Job Chapters 35 -37
Special thanks are given to Jesus Christ, my Lord and Savior, for the gift of writing and the privilege of sharing this Bible Study. His guidance and blessings have made this work possible, and it is with a grateful heart that this study is presented for 2026. This Bible study is written with inspiration and wisdom from the Holy Spirit, Scripture from the Holy Bible (NIV), analytical support and help in organizing and presentation from Grok AI and writing assistance with drafting and editing from Microsoft Co-Pilot.
Let us Pray
Gracious and Sovereign God, we come with open hearts to study Your Word. Grant us the humility to listen as Elihu was urged to listen, the wisdom to see that suffering may teach rather than only punish, and the courage to trust Your justice when answers are beyond our understanding. Help us set aside pride and quick judgments, that our questions may lead us closer to You. Fill our time together with reverence, clarity, and compassion, and prepare our hearts to hear Your voice above all human debate. In Your mercy, guide our thoughts and our words. Amen.
Job 32–34 Summary
Job 32 introduces a new speaker, Elihu, who is described as younger than Job’s three friends and who has remained silent until now; he becomes angry both with Job and with the friends for their handling of the debate. Elihu claims the older friends failed to answer Job adequately and says he will offer a fresh perspective on suffering and divine justice. Across chapters 33–34 Elihu argues that God is sovereign and just, and that human righteousness does not obligate God to explain Himself; he emphasizes that God may use suffering as correction or instruction rather than simple punishment. Elihu urges Job to accept correction and to recognize human limitations before God’s wisdom. Elihu also points to God’s power displayed in creation and in the ways God governs the world, using natural imagery to call for humility and reverence; his speeches prepare the reader for the coming divine response by shifting the focus from human debate to God’s transcendence and authority.
Key Themes to Note
Elihu’s anger and boldness: a younger voice challenging both Job and the older friends.
Divine discipline as instruction: suffering can be corrective, not merely punitive.
Human limitation vs. divine wisdom: a call to humility before God’s inscrutable purposes.
Preparation for theophany: these chapters set the stage for God’s direct speech that follows.
Elihu Speak
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Elihu Speak 〰️
Job 35
Elihu Condemns Self-Righteousness
1 Moreover Elihu answered and said: 2 “Do you think this is right? Do you say, ‘My righteousness is more than God’s’? 3 For you say,
‘What advantage will it be to You? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?’ 4 “I will answer you, And your companions with you. 5 Look to the heavens and see; And behold the clouds— They are higher than you. 6 If you sin, what do you accomplish against Him? Or, if your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to Him? 7 If you are righteous, what do you give Him?
Or what does He receive from your hand? 8 Your wickedness affects a man such as you, And your righteousness a son of man. 16 Therefore Job opens his mouth in vain; He multiplies words without knowledge.”
Job 36
Elihu Proclaims God’s Goodness
1 Elihu also proceeded and said: 2 “Bear with me a little, and I will show you That there are yet words to speak on God’s behalf.
3 I will fetch my knowledge from afar; I will ascribe righteousness to my Maker. 4 For truly my words are not false; One who is perfect in knowledge is with you. 5 “Behold, God is mighty, but despises no one; He is mighty in strength of understanding. 6 He does not preserve the life of the wicked, But gives justice to the oppressed. 7 He does not withdraw His eyes from the righteous;
But they are on the throne with kings, For He has seated them forever, And they are exalted. 13 “But the hypocrites in heart store up wrath; They do not cry for help when He binds them. 14 They die in youth, And their life ends among the perverted persons.
15 He delivers the poor in their affliction, And opens their ears in oppression.16 “Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, Into a broad place where there is no restraint; And that which is set on your table would be full of richness. 17 But you are filled with the judgment due the wicked; Judgment and justice take hold of you. 18 Because there is wrath, beware lest He take you away with one blow; For a large ransom would not help you avoid it. 19 Will your riches, Or all the mighty forces, Keep you from distress? 20 Do not desire the night, When people are cut off in their place. 21 Take heed, do not turn to iniquity, For you have chosen this rather than affliction.22 “Behold, God is exalted by His power; Who teaches like Him? 23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?
