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If they listen and serve him, They shall spend their days in prosperity, And their years in pleasures.
Verse Takeaways
1
The Purpose of Suffering
Commentators agree that Elihu presents suffering not as a final punishment, but as a corrective measure from God. The verse's condition, 'If they hearken and serve,' implies listening to God's voice within the trial, repenting of any revealed sin, and returning to faithful service. The goal of the affliction is ultimately restoration and renewed relationship with God.
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Book Overview
Job
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5
18th Century
Presbyterian
If they obey and serve him - That is, if, as the result of their afflictions, they repent of their sins, seek his mercy, and serve …
19th Century
Anglican
They shall spend their days in prosperity. —It is, perhaps, no easier to reconcile this teaching of Elihu’s with the actu…
17th Century
Reformed Baptist
If they obey and serve [him]That is, God, to whom so many things are ascribed in the preceding verses; and who only is to be o…
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Elihu here shows that God acts as righteous Governor. He is always ready to defend those who are injured. If our eye is always toward God in duty, …
13th Century
Catholic
Elihu wanted to argue against two points he found in Job's words: first, Job's claim that he was righteous, and second, his accusation that God's j…