Job 34:36
My desire is that Iob may bee tried vnto the ende, because of his answeres for wicked men. Job 34:36 (KJV)
My desire
is that Job may be tried unto the end because of
his answers for wicked men. Job 34:36 (KJV)
“The LORD is my strength, and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped.”
Elihu, one of Job’s friends, speaks in the latter part of the dialogue after remaining silent until Chapter 32. In his address he emphasizes that God’s testing of the righteous has purpose, and he suggests that Job’s ongoing suffering may serve to refine him. Elihu’s words reveal his desire for Job to be tested further because of the answers he had given, and he believes Job’s answers had been flawed, particularly in how he seemed to accuse God of being unjust. Elihu’s words also reveal his concern for the influence Job’s answers might have on wicked men, and he wishes that Job’s case be thoroughly examined so that others would not be misled.
Elihu’s statements, such as those found in Job 34, stress that God does not reject the upright and that divine testing is part of a larger plan. He rebukes Job for speaking rashly against God’s justice, noting that Job’s accusations risk misrepresenting God’s character. Elihu suggests that suffering can have a purpose beyond simple retribution, pointing out that God sometimes allows trials to purify and strengthen the faithful. He sees Job’s suffering as an opportunity for growth and spiritual refinement, both for Job himself and for those who would learn from his example.
It is important to note that while Elihu provides a distinct perspective, the ultimate resolution of Job’s suffering and questions comes from God Himself. In the later chapters God speaks, revealing His sovereignty, wisdom, and the limits of human understanding. Through this divine encounter Job is humbled and gains a deeper appreciation of God’s ways. In summary, Elihu highlights that suffering can serve as a means of refinement and that God’s testing of the righteous is purposeful, yet the final answers to Job’s questions are delivered by God, who brings resolution to the narrative.
