In The Word
Read: Job 36-37
Elihu Speaks of God’s Dealings with Mankind
36 Then Elihu continued and said,
2 “Wait for me a little, and I will show you
That there is still more to be said on God’s behalf.
3 I will bring my knowledge from afar,
And 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 reject anyone;
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 shackles,
And are caught in the snares of misery,
9 Then He declares to them their work
And their wrongdoings, that they have been arrogant.
10 He opens their ears to instruction,
And commands that they return from injustice.
11 If they listen and serve Him,
They will end their days in prosperity,
And their years in happiness.
12 But if they do not listen, they will perish by the sword,
And die without knowledge.
13 But the godless in heart nurture anger;
They do not call for help when He binds them.
14 They die in youth,
And their life perishes among the cult prostitutes.
15 He rescues the afflicted in their misery,
And opens their ears in time of oppression.
16 Then indeed, He induced you away from the mouth of distress,
And instead of it, a broad place with no constraint;
And your table was full of rich food.
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 mockery;
And do not let the greatness of the ransom turn you aside.
19 Will your cry for help keep you from distress,
Or all the exertions of your strength?
20 Do not long for the night,
When people vanish in their places.
21 Be careful, do not turn to evil,
For you preferred this to misery.
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 are to exalt His work,
Of which people have sung.
25 All people have seen it;
Mankind looks at it 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 its celestial stream,
28 Which clouds pour down;
They drip upon mankind 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 them He judges peoples;
He gives food in abundance.
32 He covers His hands with the lightning,
And commands it to strike the target.
33 Its thundering voice declares His presence;
The livestock also, concerning what is coming up.
Elihu Says God Has Authority Over 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 travels to the ends of the earth.
4 After it, a voice roars;
He thunders with His majestic voice,
And He does not restrain the lightning when His voice is heard.
5 God thunders wondrously with His voice,
Doing great things which we do not 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 person,
So that all people may know His work.
8 Then the animal goes into its lair
And remains in its den.
9 From the south comes the storm,
And from the north wind the cold.
10 From the breath of God ice is made,
And the expanse of the waters is frozen.
11 He also loads the clouds with moisture;
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 earth,
Or for goodness, He causes it to happen.
14 “Listen to this, Job;
Stand and consider the wonders of God.
15 Do you know how God establishes them,
And makes the lightning of His clouds to shine?
16 Do you know about the hovering of the clouds,
The wonders of One who is 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 cast metal mirror?
19 Teach us what we are to say to Him;
We cannot present 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 people do not see the light which is bright in the skies;
But the wind has passed and cleared them.
22 From 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 violate justice and abundant righteousness.
24 Therefore people 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!