Portion For Reading Job 35-37
A. GOD IS JUST
1. Elihu condemns Job's reasoning (35:1-16)
a. He reproves Job for thinking righteousness does not profit
one
b. He claims that God is too great to be manipulated by man's
little deeds
c. He contends that God may not respond to cries for help
because of man's pride
d. He counsels Job to be patient and wait for God's justice,
for Job has been speaking prematurely and foolishly
Job 35:1-16
"Do you think this is just?
You say, 'I will be cleared by God. [a] '
Yet you ask him, 'What profit is it to me, [b]
and what do I gain by not sinning?'
"I would like to reply to you
and to your friends with you.
Look up at the heavens and see;
gaze at the clouds so high above you.
If you sin, how does that affect him?
If your sins are many, what does that do to him?
If you are righteous, what do you give to him,
or what does he receive from your hand?
Your wickedness affects only a man like yourself,
and your righteousness only the sons of men.
"Men cry out under a load of oppression;
they plead for relief from the arm of the powerful.
But no one says, 'Where is God my Maker,
who gives songs in the night,
who teaches more to us than to [c] the beasts of the earth
and makes us wiser than [d] the birds of the air?'
He does not answer when men cry out
because of the arrogance of the wicked.
Indeed, God does not listen to their empty plea;
the Almighty pays no attention to it.
How much less, then, will he listen
when you say that you do not see him,
that your case is before him
and you must wait for him,
and further, that his anger never punishes
and he does not take the least notice of wickedness. [e]
So Job opens his mouth with empty talk;
without knowledge he multiplies words."
2. Elihu proclaims God's goodness (36:1-23)
a. Asking Job to bear with him as he ascribes righteousness to
God
b. Claiming that God may use affliction to draw the righteous
to Himself
c. Job needs to take heed, for he has begun to act like the
hypocrites
Job 36:2-23
"Bear with me a little longer and I will show you
that there is more to be said in God's behalf.
I get my knowledge from afar;
I will ascribe justice to my Maker.
Be assured that my words are not false;
one perfect in knowledge is with you.
"God is mighty, but does not despise men;
he is mighty, and firm in his purpose.
He does not keep the wicked alive
but gives the afflicted their rights.
He does not take his eyes off the righteous;
he enthrones them with kings
and exalts them forever.
But if men are bound in chains,
held fast by cords of affliction,
he tells them what they have done—
that they have sinned arrogantly.
He makes them listen to correction
and commands them to repent of their evil.
If they obey and serve him,
they will spend the rest of their days in prosperity
and their years in contentment.
But if they do not listen,
they will perish by the sword [f]
and die without knowledge.
"The godless in heart harbor resentment;
even when he fetters them, they do not cry for help.
They die in their youth,
among male prostitutes of the shrines.
But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering;
he speaks to them in their affliction.
"He is wooing you from the jaws of distress
to a spacious place free from restriction,
to the comfort of your table laden with choice food.
But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked;
judgment and justice have taken hold of you.
Be careful that no one entices you by riches;
do not let a large bribe turn you aside.
Would your wealth
or even all your mighty efforts
sustain you so you would not be in distress?
Do not long for the night,
to drag people away from their homes. [g]
Beware of turning to evil,
which you seem to prefer to affliction.
"God is exalted in his power.
Who is a teacher like him?
Who has prescribed his ways for him,
or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?
3. Elihu proclaims God's majesty (36:24-37:24)
a. God's greatness is beyond comprehension, as seen in the rain cycle
b. God's greatness is seen in the thunder, snow, and rain
c. In view of such greatness, what can man teach God?
JOb 37:2-17
Listen! Listen to the roar of his voice,
to the rumbling that comes from his mouth.
God's voice thunders in marvelous ways;
he does great things beyond our understanding.
He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,'
and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.'
So that all men he has made may know his work,
he stops every man from his labor. [k]
The animals take cover;
they remain in their dens.
The tempest comes out from its chamber,
the cold from the driving winds.
The breath of God produces ice,
and the broad waters become frozen.
He loads the clouds with moisture;
he scatters his lightning through them.
At his direction they swirl around
over the face of the whole earth
to do whatever he commands them.
He brings the clouds to punish men,
or to water his earth [l] and show his love.
"Listen to this, Job;
stop and consider God's wonders.
Do you know how God controls the clouds
and makes his lightning flash?
Do you know how the clouds hang poised,
those wonders of him who is perfect in knowledge?
You who swelter in your clothes
when the land lies hushed under the south wind,
Source:ccel.org