Job 36

“Hark, the Herald angels sing!” It’s the very last day of February in a Leap year. The Christmas season is long past. Carolers, churchgoers, and choirs have been harking and heralding all winter. But now, the bright excitement is quiet, and we have landed squarely at the end of the coldest month. March is revving up to come in “like a lion.” Winter is fading. It’s still cold and windy out; snow and ice are common decorations on the trees and roads, but the air has some life in it. Almost like Spring really will come again this year like it always does. Before we jump into brave daffodil season, let me just bring you back to the cozy warmth and blazing light of the heralding angels for a moment:

They came as messengers for the King. “He really is coming! Get ready! Go see Him!” They heralded His glory and majesty and then described how the astonished shepherds would find Him – in a feeding trough, wrapped in swaddling cloths, just born, with the vernix freshly washed from his very human skin. The angels announced the King in glory…then the shepherds found Him in humility (See Luke 2 for a summary).

Elihu can also be seen as a herald. He’s been preaching the glory, majesty, and power of God to Job and his three friends. Chapter thirty-six and thirty-seven are his final words, his final announcements: Elihu has more to say on God’s behalf. The following are his comments about God in list form.

• He is our Maker (v. 3).
• He is righteous (v. 3).
• “God is mighty” (v. 5).
• He does not despise us (v. 5).
• He has full-strength understanding, complete wisdom (v. 5).
• He judges the wicked (v. 6).
• He cares for the afflicted (v. 6).
• His eyes are always on the righteous (v. 7).
• He sets up kings for the seasons and times He desires (v. 7).
• He judges wicked rulers and tells them their fault/wrong (v. 8-9).
• He gives ears to hear His instructions and correction (v. 10).
• He blesses the obedient (v. 11).
• He condemns the wicked and rebellious (v. 12-14).
• He delivers the afflicted in their affliction (v. 15).
• He teaches the afflicted with the adversity they face (v. 15).
• He blesses his people and provides home and food for them (v. 16).

Then Elihu gives some counsel, insight for the afflicted, encouragement to not turn to iniquity in the midst of affliction, but to allow it to teach, allow it to instruct. He says of God:

“Behold, God is exalted in his power; who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, ‘You have done wrong’?”

Job 36:22, 23

Next, Elihu exalts God as the Creator of all things; His power evident in all He has made. He heralds God’s might and wisdom in making the earth, the weather, the depths of the sea. He reminds Job and his friends that God is the One that sends rain, clouds, lightning…

“Behold God is great, and we know him not; the number of his years is unsearchable. For he draws up the drops of water; they distill his mist in rain, which the skies pour down on mankind abundantly…He covers his hands with the lightning and commands it to strike the mark. It’s crashing declares his presence…”

Job 36:26-33

“I love you, O LORD, my strength. The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies…he sent out his arrows and scattered them. Then the channels of the sea were seen, and the foundations of the world were laid bare at your rebuke, O LORD, at the blast of the breath of your nostrils. He sent from on high, he took me; he drew me out of many waters. He rescued me from my strong enemy and from those who hated me, for they were too mighty for me.”

Psalm 18: 1-3, 14-17

Hold on, Job. The King is coming. He will stop your enemy in his tracks. He will draw you out of many waters. He will restore you. He will comfort you. He will heal you. But first…He will teach you in your affliction. He will reveal Himself to you in power and in might.

Hold on, friend. The King is coming! Your affliction is not the end of the story. God is not astounded by your trouble. He isn’t confused or uncertain. He gathers his arrows to fight on your behalf, against sin, against your enemy. He came first incognito, humble, wrapped in human skin so that He could conquer sin, death, hell, the grave, and deliver us into His kingdom of light (Colossians 1). He comes next as conquering King, victorious already, riding on a white horse, the Word of God Himself (Revelations 19). Hold on, friend, as He holds you, and be taught by Him in righteousness and trust.