In Job 36, Elihu begins his final speech, urging Job to keep on listening, for he speaks as God’s mouthpiece, with authority from heaven. Elihu is not being arrogant, but claiming a prophetic role. His aim is to “ascribe righteousness to my Maker.” This has been Elihu’s aim all along, and the reason he intervened in these debates. He is intent on demonstrating the justice of God (v 1-4). The logic of Elihu’s argument is that only cosmic power can guarantee cosmic justice. So as humans, we should bow in humble submission before God’s mighty power, trusting that He will achieve cosmic justice in the end. God’s purposes cannot be thwarted in any way, for He is very powerful. He uses His power both to punish the wicked and to vindicate those who are righteous by faith. But we may have to wait for the wicked to be punished, and those who trust in Him are often “caught in the cords of affliction,” as Job is. So Elihu affirms that the righteous do suffer, but it is God’s gracious purpose to restore them. In our suffering, He is at work to expose our pride and to show us the rebellion in our hearts. In this way God summons us to repentance, opening our ears to His instruction (v 5-10). Such loving discipline leads to two possible responses: some will “listen and serve Him,” while others will “not listen” and come to a terrible end. Those who heed God’s discipline and bow before Him in humble penitence will be richly blessed. But those who become angry and resentful, refusing to pray and come to a saving knowledge of God will perish in their sin. In other words, our response to suffering reveals the true condition of our hearts (v 11-15). At this point, Elihu turns and addresses Job personally. “What has God been doing in your life, Job?” Answer: “He has graciously been leading you out of distress and danger. God is rescuing you from the very jaws of death and hell, which were beginning to devour you because of your defiant attitude toward Him.” Though Job has been severely constricted and confined by his intense sufferings, God’s purpose is to free him and abundantly bless him (v 16). The problem is that Job has been making the kinds of false judgments about God that wicked people make, and therefore he is in a place of danger. He must be careful to humbly submit to the gracious discipline of God (v 17-21). The LORD is the ultimate Instructor, powerfully working in our lives to bring us to glory. But we must listen to Him, trusting His sovereign purposes (v 22-25). Our great God is way beyond our comprehension, as shown by the mysterious ways He governs His creation—bringing both judgment or blessing (v 26-33). For further meditation: