1 “However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words. 2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth. 3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely. 4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life. 5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand up. 6 Behold, I am towards God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay. 7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you. 8 “Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying, 9 ‘I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me. 10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy. 11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.’ 12 “Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man. 13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn’t give account of any of his matters? 14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed; 16 then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction, 17 that he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man. 18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. 19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones; 20 so that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food. 21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can’t be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out. 22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers. 23 “If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one amongst a thousand, to show to man what is right for him; 24 then God is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’ 25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child’s. He returns to the days of his youth. 26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness. 27 He sings before men, and says, ‘I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn’t profit me. 28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.’ 29 “Behold, God does all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man, 30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living. 31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak. 32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you. 33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom.”
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary, 1706
Verses 1–7
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convince men, it must be by reason, not by terror; by fair argument, not by a heavy hand.
Verses 8–13
Elihu charges Job with reflecting upon the justice and goodness of God. When we hear any thing said to God’s dishonour, we ought to bear our testimony against it. Job had represented God as severe in marking what he did amiss. Elihu urges that he had spoken wrong, and that he ought to humble himself before God, and by repentance to unsay it. God is not accountable to us. It is unreasonable for weak, sinful creatures, to strive with a God of infinite wisdom, power, and goodness. He acts with perfect justice, wisdom, and goodness, where we cannot perceive it.
Verses 14–18
God speaks to us by conscience, by providences, and by ministers; of all these Elihu discourses. There was not then, that we know of, any Divine revelation in writing, though now it is our principal guide. When God designs men’s good, by the convictions and dictates of their own consciences, he opens the heart, as Lydia’s, and opens the ears, so that conviction finds or forces its way in. The end and design of these admonitions are to keep men from sin, particularly the sin of pride. While sinners are pursuing evil purposes, and indulging their pride, their souls are hastening to destruction. That which turns men from sin, saves them from hell. What a mercy it is to be under the restraints of an awakened conscience!
Verses 19–28
Job complained of his diseases, and judged by them that God was angry with him; his friends did so too: but Elihu shows that God often afflicts the body for good to the soul. This thought will be of great use for our getting good from sickness, in and by which God speaks to men. Pain is the fruit of sin; yet, by the grace of God, the pain of the body is often made a means of good to the soul. When afflictions have done their work, they shall be removed. A ransom or propitiation is found. Jesus Christ is the Messenger and the Ransom, so Elihu calls him, as Job had called him his Redeemer, for he is both the Purchaser and the Price, the Priest and the sacrifice. So high was the value of souls, that nothing less would redeem them; and so great the hurt done by sin, that nothing less would atone for it, than the blood of the Son of God, who gave his life a ransom for many. A blessed change follows. Recovery from sickness is a mercy indeed, when it proceeds from the remission of sin. All that truly repent of their sins, shall find mercy with God. The works of darkness are unfruitful works; all the gains of sin will come far short of the damage. We must, with a broken and contrite heart, confess our sins to God, 1Jo 1:9. We must confess the fact of sin; and not try to justify or excuse ourselves. We must confess the fault of sin; I have perverted that which was right. We must confess the folly of sin; So foolish have I been and ignorant. Is there not good reason why we should make such a confession?
Verses 29–33
Elihu shows that God’s great and gracious design toward the children of men, is, to save them from being for ever miserable, and to bring them to be for ever happy. By whatever means we are kept back from the we shall bless the Lord for them at least, and should bless him for them though they be painful and distressing. Those that perish for ever are without excuse, for they would not be healed.