Verses 15–23
Elihu shows that Job caused the continuance of his own trouble. He cautions him not to persist
in frowardness. Even good men need to be kept to their duty by the fear of God's wrath; the wisest
and best have enough in them to deserve his stroke. Let not Job continue his unjust quarrel with
God and his providence. And let us never dare to think favourably of sin, never indulge it, nor allow
ourselves in it. Elihu thinks Job needed this caution, he having chosen rather to gratify his pride
and humour by contending with God, than to mortify them by submitting, and accepting the
punishment. It is absurd for us to think to teach Him who is himself the Fountain of light, truth,
knowledge, and instruction. He teaches by the Bible, and that is the best book; teaches by his Son,
and he is the best Master. He is just in all proceedings.
Verses 24–33
Elihu endeavours to fill Job with high thought of God, and so to persuade him into cheerful
submission to his providence. Man may see God's works, and is capable of discerning his hand in
them, which the beasts are not, therefore they ought to give him the glory. But while the worker of
iniquity ought to tremble, the true believer should rejoice. Children should hear with pleasure their
Father's voice, even when he speaks in terror to his enemies. There is no light but there may be a
cloud to intercept it. The light of the favour of God, the light of his countenance, the most blessed
light of all, even that light has many a cloud. The clouds of our sins cause the Lord to his face, and
hinder the light of his loving-kindness from shining on our souls.
Chapter 37
Chapter Outline
Elihu observes the power of God. (1–13)
Job required to explain the works of nature. (14–20)
God is great, and is to be feared. (21–24)Verses 1–13
The changes of the weather are the subject of a great deal of our thoughts and common talk;
but how seldom do we think and speak of these things, as Elihu, with a regard to God, the director
of them! We must notice the glory of God, not only in the thunder and lightning, but in the more
common and less awful changes of the weather; as the snow and rain. Nature directs all creatures
to shelter themselves from a storm; and shall man only be unprovided with a refuge? Oh that men
would listen to the voice of God, who in many ways warns them to flee from the wrath to come;
and invites them to accept his salvation, and to be happy. The ill opinion which men entertain of
the Divine direction, peculiarly appears in their murmurs about the weather, though the whole result