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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Job 36:15-23

Elihu here comes more closely to Job; and, I. He tells him what God would have done for him before this if he had been duly humbled under his affliction. ?We all know how ready God is to deliver the poor in his affliction (Job 36:15); he always was so. The poor in spirit, those that are of a broken and contrite heart, he looks upon with tenderness, and, when they are in affliction, is ready to help them. He opens their ears, and makes them to hear joy and gladness, even in their oppressions;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Job 36:15

He delivereth the poor in his affliction ,.... The righteous or godly poor; who are not only poor in worldly things, but poor in spirit; who are humbled, brought low, and made contrite, through the afflicting hand of God: these, though the Lord does sooner or later deliver "out" of their afflictions, yet that is not intended here, but a deliverance "in" them; which is done by supporting them under them, by supplying them with his grace to bear them patiently, by granting them his gracious... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Job 36:15

And openeth their ears in oppression - He will let them know for what end they are afflicted, and why he permits them to be oppressed. The word יגל yigel might be translated he shall make them exult, or sing with joy, in oppression; like the three Hebrews in the burning fiery furnace. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:1-21

Elihu to Job: 3. A sermon on the Divine administration. I. THE PREACHER INTRODUCES HIMSELF . 1 . As having something further to say. A man who has nothing to communicate should not emerge from the safe regions of obscurity which Providence designs he should adorn. But alas! of preachers, orators, lecturers, talkers, who babble on without contributing anything to elucidate their themes or enlighten their hearers, however much to gratify themselves, the number is legion.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:1-33

The two chapters, Job 36:1-33 ; Job 37:1-24 , form a single discourse, and ought not to have been separated; or, at any rate, not so unskilfully as they are, in the middle of a description of a thunderstorm. They constitute a final appeal to Job, who is exhorted to submission, resignation, and patience, in consideration of God's inscrutability, and of his perfect justice, wisdom, and strength. Job 36:1-33 begins with a short preface ( Job 36:1-4 ), in which Elihu seeks to prove his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:5-17

The perfectness of the Divine ways. Elihu continues to speak on God's behalf. He defends the Divine ways from what he esteems to be Job's reflections upon them. He will fain "ascribe righteousness ' to his "Maker." The perfectness and justness of the ways of him who is "mighty in strength and wisdom" is traced by Elihu in many instances. Though greatly exalted, God does not look disdainfully upon man; nor doth he despise the work of his own hands. His perfect work is seen— I. IN HIS ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:15

He delivereth the poor in his affliction ; rather, he delivereth the afflicted by his affliction (see the Revised Version). Elihu recurs to what he had said in Job 36:10 with respect to the discipline of affliction. The bulk of the afflictions sent by God are, according to him, intended to act medicinally. If the afflicted man receives them aright, they are the very means of his deliverance (comp. Psalms 119:67 , Psalms 119:71 ; Hebrews 12:11 ). And openeth their ears in... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Job 36:15

Affliction as a deliverer. Elihu says that God delivers the afflicted by his affliction. We have been accustomed to look on affliction as an evil, from which some deliverer may set us free. Elihu startles us with a very different view of it. In his opinion the affliction is itself a deliverer. I. AFFLICTION IS NOT THE GREATEST EVIL . In our selfish cowardice we look for some escape from pain, as though that were our supreme foe. But sin is worse than suffering—more hurtful,... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Job 36:15

He delivereth the poor in his affliction - Margin, “or afflicted.” This accords better with the usual meaning of the Hebrew word (עני ‛ânı̂y) and with the connection. The inquiry was not particularly respecting the “poor,” but the “afflicted,” and the sentiment which Elihu is illustrating is, that when the afflicted call upon God he will deliver them. The object is to induce Job to make such an application to God that he might be rescued from his calamities, and be permitted yet to enjoy life... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Job 36:15-16

Job 36:15-16 . And openeth their ears That is, causeth them to hear, and understand, and do the will of God; hearing being often put for obeying; in oppression That is, in the time of their oppression; or, by oppression, or tribulation, as the means of opening their ears and hearts. He will not deliver all afflicted persons, but only those whose ears he openeth to receive his counsels. Even so would he have removed thee If thou hadst opened thine ear to God’s counsels, humbled... read more

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