Week 9 - Elihu Speaks Again - Job 36-37

This is his fourth speech.  This is notable because the others spoke three times (except for Zophar who could not respond to Job’s call for an indictment of himself by God).  This speech was added (yāsap̄).  Speeches 2 and 3 were instead introduced with the word “said” ('āmar).  This could have been seen as arrogant.

Job 36:1

And Elihu continued, and said:

But what also should be noted it that Job did not respond to any of Elihu's discourses.  They rang true and they could not be argued.

Elihu explains that on earth God executes justice and instructs through government.

Job 36:6-7

He does not keep the wicked alive,

    but gives the afflicted their right.

He does not withdraw his eyes from the righteous,

    but with kings on the throne

    he sets them forever, and they are exalted.

Those that do not follow His instruction through them receive just punishment.

Job 36:12
But if they do not listen, they perish by the sword

    and die without knowledge.

Elihu continues to explain that Job had followed God's instruction and was put in a special spot.

Job 36:16 

He also allured you out of distress

    into a broad place where there was no cramping,

    and what was set on your table was full of fatness. 

But this calamity caused Job to become judgmental.  

Job 36:17-18

“But you are full of the judgment on the wicked;

    judgment and justice seize you.

Beware lest wrath entice you into scoffing,

    and let not the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.

It is an easy temptation to take pride in quality of our doctrine, the excellence of our pulpit, and the height of our church's spire.  But with Job that pride turned to judgement, when his efforts did not protect him from this calamity.  This was the sin of Job.

Then Elihu goes on to explain that God teaches through nature.

Job 36:22-23

Behold, God is exalted in his power;

    who is a teacher like him?

Who has prescribed for him his way,

    or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?

Through it God demonstrates his power and the weakness of all others.

Job 37:6-8

For to the snow he says, ‘Fall on the earth,’

    likewise to the downpour, his mighty downpour.

He seals up the hand of every man,

    that all men whom he made may know it.

Then the beasts go into their lairs,

    and remain in their dens. 

 And the lesson in all this is:

Job 37:13

Whether for correction or for his land

    or for love, he causes it to happen.

Turning then to Job, Elihu challenges him to speak, because Elihu himself would not want to be put on the stand.

Job 37:19-20

Teach us what we shall say to him;

    we cannot draw up our case because of darkness.

Shall it be told him that I would speak?

    Did a man ever wish that he would be swallowed up?

 The Judge is about to enter the courtroom.