23 Who hath enjoined him his way? or who can say, Thou hast wrought iniquity?
23 Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'?
23 Who has prescribed for him his way, or who can say, 'You have done wrong'?
23 Has anyone ever had to tell him what to do, or correct him, saying, 'You did that all wrong!'?
23 Who has assigned Him His way, Or who has said, 'You have done wrong'?
23 No one can tell him what to do, or say to him, 'You have done wrong.'
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 36:23
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.