15 But by means of their suffering, he rescues those who suffer. For he gets their attention through adversity. 16 "God is leading you away from danger, Job, to a place free from distress. He is setting your table with the best food. 17 But you are obsessed with whether the godless will be judged. Don't worry, judgment and justice will be upheld. 18 But watch out, or you may be seduced by wealth. Don't let yourself be bribed into sin. 19 Could all your wealth or all your mighty efforts keep you from distress? 20 Do not long for the cover of night, for that is when people will be destroyed. 21 Be on guard! Turn back from evil, for God sent this suffering to keep you from a life of evil. 22 "Look, God is all-powerful. Who is a teacher like him? 23 No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, 'You have done wrong.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 36:15-23
Commentary on Job 36:15-23
(Read Job 36:15-23)
Elihu shows that Job caused the continuance of his own trouble. He cautions him not to persist in frowardness. Even good men need to be kept to their duty by the fear of God's wrath; the wisest and best have enough in them to deserve his stroke. Let not Job continue his unjust quarrel with God and his providence. And let us never dare to think favourably of sin, never indulge it, nor allow ourselves in it. Elihu thinks Job needed this caution, he having chosen rather to gratify his pride and humour by contending with God, than to mortify them by submitting, and accepting the punishment. It is absurd for us to think to teach Him who is himself the Fountain of light, truth, knowledge, and instruction. He teaches by the Bible, and that is the best book; teaches by his Son, and he is the best Master. He is just in all proceedings.