Job 36

Those Who Learn from Their Suffering

1-4 Here Elihu took a deep breath, but kept going: "Stay with me a little longer. I'll convince you. There's still more to be said on God's side. I learned all this firsthand from the Source; everything I know about justice I owe to my Maker himself. Trust me, I'm giving you undiluted truth; believe me, I know these things inside and out.
5-15 "It's true that God is all-powerful, but he doesn't bully innocent people. For the wicked, though, it's a different story— he doesn't give them the time of day, but champions the rights of their victims. He never takes his eyes off the righteous; he honors them lavishly, promotes them endlessly. When things go badly, when affliction and suffering descend, God tells them where they've gone wrong, shows them how their pride has caused their trouble. He forces them to heed his warning, tells them they must repent of their bad life. If they obey and serve him, they'll have a good, long life on easy street. But if they disobey, they'll be cut down in their prime and never know the first thing about life. Angry people without God pile grievance upon grievance, always blaming others for their troubles. Living it up in sexual excesses, virility wasted, they die young. But those who learn from their suffering, God delivers from their suffering.

Obsessed with Putting the Blame on God

16-21 "Oh, Job, don't you see how God's wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he's drawing you into wide-open places— inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God! Don't let your great riches mislead you; don't think you can bribe your way out of this. Did you plan to buy your way out of this? Not on your life! And don't think that night, when people sleep off their troubles, will bring you any relief. Above all, don't make things worse with more evil— that's what's behind your suffering as it is!
22-25 "Do you have any idea how powerful God is? Have you ever heard of a teacher like him? Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'? Remember, then, to praise his workmanship, which is so often celebrated in song. Everybody sees it; nobody is too far away to see it.

No One Can Escape from God

26 "Take a long, hard look. See how great he is—infinite, greater than anything you could ever imagine or figure out!
27-33 "He pulls water up out of the sea, distills it, and fills up his rain-cloud cisterns. Then the skies open up and pour out soaking showers on everyone. Does anyone have the slightest idea how this happens? How he arranges the clouds, how he speaks in thunder? Just look at that lightning, his sky-filling light show illumining the dark depths of the sea! These are the symbols of his sovereignty, his generosity, his loving care. He hurls arrows of light, taking sure and accurate aim. The High God roars in the thunder, angry against evil."

Job 36

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 the throne He setteth them for ever, and they are exalted.

8 And if they be bound in fetters, And be taken in the cords of afflictions;

9 Then he showeth them their work, And their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.

10 He openeth also their ear to instruction, And commandeth that they return from iniquity.

11 If they hearken and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.

12 But if they hearken not, they shall perish by the sword, And they shall die without knowledge.

13 But they that are godless in heart lay up anger: They cry not for help when he bindeth them.

14 They die in youth, And their life perisheth among the unclean.

15 He delivereth the afflicted by their affliction, And openeth their ear in oppression.

16 Yea, he would have allured thee out of distress Into a broad place, where there is no straitness; And that which is set on thy table would be full of fatness.

17 But thou art full of the judgment of the wicked: Judgment and justice take hold on thee.

18 For let not wrath stir thee up against chastisements; Neither let the greatness of the ransom turn thee aside.

19 Will thy cry avail, that thou be not in distress, Or all the forces of thy strength?

20 Desire not the night, When peoples are cut off in their place.

21 Take heed, regard not iniquity: For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction.

22 Behold, God doeth loftily in his power: Who is a teacher like unto him?

23 Who hath enjoined him his way? Or who can say, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?

24 Remember that thou magnify his work, Whereof men have sung.

25 All men have looked thereon; Man beholdeth it afar off.

26 Behold, God is great, and we know him not; The number of his years is unsearchable.

27 For he draweth up the drops of water, Which distil in rain from his vapor,

28 Which the skies pour down And drop upon man abundantly.

29 Yea, can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, The thunderings of his pavilion?

30 Behold, he spreadeth his light around him; And he covereth the bottom of the sea.

31 For by these he judgeth the peoples; He giveth food in abundance.

32 He covereth his hands with the lightning, And giveth it a charge that it strike the mark.

33 The noise thereof telleth concerning him, The cattle also concerning the storm that cometh up.