In The Word
Read: Job 36-37
Elihu Speaks of God’s Dealings with Men
36 Then Elihu continued and said,
2 “Wait for me a little, and I will show you
That there is yet more to be said in God’s behalf.
3 “I will fetch my knowledge from afar,
And I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4 “For truly my words are not false;
One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5 “Behold, God is mighty but does not despise any;
He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6 “He does not keep the wicked alive,
But gives justice to the afflicted.
7 “He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;
But with kings on the throne
He has seated them forever, and they are exalted.
8 “And if they are bound in fetters,
And are caught in the cords of affliction,
9 Then He declares to them their work
And their transgressions, that they have magnified themselves.
10 “He opens their ear to instruction,
And commands that they return from evil.
11 “If they hear and serve Him,
They will end their days in prosperity
And their years in pleasures.
12 “But if they do not hear, they shall perish by the sword
And they will die without knowledge.
13 “But the godless in heart lay up anger;
They do not cry for help when He binds them.
14 “They die in youth,
And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.
15 “He delivers the afflicted in their affliction,
And opens their ear in time of oppression.
16 “Then indeed, He enticed you from the mouth of distress,
Instead of it, a broad place with no constraint;
And that which was set on your table was full of fatness.
17 “But you were full of judgment on the wicked;
Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18 “Beware that wrath does not entice you to scoffing;
And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19 “Will your riches keep you from distress,
Or all the forces of your strength?
20 “Do not long for the night,
When people vanish in their place.
21 “Be careful, do not turn to evil,
For you have preferred this to affliction.
22 “Behold, God is exalted in His power;
Who is a teacher like Him?
23 “Who has appointed Him His way,
And who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?
24 “Remember that you should exalt His work,
Of which men have sung.
25 “All men have seen it;
Man beholds from afar.
26 “Behold, God is exalted, and we do not know Him;
The number of His years is unsearchable.
27 “For He draws up the drops of water,
They distill rain from the mist,
28 Which the clouds pour down,
They drip upon man abundantly.
29 “Can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds,
The thundering of His pavilion?
30 “Behold, He spreads His lightning about Him,
And He covers the depths of the sea.
31 “For by these He judges peoples;
He gives food in abundance.
32 “He covers His hands with the lightning,
And commands it to strike the mark.
33 “Its noise declares His presence;
The cattle also, concerning what is coming up.
Elihu Says God Is Back of the Storm
37 “At this also my heart trembles,
And leaps from its place.
2 “Listen closely to the thunder of His voice,
And the rumbling that goes out from His mouth.
3 “Under the whole heaven He lets it loose,
And His lightning to the ends of the earth.
4 “After it, a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain the lightnings when His voice is heard.
5 “God thunders with His voice wondrously,
Doing great things which we cannot comprehend.
6 “For to the snow He says, ‘Fall on the earth,’
And to the downpour and the rain, ‘Be strong.’
7 “He seals the hand of every man,
That all men may know His work.
8 “Then the beast goes into its lair
And remains in its den.
9 “Out of the south comes the storm,
And out of the north the cold.
10 “From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
11 “Also with moisture He loads the thick cloud;
He disperses the cloud of His lightning.
12 “It changes direction, turning around by His guidance,
That it may do whatever He commands it
On the face of the inhabited earth.
13 “Whether for correction, or for His world,
Or for lovingkindness, He causes it to happen.
14 “Listen to this, O Job,
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15 “Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His cloud to shine?
16 “Do you know about the layers of the thick clouds,
The wonders of one perfect in knowledge,
17 You whose garments are hot,
When the land is still because of the south wind?
18 “Can you, with Him, spread out the skies,
Strong as a molten mirror?
19 “Teach us what we shall say to Him;
We cannot arrange our case because of darkness.
20 “Shall it be told Him that I would speak?
Or should a man say that he would be swallowed up?
21 “Now men do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 “Out of the north comes golden splendor;
Around God is awesome majesty.
23 “The Almighty—we cannot find Him;
He is exalted in power
And He will not do violence to justice and abundant righteousness.
24 “Therefore men fear Him;
He does not regard any who are wise of heart.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
Job’s younger friend Elihu finishes his speech, which is summed up by the statements “Behold, God is mighty,” and “God is exalted in His power” (36:5, 22). In today’s two chapters, Elihu brags on the greatness of God because He has a merciful purpose for man (36:1–25), and that He displays His mighty power in nature (36:26–37:13).
Elihu urged Job to look past the problems, and to instead focus on the greatness of God by praising Him (36:22–25). He helps Job understand that God, in His mercy, may use sufferings to teach us (36:22). The proof that we are learning this lesson is that, even in the trials, we praise Him and thank Him. Praise shows that you are focused on the greatness of God, and not the size of the difficult situation you are facing. To help us understand this, God gave us the example of Paul and Silas. They understood that they were to praise God simply because He is great, even though they were in a difficult situation and in prison (Acts 16:25).
How has your praise for God been lately? Has it been full of passion, half-hearted, or non-existent? Has your praise been based on how God has performed for you, or whether or not He has met your expectations or demands? God is great, and He should be praised simply for His greatness. Take time right now to lift your hands and tell God how great He is. Let Him know you remember the great things He has done for you!