elect to give them the gospel message. God will not allow a believer to suffer more than he can handle.
36:16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food.
Elihu claimed that God sent suffering to Job so that He can eliminate his sin and bring him to a table filled with rich food. This was more prosperity preaching.
36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you.
Elihu advised Job that he should not be so preoccupied with God administering justice in this situation.
36:18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
Elihu warned Job about being influenced by the rich and accepting bribes.
36:19 Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts?
Elihu warned Job that his money and accomplishments cannot buy his way out of his sin.
36:20 Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes.
The Hebrew metaphor is difficult to interpret in this verse. Elihu warned Job to either (1) stay away from the darkness of sin, or (2) do not long for death to take you away into darkness.
36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
Elihu warned Job not to turn back to evil. He believed that Job was being afflicted by God because of some secret sin in which he committed.
36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him?
Elihu reminded Job that God was omnipotent and the greatest teacher of all time. When the Pharisees sent the temple guards to arrest Jesus, they returned back unsuccessfully and said, “No one ever taught like this.”
36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’?
God does not need anyone to tell Him what to do. He does not need a council or a committee to make decisions. It is wrong for Job to criticize God for being silent.
36:24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song.
Elihu advised Job to praise God instead of criticizing Him.
36:25 All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar.
Elihu reminded Job that all of humanity has seen the greatness of God.
36:26 “Yes, God is great—beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable.
Elihu reminded Job of God’s omnipotence and eternal nature.
36:27 He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist, 36:28 which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly.
The Bible is not a science book, but it makes no errors whenever science is mentioned. The drops of water begin as minute molecules in a vapor state, but they condense into tiny liquid water droplets large enough to overcomes the updrafts and fall to the ground as rain.
36:29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion?
Modern meteorologists do not understand how a cloud spreads from a small to a large cloud-covered sky. Elihu also added that no one understands the cause of the noise from heaven. The Hebrew word for “pavilion” is סֻכָּה (sucah), meaning tabernacle or booth. The tabernacle on earth was patterned after God’s tabernacle in heaven. Even Elihu seemed to know about the heavenly tabernacle, although the earthly tabernacle would not be instructed until over 500 years later.
36:30 See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea.
Elihu reminded Job that God spreads lighting all over the earth and covers the sea floors with waters.
36:31 It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance.
Elihu reminded Job that God not only uses nature to judge nations, but to also bring them an abundance of crops for food.
36:32 With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target.
God is sovereign over all things, including where lightning strikes.
36:33 His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm’s approach.
Elihu reminded Job that God uses thunder to warn others of a coming storm. He uses lightning to remind cattle of an approaching storm.
+++
37:1 At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place.
Elihu’s heart pounds at the magnificence of God’s power.
37:2 Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth.
It is possible that a thunderstorm was approaching. Elihu asked his audience to listen to God’s thunderous voice.
37:3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth.
God’s thunder and lightning show is a tremendous and marvelous spectacle to watch.
37:4 After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard.
God voices with thunder and then strikes with lightning.
37:5 God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding.
No one understands how God accomplishes these awesome thunder and light demonstrations.
37:6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall to earth,’ and to the torrential rains, ‘Pour down.’
Notice that Elihu mentioned snow in the Middle East. The time period of Job was shortly after Noah’s flood. This global flood could have caused a mini-ice age which was still effecting Job’s people.
37:7 He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work.
When God causes it to snow or rain, then everyone must stop working. Everyone must recognize that God is in charge.
37:8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain.
When God causes it to rain or snow, then animals must run to their shelters and hibernate.
37:9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds.
These icy conditions in the Middle East may have been caused by a mini ice age after the flood.
37:10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid.
God can freeze up lakes by simply breathing upon them.
37:11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds.
Dr. Henry Morris gives a good scientific interpretation of this verse:
Although the language is figurative, the meteorology is accurate. The mystery of the “balancing of the clouds,” keeping them aloft against the force of gravity, is mentioned in Job 26:8 and 37:16. This mystery has been solved by modern science, so that it is now understood that the droplets of liquid water in the clouds are kept aloft by the force exerted by updrafts of wind. When the droplets coalesce to form large drops of water, however, then their weight can overcome these forces and the drops will fall to the ground as rain or snow. That is, by increased “watering,” the clouds become thick and can no longer maintain their stability, being “wearied,” so to speak. Note also Job 36:27,28. The condensation of water vapor into droplets and then into raindrops or snowflakes is apparently facilitated by electrical discharges in the atmosphere—the lightning, then thunder, then rain or snow. Note Job 37:3-6.
37:12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world.
God controls all of the storms all over the earth.
37:13 Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark.
The storms can be used by God for either judgment or mercy. The storm can either ruin and flood crops, or it can water the soil and bring about abundant harvests.
37:14 “Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works.
Elihu asked Job to pay attention to the miraculous works of God.
37:15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud?
Elihu asked Job if he knew how God flashes lightning across the sky. The phenomena of the water cycle has been studied in great detail, but little of it is understood. Today’s modern weather forecast is still largely statistical, as much art as science.
37:16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge?
Elihu asked Job if he knew how God balanced the clouds in the sky.
37:17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind, 37:18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal?
Elihu asked Job if he could spread out the clouds and cause people to perspire on a hot summer day.
37:19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness.
If Job cannot explain how God controls nature, then how can he demand to stand up to God in a legal court case? How can Job even begin to prepare his case, since he is living in such darkness?
37:20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up!
If Job accused God of any wrong doing, then God would just simply swallow him up.
37:21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at— it is bright in the skies— after a wind passed and swept the clouds away.
Man cannot even look in the sun without burning his eyes. How can Job hope to stare God in the face and accuse him of any wrong doing?
37:2 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty.
It is possible that Elihu and his audience was watching God appear in his Shechinah Glory, which was coming from the north.
37:23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress.
Elihu reminded Job that God is so great in power, that man cannot compare to Him. Not only does God possess omnipotence, but He is also just, righteous, and He does not oppress people.
37:24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.”
People fear God. Fearing God means recognizing God’s supremacy and man’s inferiority. Since Job wanted to challenge God on this situation, then Job was not respecting God. Elihu was confident that God’s dealing with Job were not to oppress him, but to strengthen him in some unknown and divine way.
It is important to note that Job never answered Elihu. He may have seen some truth in what Elihu said. Job may have learned that God was to be worshiped, not criticized. Job’s heart was now ready for a divine visit from God.