In chapter 36, Elihu speaks of God's ways with those who fear Him.
You will remember that in chapter 33, we were shown God's frequent way of bringing sinners to Himself—the gospel in the book of Job,—and in chapter 34, His dealings with mankind,—those who forget God, and would have nothing to do with Him.
What was Job thinking, as he listened to this, younger man whose name means "God Himself," and who was really speaking with God-given wisdom and truth? (verse 4).
Elihu always speaks first of God; he justifies Him in all that He does. God is mighty, but He despises not any; He saves not the wicked alive, but He does justice to the afflicted; He withdraws not His eyes from the righteous—does not turn away from them, though He may send them severe trials.
If He does this, it is that they may see their own ways, have their ears opened, and receive His command to return from iniquity. Then (verses 11-15) we are given the comparison of the godly and the ungodly: the one hearkens, the other hearkens not, Job would have been delivered out of the jaws of distress into a broad place, only that he was full of the judgments of the wicked; Elihu bids him beware lest God's wrath take him away through chastisement.
In verse 21 word is very direct;
"Turn not to iniquity, for this hast thou chosen rather than affliction."
Job must have been confounded by Elihu's pointed words, of truth; we do not hear a single sentence from him.
But are there not many Jobs in our own day,—self-satisfied believers, and if brought into deep trial, holding to their own supposed uprightness and integrity, instead of seeking to be emptied, that God may fill them?
Is there not a reason for telling so little of Job's history before his trials, and so much of what took place in those trials? Surely there is, that we may ourselves learn the lesson Job had to learn.
Commencing at verse 22, and continuing through to the close of chapter 37, Elihu returns to the consideration of God; he exalts Him, and speaks of His power and wisdom, He would have Job to see and understand the wondrous works of God, and he closes his discourse in verses 23 and 24, attributing to Him power, judgment and justice. But it is not Elihu, but God Himself that brings Job to a right state, as the following chapters show.