Explanation: In Job 36 Elihu continued his criticism of Job for saying incorrect things about God. His statement at the end of the chapter speaks of God's power as revealed in the storm and the reaction which animals have to it. These factors are represented by the painting above. The horses in the painting have the same anxious reaction which the cattle mentioned in the text below have.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Job 32. Job 33. Job 34. Job 35. Job 37. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

     As Elihu continued his discourse, he said that he would fetch his knowledge from afar and would ascribe righteousness to his Maker. He said that his words would not be false because "he that is perfect in knowledge is with you." If Elihu referred to God, he meant "absolute perfection of knowledge;" if he referred to himself (as seems more likely), he meant "sound in knowledge." The Hebrew word (see the link below) has both senses (1-4). He noted that God is mighty in strength and wisdom and does not despise anyone. He does not preserve the wicked; but he gives what is right to the poor. He keeps constant watch over the righteous, sets them with kings, and establishes them forever in a place of exaltation. If they obey him they prosper; if they do not obey they perish (5-12). Hypocrites heap up wrath. They die young among the unclean. But God delivers the poor. God would treat Job in this manner if he had repented (13-16). Instead, Job (in the opinion of Elihu), had taken part with the wicked, so judgment and justice had taken hold of him (17). Unknown to Elihu, who claimed superior knowledge, this opinion contradicted the verdict of God himself (Job 1:1, 8, 22 and Job 2:3, 9-10). But, in his ignorance, Elihu continued to accuse Job falsely. He warned Job to beware lest God take him away in his wrath with a single stroke (18). He told Job that God would not esteem his riches or his strength (19). And he warned Job not to desire the night because it is a time when many are cut off (20). He told Job not to regard not iniquity (21). And he reminded him that God exalts men by his power and he is an incomparable teacher (22). Then, to deepen Job's respect for God, Elihu spoke of the greatness of God. He noted that no one can tell God which way to go; nor can any tell him that he has committed iniquity (23). He told Job to remember to magnify God's work so that everyone can see it (24-25). He reminded Job that God is unsearchable in greatness; and his years (and therefore his experience) are beyond searching out (26). God controls the rain, the vapor, and the clouds; and he spreads light in his tabernacle (heaven) and covers the bottom of the sea with water (27-30). He uses these things to judge the people or to bless them with food (31). He blocks the light with clouds (32). The thunder declares his presence; and the cattle acknowledge his ascent (typically, with an anxious or agitated reaction, as is common among animals in a thunderstorm).

     ¹⁷ But thou hast fulfilled the judgment of the wicked: judgment and justice take hold on thee. ¹⁸ Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee. ¹⁹ Will he esteem thy riches? no, not gold, nor all the forces of strength. ²⁰ Desire not the night, when people are cut off in their place. ²¹ Take heed, regard not iniquity: for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction. ²² Behold, God exalteth by his power: who teacheth like him? ²³ Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity? ²⁴ Remember that thou magnify his work, which men behold. ²⁵ Every man may see it; man may behold it afar off. ²⁶ Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. ²⁷ For he maketh small the drops of water: they pour down rain according to the vapour thereof: ²⁸ Which the clouds do drop and distil upon man abundantly. ²⁹ Also can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, or the noise of his tabernacle? ³⁰ Behold, he spreadeth his light upon it, and covereth the bottom of the sea. ³¹ For by them judgeth he the people; he giveth meat in abundance. ³² With clouds he covereth the light; and commandeth it not to shine by the cloud that cometh betwixt. ³³ The noise thereof sheweth concerning it, the cattle also concerning the vapour.

---

Home | DAWN Archive

Tomorrow's Picture: TBA

     ADDITIONAL AD LIB MATERIAL: Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image and explanation daily.

Please Email Comments and Questions To

AD LIB ARTS EMAIL
copyright 2014, Scott Souza