Read & explore together
Elihu Describes God’s Power
In Job 36:1–33, Elihu continues his speech about God’s character and power. He says God is mighty, just, and wise, and he uses both affliction and the workings of the weather to make his point.
Understanding the passage
Listening in context
This passage belongs to Elihu’s ongoing speech in a wisdom dialogue. He says he speaks on God’s behalf and ascribes righteousness to his Maker. The passage moves from God’s justice and instruction, to warnings addressed as “you”, and then to God’s greatness seen in rain, clouds, thunder, and lightning.
Job 36:1–33Main takeaway
This passage presents God as righteous, powerful, and beyond human mastery, while urging listeners to heed his instruction and honour his works.
Look closely at the words
Open a card to explore the full explanation and its Bible references.
01Elihu speaks about God’s righteousnessElihu asks to be heard a little longer because he still has more to say on God’s behalf. He wants to ascribe righteousness to his Maker.
Explanation
Elihu asks to be heard a little longer because he still has more to say on God’s behalf. He wants to ascribe righteousness to his Maker. He says God is mighty and does not despise anyone, and that he gives justice to the afflicted rather than preserving the wicked.
02God uses affliction as instructionElihu says that when people are bound in affliction, God may show them their deeds and pride.
Explanation
Elihu says that when people are bound in affliction, God may show them their deeds and pride. He opens their ears to instruction and commands them to turn from iniquity. Elihu then contrasts listening and serving him with refusing to listen and dying without knowledge.
03The warning turns to “you”Elihu says God delivers the afflicted by affliction and opens their ear in oppression. He adds that “he would have allured you out of distress” into a wide place, but then says, “you are full of the judgment of the wicked”.
Explanation
Elihu says God delivers the afflicted by affliction and opens their ear in oppression. He adds that “he would have allured you out of distress” into a wide place, but then says, “you are full of the judgment of the wicked”. He warns against riches, bribes, false confidence, and choosing iniquity.
04God’s greatness appears in creationElihu says God is exalted in power and unmatched as a teacher. People should magnify his work, yet God remains greater than human knowledge.
Explanation
Elihu says God is exalted in power and unmatched as a teacher. People should magnify his work, yet God remains greater than human knowledge. Elihu then points to rain, clouds, thunder, light, and lightning. These works affect people, giving food in abundance and showing God’s power through the storm.
Questions to explore
Pause, look back at the verses and talk together.
01What does Elihu say God does for people in affliction?
02What changes when Elihu turns to “you” in the middle of the passage?
Read the Bible passage
World English Bible ClassicScripture quotation · Public domain
Job 36:1–33
1Elihu also continued, and said,
2“Bear with me a little, and I will show you; for I still have something to say on God’s behalf.
3I will get my knowledge from afar, and will ascribe righteousness to my Maker.
4For truly my words are not false. One who is perfect in knowledge is with you.
5“Behold, God is mighty, and doesn’t despise anyone. He is mighty in strength of understanding.
6He doesn’t preserve the life of the wicked, but gives justice to the afflicted.
7He doesn’t withdraw his eyes from the righteous, but with kings on the throne, he sets them forever, and they are exalted.
8If they are bound in fetters, and are taken in the cords of afflictions,
9then he shows them their work, and their transgressions, that they have behaved themselves proudly.
10He also opens their ears to instruction, and commands that they return from iniquity.
11If they listen and serve him, they will spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures.
12But if they don’t listen, they will perish by the sword; they will die without knowledge.
13“But those who are godless in heart lay up anger. They don’t cry for help when he binds them.
14They die in youth. Their life perishes among the unclean.
15He delivers the afflicted by their affliction, and opens their ear in oppression.
16Yes, he would have allured you out of distress, into a wide place, where there is no restriction. That which is set on your table would be full of fatness.
17“But you are full of the judgment of the wicked. Judgment and justice take hold of you.
18Don’t let riches entice you to wrath, neither let the great size of a bribe turn you aside.
19Would your wealth sustain you in distress, or all the might of your strength?
20Don’t desire the night, when people are cut off in their place.
21Take heed, don’t regard iniquity; for you have chosen this rather than affliction.
22Behold, God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him?
23Who has prescribed his way for him? Or who can say, ‘You have committed unrighteousness’?
24“Remember that you magnify his work, about which men have sung.
25All men have looked on it. Man sees it afar off.
26Behold, God is great, and we don’t know him. The number of his years is unsearchable.
27For he draws up the drops of water, which distill in rain from his vapor,
28which the skies pour down and which drop on man abundantly.
29Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of the clouds and the thunderings of his pavilion?
30Behold, he spreads his light around him. He covers the bottom of the sea.
31For by these he judges the people. He gives food in abundance.
32He covers his hands with the lightning, and commands it to strike the mark.
33Its noise tells about him, and the livestock also, concerning the storm that comes up.