22 Lo, God is exalted in his power: who teacheth as he? 23 Who hath appointed him his way? or who hath said, Thou hast wrought unrighteousness?
24 Remember that thou magnify his work, which men celebrate. 25 All men look at it; man beholdeth [it] afar off. 26 Lo, God is great, and we comprehend [him] not, neither can the number of his years be searched out. 27 For he draweth up the drops of water: they distil in rain from the vapour which he formeth, 28 Which the skies pour down [and] drop upon man abundantly. 29 But can any understand the spreadings of the clouds, [or] the crashing of his pavilion? 30 Lo, he spreadeth his light around him, and covereth the bottom of the sea. 31 For with them he judgeth the peoples; he giveth food in abundance. 32 [His] hands he covereth with lightning, and commandeth it where it is to strike. 33 His thundering declareth concerning him; the cattle even, concerning its coming.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 36:22-41
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.
Commentary on Job 36:24-33
(Read Job 36:24-33)
Elihu endeavours to fill Job with high thought of God, and so to persuade him into cheerful submission to his providence. Man may see God's works, and is capable of discerning his hand in them, which the beasts are not, therefore they ought to give him the glory. But while the worker of iniquity ought to tremble, the true believer should rejoice. Children should hear with pleasure their Father's voice, even when he speaks in terror to his enemies. There is no light but there may be a cloud to intercept it. The light of the favour of God, the light of his countenance, the most blessed light of all, even that light has many a cloud. The clouds of our sins cause the Lord to his face, and hinder the light of his loving-kindness from shining on our souls.