God Is Great, Wise, and Beyond Our Control

Job 36:1 Elihu said further: 36:2 “Be patient with me a little longer and I will instruct you, for I still have words to speak on God’s behalf. 36:3 With my knowledge I will speak comprehensively, and to my Creator I will ascribe righteousness. 36:4 For in truth, my words are not false; it is one complete in knowledge who is with you. 36:5 Indeed, God is mighty; and he does not despise people, he is mighty, and firm in his intent. 36:6 He does not allow the wicked to live, but he gives justice to the poor. 36:7 He does not take his eyes off the righteous; but with kings on the throne he seats the righteous and exalts them forever. 36:8 But if they are bound in chains, and held captive by the cords of affliction, 36:9 then he reveals to them what they have done, and their transgressions, that they were behaving proudly. 36:10 And he reveals this for correction, and says that they must turn from evil. 36:11 If they obey and serve him, they live out their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness. 36:12 But if they refuse to listen, they pass over the river of death, and expire without knowledge. 36:13 The godless at heart nourish anger, they do not cry out even when he binds them. 36:14 They die in their youth, and their life ends among the male cultic prostitutes. 36:15 He delivers the afflicted by their afflictions, he reveals himself to them by their suffering. 36:16 And surely, he drew you from the mouth of distress, to a wide place, unrestricted, and to the comfort of your table filled with rich food. 36:17 But now you are preoccupied with the judgment due the wicked, judgment and justice take hold of you. 36:18 Be careful that no one entices you with riches; do not let a large bribe turn you aside. 36:19 Would your wealth sustain you, so that you would not be in distress, even all your mighty efforts? 36:20 Do not long for the cover of night to drag people away from their homes. 36:21 Take heed, do not turn to evil, for because of this you have been tested by affliction. 36:22 Indeed, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? 36:23 Who has prescribed his ways for him? Or said to him, ‘You have done what is wicked’? 36:24 Remember to extol his work, which people have praised in song. 36:25 All humanity has seen it; people gaze on it from afar. 36:26 “Yes, God is great – beyond our knowledge! The number of his years is unsearchable. 36:27 He draws up drops of water; they distill the rain into its mist, 36:28 which the clouds pour down and shower on humankind abundantly. 36:29 Who can understand the spreading of the clouds, the thunderings of his pavilion? 36:30 See how he scattered his lightning about him; he has covered the depths of the sea. 36:31 It is by these that he judges the nations and supplies food in abundance. 36:32 With his hands he covers the lightning, and directs it against its target. 36:33 His thunder announces the coming storm, the cattle also, concerning the storm’s approach. 37:1 At this also my heart pounds and leaps from its place. 37:2 Listen carefully to the thunder of his voice, to the rumbling that proceeds from his mouth. 37:3 Under the whole heaven he lets it go, even his lightning to the far corners of the earth. 37:4 After that a voice roars; he thunders with an exalted voice, and he does not hold back his lightning bolts when his voice is heard. 37:5 God thunders with his voice in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. 37:6 For to the snow he says, ‘Fall to earth,’ and to the torrential rains, ‘Pour down.’ 37:7 He causes everyone to stop working, so that all people may know his work. 37:8 The wild animals go to their lairs, and in their dens they remain. 37:9 A tempest blows out from its chamber, icy cold from the driving winds. 37:10 The breath of God produces ice, and the breadth of the waters freeze solid. 37:11 He loads the clouds with moisture; he scatters his lightning through the clouds. 37:12 The clouds go round in circles, wheeling about according to his plans, to carry out all that he commands them over the face of the whole inhabited world. 37:13 Whether it is for punishment for his land, or whether it is for mercy, he causes it to find its mark. 37:14 “Pay attention to this, Job! Stand still and consider the wonders God works. 37:15 Do you know how God commands them, how he makes lightning flash in his storm cloud? 37:16 Do you know about the balancing of the clouds, that wondrous activity of him who is perfect in knowledge? 37:17 You, whose garments are hot when the earth is still because of the south wind, 37:18 will you, with him, spread out the clouds, solid as a mirror of molten metal? 37:19 Tell us what we should say to him. We cannot prepare a case because of the darkness. 37:20 Should he be informed that I want to speak? If a man speaks, surely he would be swallowed up! 37:21 But now, the sun cannot be looked at – it is bright in the skies – after a wind passed and swept the clouds away. 37:22 From the north he comes in golden splendor; around God is awesome majesty. 37:23 As for the Almighty, we cannot attain to him! He is great in power, but justice and abundant righteousness he does not oppress. 37:24 Therefore people fear him, for he does not regard all the wise in heart.” VI. The Divine Speeches (38:1-42:6) The Lord’s First Speech

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Elihu says that God is righteous, powerful, and wise. He may use suffering to correct people, rules over creation, and cannot be judged by human standards. Job should therefore listen humbly instead of trying to argue against God.

Elihu continues his speech by asking Job to listen a little longer. He says he is speaking truthfully about God and wants to defend God’s righteousness.

Elihu describes God as mighty, fair, and wise. God does not ignore people. He judges the wicked, helps the poor, and cares for the righteous. Elihu also says that suffering can be used by God to warn people, expose pride, and call them to turn from evil. If they respond well, they may live; if they refuse, they face ruin. But Job itself warns readers not to treat this as a simple rule that explains every case of suffering.

Elihu then warns Job not to be drawn off by wealth, bribes, anger, or a desire for revenge. He says God is far greater than any human teacher. No one has the right to tell God that he has done wrong.

The rest of the passage praises God’s power in creation. Rain, clouds, thunder, lightning, snow, ice, and storms all obey his command. God uses them for his purposes, whether for judgment or mercy. Human beings cannot command the storm, explain everything God does, or bring a case against him.

Elihu ends by telling Job to stand still and consider God’s wonders. God is too great to be fully grasped, yet he is never unjust. That is why people should fear him with reverence and humility.

• God is righteous, powerful, and wise.
• God does not answer to human courts or human standards.
• God rules over weather, creation, and nations.
• Suffering can function as correction and discipline, but not as a simple universal formula.
• Pride and stubborn refusal to listen can bring ruin.
• Human beings are limited and cannot fully explain God’s ways.
• The proper response to God’s greatness is humble fear and submission.

• Be patient and listen carefully.
• Do not turn to evil.
• Do not let riches or bribes turn you aside.
• Do not long for revenge or the cover of night to harm others.
• Remember to praise God’s work.
• Stand still and consider the wonders God works.
• Fear God, because he is great and just.
• Warning: do not turn suffering into a rigid one-to-one explanation for specific sin.
• Warning: do not try to put God on trial or speak as though you can instruct him.

This passage belongs to the wisdom section of Scripture, where God teaches his people about his character, providence, and human limits. It prepares the way for the LORD’s speeches in Job 38, where God himself speaks from the whirlwind. More broadly, it shows that the Creator rules his world with wisdom and justice, even when his ways are hidden from us. It should be read as a testimony to God’s sovereignty and moral governance, not as a direct messianic prophecy.

When suffering comes, do not rush to assume you know all of God’s reasons. Ask whether God may be correcting, humbling, or teaching you, but remember that you cannot always know his exact purpose. Refuse bitterness, pride, and self-defense that puts God on trial. Instead, look at creation, remember how great God is, and respond with reverence, repentance where needed, and trust.

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