1 Furthermore Elihu answered, and said,
2 Heare my wordes, O yee wise men, and giue eare vnto me, ye that haue knowledge.
3 For the eare trieth words, as the mouth tasteth meate.
4 Let vs chuse to vs iudgement: let vs know among our selues what is good.
5 For Iob hath said, I am righteous: and God hath taken away my iudgement.
6 Should I lye against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.
7 What man is like Iob, who drinketh vp scorning like water?
8 Which goeth in company with the workers of iniquitie, and walketh with wicked men.
9 For hee hath said, It profiteth a man nothing, that he should delight himselfe with God.
10 Therefore hearken vnto me, ye men of vnderstanding: farre bee it from God, that he should doe wickednes, and from the Almighty, that hee should commit iniquitie.
11 For the worke of a man shall he render vnto him, and cause euery man to finde according to his wayes.
12 Yea surely God will not doe wickedly, neither will the Almighty peruert iudgement.
13 Who hath giuen him a charge ouer the earth? or who hath disposed the whole world?
14 If he set his heart vpon man, if he gather vnto himselfe his spirit and his breath;
15 All flesh shall perish together, and man shall turne againe vnto dust.
16 If now thou hast vnderstanding, heare this: hearken to the voyce of my words.
17 Shall euen he that hateth right, gouerne? and wilt thou condemne him that is most iust?
18 Is it fit to say to a King, Thou art wicked? and to Princes, Ye are vngodly?
19 How much lesse to him that accepteth not the persons of Princes, nor regardeth the rich more then the poore? for they all are the woorke of his hands.
20 In a moment shall they die, and the people shalbe troubled at midnight, and passe away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand.
21 For his eyes are vpon the wayes of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkenes, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquitie may hide themselues.
23 For hee will not lay vpon man more then right; that he should enter into iudgement with God.
24 He shall breake in pieces mighty men without number, and set others in their stead.
25 Therefore hee knoweth their workes, and he ouerturneth them in the night, so that they are destroyed.
26 He striketh them as wicked men, in the open sight of others:
27 Because they turned backe from him, and would not consider any of his wayes.
28 So that they cause the cry of the poore to come vnto him, and he heareth the cry of the afflicted.
29 When he giueth quietnesse, who then can make trouble? and when hee hideth his face, who then can beholde him? whether it be done against a nation, or against a man onely:
30 That the hypocrite raigne not, lest the people be ensnared.
31 Surely it is meete to be said vnto God, I haue borne chastisement, I will not offend any more.
32 That which I see not, teach thou me; If I haue done iniquitie, I will doe no more.
33 Should it bee according to thy minde? he will recompense it, whether thou refuse, or whether thou chuse, and not I: therefore speake what thou knowest.
34 Let men of vnderstanding tell mee, and let a wise man hearken vnto mee.
35 Iob hath spoken without knowledge, and his words were without wisdome.
36 My desire is that Iob may bee tried vnto the ende, because of his answeres for wicked men.
37 For he addeth rebellion vnto his sinne, hee clappeth his handes amongst vs, and multiplieth his words against God.
Elihu accuses Job of charging God with injustice. (1-9) God cannot be unjust. (10-15) God's power and providence. (16-30) Elihu reproves Job. (31-37)1-9 Elihu calls upon those present to decide with him upon Job's words. The plainest Christian, whose mind is enlightened, whose heart is sanctified by the Spirit of God, and who is versed in the Scriptures, can say how far matters, words, or actions, agree with true religion, better than any that lean to their own understandings. Job had spoken as if he meant wholly to justify himself. He that say, I have cleansed my hands in vain, does not only offend against God's children, #Ps 73:13-15|, but gratifies his enemies, and says as they say.
10-15 Elihu had showed Job, that God meant him no hurt by afflicting him, but intended his spiritual benefit. Here he shows, that God did him no wrong by afflicting him. If the former did not satisfy him, this ought to silence him. God cannot do wickedness, nor the Almighty commit wrong. If services now go unrewarded, and sins now go unpunished, yet there is a day coming, when God will fully render to every man according to his works. Further, though the believer's final condemnation is done away through the Saviour's ransom, yet he has merited worse than any outward afflictions; so that no wrong is done to him, however he may be tried.
16-30 Elihu appeals directly to Job himself. Could he suppose that God was like those earthly princes, who hate right, who are unfit to rule, and prove the scourges of mankind? It is daring presumption to condemn God's proceedings, as Job had done by his discontents. Elihu suggests divers considerations to Job, to produce in him high thoughts of God, and so to persuade him to submit. Job had often wished to plead his cause before God. Elihu asks, To what purpose? All is well that God does, and will be found so. What can make those uneasy, whose souls dwell at ease in God? The smiles of all the world cannot quiet those on whom God frowns.
31-37 When we reprove for what is amiss, we must direct to what is good. Job's friends would have had him own himself a wicked man. Let will only oblige him to own that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips. Let us, in giving reproof, not make a matter worse than it is. Elihu directs Job to humble himself before God for his sins, and to accept the punishment. Also to pray to God to discover his sins to him. A good man is willing to know the worst of himself; particularly, under affliction, he desires to be told wherefore God contends with him. It is not enough to be sorry for our sins, but we must go and sin no more. And if we are affectionate children, we shall love to speak with our Father, and to tell him all our mind. Elihu reasons with Job concerning his discontent under affliction. We are ready to think every thing that concerns us should be just as we would have it; but it is not reasonable to expect this. Elihu asks whether there was not sin and folly in what Job said. God is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, #Ps 145:17|. The believer saith, Let my Saviour, my wise and loving Lord, choose every thing for me. I am sure that will be wisest, and the best for his glory and my good.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.