words without knowledge. Let us be admonished, in our afflictions, not so much to set forth the
greatness of our suffering, as the greatness of the mercy of God.
Chapter 36
Chapter Outline
Elihu desires Job's attention. (1–4)
The methods in which God deals with men. (5–14)
Elihu counsels Job. (15–23)
The wonders in the works of creation. (24–33)Verses 1–4
Elihu only maintained that the affliction was sent for his trial; and lengthened because Job was
not yet thoroughly humbled under it. He sought to ascribe righteousness to his Maker; to clear this
truth, that God is righteous in all his ways. Such knowledge must be learned from the word and
Spirit of God, for naturally we are estranged from it. The fitness of Elihu's discourse to the dispute
between Job and his friends is plain. It pointed out to Job the true reason of those trials with which
he had been pointed out to Job the true reason of those trials with which he had been visited. It
taught that God had acted in mercy towards him, and the spiritual benefit he was to derive from
them. It corrected the mistake of his friends, and showed that Job's calamities were for good.
Verses 5–14
Elihu here shows that God acts as righteous Governor. He is always ready to defend those that
are injured. If our eye is ever toward God in duty, his eye will be ever upon us in mercy, and, when
we are at the lowest, will not overlook us. God intends, when he afflicts us, to discover past sins
to us, and to bring them to our remembrance. Also, to dispose our hearts to be taught: affliction
makes people willing to learn, through the grace of God working with and by it. And further, to
deter us from sinning for the future. It is a command, to have no more to do with sin. If we faithfully
serve God, we have the promise of the life that now is, and the comforts of it, as far as is for God's
glory and our good: and who would desire them any further? We have the possession of inward
pleasures, the great peace which those have that love God's law. If the affliction fail in its work,
let men expect the furnace to be heated till they are consumed. Those that die without knowledge,
die without grace, and are undone for ever. See the nature of hypocrisy; it lies in the heart: that is
for the world and the flesh, while perhaps the outside seems to be for God and religion. Whether
sinners die in youth, or live long to heap up wrath, their case is dreadful. The souls of the wicked
live after death, but it is in everlasting misery.