Job 36

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:18

The uselessness of a great ransom. Job had sinned, says Elihu, though not in the black and hypocritical way that his three friends attributed to him. His sin had been in judging God, and charging the Holy One with injustice; and this sin brought its own punishment; indeed, it was its own punishment, because to think that God, our Maker and our Judge, is unjust is to be in torment. Now Job is told that if he holds to this sin the greatness of a ransom will be of no avail; he cannot be saved. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:19

Will he esteem thy riches! rather, Will thy riches suffice? (Revised Version); or Will they stand the shock of battle? (Schultens). Will they be a sufficient strength to thee in the time of trouble? No, not gold . This rendering is now generally given up, and the words, lo betsar ( לא בצר ), are taken in connection with the preceding sentence, thus: Will thy riches suffice ' that thou be not in distress? or, in other words, Will they keep thee out of trouble? If not,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:20

Desire not the night, when people (rather, peoples ) are cut off in their place . This is an allusion to Job's repeatedly expressed desire to be cut off at once, and laid in the grave ( Job 6:9 ; Job 7:15 ; Job 14:13 , etc.). Elihu holds that such a desire is wrongful. It certainly implies a want of complete resignation to the Divine will. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:21

Take heed, regard not iniquity ; i.e. be on thy guard . Whilst thou art careful to preserve thy integrity and faith in God, do not fall into sin in other respects—as by impatient desires, or proud thoughts, or rash accusations of God. For this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. Rather than acquiesce in thy afflictions and bear them patiently, thou hast elected to murmur, to complain, to question the justice of God, and speak overboldly concerning him. There is some ground for... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:22

Behold, God exalteth by his power ; rather, behold , God doeth loftily in his power (see the Revised Version). Who teacheth like him? This has been called "the key-note of Elihu's whole discourse" (Cook). The entire providential government of the world by God he views as didactic, as a series of moral lessons addressed to men by their Maker (see Job 33:14 , Job 33:16 ; Job 35:11 ; Job 36:9 , etc.). If the lessons intended are taken to heart, then all goes well with men; if they... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:22

Exaltation and instruction. Both of these are from God, and both of them exceed any human effort. It is his power that exalts; he is the incomparable Teacher. Let us look at both of these truths and then at their mutual relations. I. DIVINE EXALTATION . 1 . The experience. God's people are not kept in perpetual depression. Sometimes they are cast down to the dust. But this is not their continual state. Salvation is not attained by means of ceaseless humiliation. There is... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:22-33

Elihu to Job: 4. A sermon on the greatness of God. I. ABSOLUTE IN HIS SOVEREIGNTY . 1 . Ruling by his own power. "Behold, God exalteth" ( se. himself), i.e. showeth himself to be exalted, "acteth loftily" (Delitzsch) "in his strength" (verse 22). The universal empire of God is based on his omnipotence. With him might and right are co-ordinate and coextensive. "He ruleth by his power for ever; his eyes behold the nations: let not the rebellious exalt themselves" ( Psalms... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:23

Who hath enjoined him his way? (comp. Job 34:13 ). While God is thus the universal and all-perfect Teacher, there are some who would fain instruct him, dictate the course which he ought to pursue, improve and amend his universe. Something of this spirit has appeared in Job's remonstrances, which seem to insinuate that the Divine government of the world might be carried on better than it is (see Job 9:22-24 ; Job 10:3 ; Job 13:20-26 ; Job 16:11-17 , etc.). Elihu's intention is to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:24

Remember that thou magnify his work . Instead of murmuring, Job should "magnify God's work." He should recognize the mercy of God, even in his own afflictions, and praise him for it. Which men behold. Men are looking on, anxiously considering Job's sufferings; he is a spectacle to them, as the apostles were to men and angels ( 1 Corinthians 4:9 ), and the more reason therefore that he should, by patient endurance, by submission and confession, cause his sufferings to redound to the glory... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:24

God praised for his works. I. CONSIDER HOW WORTHY OF PRAISE ARE THE WORKS OF GOD . We do not prize them so much fro' their vast bulk and infinite number as for their character and the manner in which they are executed. A small statue is more admirable than a huge boulder, and a minute and finely cut gem more precious than a great sea crag. Wherein, then, shall we find the specially praiseworthy characteristics of the works of God? 1 . In thoroughness. The infinitely... read more

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