Exposition of Job, Exposition of Job · Chapter 36
CHAP. XXXVI.
In this and the following Chapter, we have Elihu's fourth and last Speech: Wherein, having, in the former Speeches, reprehended ſome of Jobs raſh expreſſions, he doth now proceed to ſpeak to the whole matter and cauſe in general, clearing God of what Job ſeemed to lay to his charge, and ſhewing that Job had no cauſe to complain of him as he did. In the Speech (beſide a Preface, v. 1 — 4. and a Concluſion, wherein he recapitulates the whole Diſcourſe, Chap. 37.23, 24.) there is contained, 1. A Vindication of the Righteouſneſs of God in his dealing with men, wherein is ſhewed, that albeit he be great, yet he doth wrong to none, Chap. 36.5 — 21. 2. A Commendation of the Greatneſs and Soveraignty of God, which ought not to be quarrelled, from Chap. 36.22. to Chap. 37.23. And this is ſubjoyned to the former, to ſhew, that, albeit men ſhould not be able to diſcern the righteouſneſs of this great God, Yet, he ought not to be quarrelled. This diviſion of this purpoſe may be gathered from Chap. 37.23. where theſe two are recapitulated, as the ſumm of what he hath ſpoken.
So, in this Chapter, we have, Firſt, A Preface, wherein (after the Tranſition, v. 1.) he craves attention, for ſeveral Reaſons, which give an account of his ſcope in the following Diſcourſe, v. 1 — 4. Secondly, A Vindication of the Righteouſneſs of God in his dealing with men, which is generally propounded, v. 5. Then, it is more generally confirmed and cleared, from the way of his proceeding both with the wicked and righteous, v. 6, 7. And more particularly vindicated and cleared, in his afflicting even of godly men, v. 8 — 15. And having ſpoken all this in general, he makes Application of this Doctrine, to Jobs preſent caſe, v. 16 — 21. Thirdly, A Commendation of the Greatneſs of God, which is confirmed, from the ſingular monuments of his Power and Wiſdome, v. 22. from his abſolute and Soveraign Dominion, v. 23. and from his admirable Greatneſs, which ſhines, and ought to be obſerved, in his most obvious works. Which Argument he propounds, v. 24, 25. and (after a repeated Propoſition, v. 26.) inſtanceth it, v. 27 — 33. and in the most part of the following Chapter.