# Job 36 đ: Elihu Extols God's Greatness
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[[-Job Overview]] | [[Job 35]] | [[Job 37]]
> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#đ Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#đ§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#âď¸ Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#đ Key Principles / đ Life Application]]
> [[#đŹ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#âď¸ Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#đ Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#đ Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#đ Internal Notes]]
## đ Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
## Elihuâs Fourth Speech
[[#Verse 01.]]Â Elihu said further:
[[#Verse 02.]] âBe patient with me a little longer
and I will instruct you,
for I still have words to speak on Godâs behalf.
[[#Verse 03.]]Â With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively,
and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness.
[[#Verse 04.]]Â For in truth, my words are not false;
it is one complete in knowledge
who is with you.
[[#Verse 05.]]Â Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people,
he is mighty, and firm in his intent.
[[#Verse 06.]]Â He does not allow the wicked to live,
but he gives justice to the poor.
[[#Verse 07.]] He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
but with kings on the throne
he seats the righteous and exalts them forever.
[[#Verse 08.]]Â But if they are bound in chains,
and held captive by the cords of affliction,
[[#Verse 09.]] then he reveals to them what they have done,
and their transgressions,
that they were behaving proudly.
[[#Verse 10.]] And he reveals this for correction,
and says that they must turn from evil.
[[#Verse 11.]]Â If they obey and serve him,
they live out their days in prosperity
and their years in pleasantness.
[[#Verse 12.]]Â But if they refuse to listen,
they pass over the river of death,
and expire without knowledge.
[[#Verse 13.]] The godless at heart nourish anger,
they do not cry out even when he binds them.
[[#Verse 14.]] They die in their youth,
and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes.
[[#Verse 15.]] He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions,
he reveals himself to them by their suffering.
[[#Verse 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.
[[#Verse 17.]]Â But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked,
judgment and justice take hold of you.
[[#Verse 18.]] Be careful that no one entices you with riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
[[#Verse 19.]] Would your wealth sustain you,
so that you would not be in distress,
even all your mighty efforts?
[[#Verse 20.]]Â Do not long for the cover of night
to drag people away from their homes.
[[#Verse 21.]]Â Take heed, do not turn to evil,
for because of this you have been tested by affliction.
[[#Verse 22.]]Â Indeed, God is exalted in his power;
who is a teacher like him?
[[#Verse 23.]]Â Who has prescribed his ways for him?
Or said to him, âYou have done what is wickedâ?
[[#Verse 24.]] Remember to extol his work,
which people have praised in song.
[[#Verse 25.]]Â All humanity has seen it;
people gaze on it from afar.
## The Work and Wisdom of God
[[#Verse 26.]]Â âYes, God is greatâbeyond our knowledge!
The number of his years is unsearchable.
[[#Verse 27.]]Â He draws up drops of water;
they distill the rain into its mist,
[[#Verse 28.]]Â which the clouds pour down
and shower on humankind abundantly.
[[#Verse 29.]]Â Who can understand the spreading of the clouds,
the thunderings of his pavilion?
[[#Verse 30.]] See how he scattered his lightning about him;
he has covered the depths of the sea.
[[#Verse 31.]] It is by these that he judges the nations
and supplies food in abundance.
[[#Verse 32.]] With his hands he covers the lightning,
and directs it against its target.
[[#Verse 33.]]Â His thunder announces the coming storm,
the cattle also, concerning the stormâs approach.
## đ Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
###### Verse 22.
###### Verse 23.
###### Verse 24.
###### Verse 25.
###### Verse 26.
###### Verse 27.
###### Verse 28.
###### Verse 29.
###### Verse 30.
###### Verse 31.
###### Verse 32.
###### Verse 33.
## đ¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. Elihu says he speaks on God's behalf (36:2), showing his confidence.
2. Elihu calls himself one who is perfect in knowledge (36:4). In 37:16 he uses the same phrase of God.
3. In 36:5 Elihu calls God mighty twice, using the same Hebrew word for emphasis.
4. Being bound in chains and cords of affliction (36:8) is a common biblical picture of suffering (Psalm 107:10).
5. Elihu teaches that suffering can be a warning and a call to listen (36:10), not only a sign of judgment.
6. Elihu warns Job not to let a large ransom or bribe turn him aside (36:18).
7. Elihu asks, "Who is a teacher like Him?" (36:22).
8. Elihu describes God drawing up drops of water and distilling them as rain (36:27-28), a simple picture of the water cycle (Ecclesiastes 1:7).
9. God's years cannot be counted (36:26), echoing Psalm 90:2 and 102:27.
10. The end of the chapter turns to thunder and lightning (36:29-33), preparing for the Lord to speak out of the storm (38:1).
## đ§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## âď¸ Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the great Teacher who opens our ears through affliction (36:15, 22). Jesus learned obedience through what He suffered (Hebrews 5:8), and God disciplines His children for their good so they may share His holiness (Hebrews 12:10).
## đ Key Principles / đ Life Application
> [!note] đą Still growing. This section is on its way.
## đŹ Discussion Questions
1. Elihu says God is mighty but despises no one (36:5). How does that truth speak to someone who feels forgotten?
2. God delivers the afflicted through their affliction and opens their ears by adversity (36:15). How has God taught you in hard seasons?
3. God is great beyond our understanding, and His years cannot be counted (36:26). Why is it good news that God is bigger than we can understand?
## âď¸ Key Verses to Remember
- đ verse 5: God is mighty, yet He does not despise anyone.
- đ verse 15: God delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ears by adversity.
- đ verse 26: God is great beyond our knowledge; the number of His years cannot be searched out.
## đ Related Passages/Cross Reference
- đ [[Hebrews 12#Verse 10.|Hebrews 12:10-11]] - Discipline produces righteousness and peace.
- đ [[Hebrews 05#Verse 08.|Hebrews 5:8]] - Jesus learned obedience through suffering.
- đ [[Psalm 119#Verse 67.|Psalm 119:67, 71]] - It was good for me to be afflicted.
- đ [[Psalm 90#Verse 02.|Psalm 90:2]] - From everlasting to everlasting, You are God.
- đ [[Romans 11#Verse 33.|Romans 11:33]] - Oh, the depth of God's wisdom and knowledge.
## đ Devotional Reflection
đ SOAP: [[Job 36 - SOAP|God Doesnât Hate You]]
## đ Internal Notes