Elihu Proclaims God’s Majesty
24 “Remember to magnify His work, Of which men have sung. 25 Everyone has seen it; Man looks on it from afar.26 “Behold, God is great, and we do not know Him; Nor can the number of His years be discovered. 27 For He draws up drops of water, Which distill as rain from the mist, 28 Which the clouds drop down And pour abundantly on man. 29 Indeed, can anyone understand the spreading of clouds, The thunder from His canopy? 30 Look, He scatters His light upon it, And covers the depths of the sea. 31 For by these He judges the peoples; He gives food in abundance. 32 He covers His hands with lightning, And commands it to strike. 33 His thunder declares it, The cattle also, concerning the rising storm.
Job 37
1 “At this also my heart trembles, And leaps from its place. 2 Hear attentively the thunder of His voice, And the rumbling that comes from His mouth. 3 He sends it forth under the whole heaven, His lightning to the ends of the earth. 4 After it a voice roars; He thunders with His majestic voice, And He does not restrain them when His voice is heard. 5 God thunders marvelously with His voice; He does great things which we cannot comprehend. 6 For He says to the snow, ‘Fall on the earth’; Likewise to the gentle rain and the heavy rain of His strength. 7 He seals the hand of every man, That all men may know His work. 8 The beasts go into dens,
And remain in their lairs. 9 From the chamber of the south comes the whirlwind, And cold from the scattering winds of the north.
10 By the breath of God ice is given, And the broad waters are frozen. 11 Also with moisture He saturates the thick clouds; He scatters His bright clouds. 12 And they swirl about, being turned by His guidance, That they may do whatever He commands them
On the face of the whole earth. 13 He causes it to come, Whether for correction, Or for His land, Or for mercy.14 “Listen to this, O Job; Stand still and consider the wondrous works of God. 15 Do you know when God dispatches them, And causes the light of His cloud to shine? 16 Do you know how the clouds are balanced, Those wondrous works of Him who is perfect in knowledge?
17 Why are your garments hot, When He quiets the earth by the south wind? 18 With Him, have you spread out the skies,
Strong as a cast metal mirror?19 “Teach us what we should say to Him, For we can prepare nothing because of the darkness.
20 Should He be told that I wish to speak? If a man were to speak, surely he would be swallowed up. 21 Even now men cannot look at the light when it is bright in the skies, When the wind has passed and cleared them. 22 He comes from the north as golden splendor; With God is awesome majesty. 23 As for the Almighty, we cannot find Him; He is excellent in power, In judgment and abundant justice; He does not oppress. 24 Therefore men fear Him; He shows no partiality to any who are wise of heart.”
Summary —
Elihu answers Job, arguing that human complaints do not affect God’s justice. He insists that God is not unjust to overlook anyone, and that people’s sin and pride, not God’s indifference, explain suffering. Elihu challenges Job’s claim of righteousness and warns that God’s discipline aims to correct and restore rather than to ignore human behavior. Elihu continues, praising God’s greatness and justice. He urges Job to listen and accept instruction, describing God’s power in sustaining the world and His use of suffering as a corrective, instructive tool. Elihu emphasizes God’s mercy toward the humble and the eventual vindication of the righteous, while warning the proud of coming judgment. Elihu marvels at God’s awesome works displayed in nature — thunder, lightning, snow, and storms — as evidence of God’s inscrutable wisdom and power. He calls Job to stand in awe, recognizing that God’s ways are beyond human understanding and that reverent fear and silence are fitting responses before the Almighty.
Questions
What is Elihu’s main accusation against Job in chapter 35?
How does Elihu describe God’s relationship to human righteousness and sin?
What role does human perspective play in Elihu’s argument in chapter 36?
How does Elihu use nature and God’s power to make his point in chapter 37?
What tone and posture does Elihu recommend Job adopt toward God?
What narrative shift occurs at the end of chapter 37 and why is it significant?
Application Question
How can Elihu’s emphasis on God’s transcendence, corrective discipline, and the example of nature’s power shape the way you respond to unanswered suffering or personal correction this week?
