Job 36:15

Job 36:15, spoken by Elihu, offers a profound insight into God's character and His dealings with humanity, particularly those who are suffering. Elihu asserts that God actively intervenes in the lives of the downtrodden, using their very hardships as a means of communication and liberation.

Context

This verse is part of Elihu's extensive discourse in the Book of Job, where he attempts to justify God's ways to Job and his three friends. Unlike Job's initial companions, who primarily attribute suffering to sin, Elihu presents a more nuanced view. He argues that God is righteous and mighty, and that He uses suffering not only as discipline but also as a pedagogical tool—a way to draw people closer to Himself, instruct them, and ultimately deliver them. Elihu emphasizes God's sovereignty and His attentiveness to the cries of the afflicted, challenging the notion that God is indifferent or unjust.

Key Themes

• Divine Deliverance: The verse highlights God's active role in rescuing those who are struggling. It's a declaration of His intervention on behalf of the vulnerable.
• God's Care for the Afflicted: It underscores God's special concern for "the poor" and those in "affliction" or "oppression." This extends beyond material poverty to include anyone who is humble, lowly, or suffering under hardship.
• Spiritual Enlightenment through Suffering: The phrase "openeth their ears" is crucial. It suggests that God uses periods of difficulty and oppression to make people more receptive to His voice, His warnings, or His instruction. Hardship can serve as a divine alarm clock, leading to a deeper understanding of spiritual truths and a turning towards God. This aligns with themes seen elsewhere, such as in Psalm 119:71, where affliction is a means to learn God's statutes.

Linguistic Insights

• The Hebrew word for "poor" (עָנִי - `ani) often denotes not just economic poverty, but also the humble, afflicted, or oppressed. It describes a state of being lowly and in need, making God's attention to them all the more significant.
• "Delivereth" (חָלַץ - khalats) means to draw out, rescue, or set free. It implies a powerful act of liberation from a difficult situation.
• "Openeth their ears" (וַיִּגֶל אָזְנָם - vayyigel oznām) literally means "uncovers their ear" or "reveals to their ear." This vivid imagery conveys the idea of God making someone attentive, receptive, or understanding. It's a spiritual awakening, allowing them to perceive divine messages they might have ignored in times of ease. Elihu uses similar language in Job 33:16, stating that God "openeth the ears of men" through instruction.

Practical Application

Job 36:15 offers immense comfort and a call to reflection for those experiencing hardship. It reminds us that God is not distant from our suffering; rather, He is intimately involved, often using trials as a means to draw us closer and reveal His purposes. For believers, this verse encourages trust in God's sovereign plan, even when it involves pain. It suggests that periods of affliction can be opportunities for profound spiritual growth and a heightened sensitivity to God's voice. We are called to remember that God has a special heart for the vulnerable, a truth echoed throughout scripture, such as in Psalm 34:6, where the poor cry out and the Lord hears them. Therefore, we too should strive to be attentive to the needs of the afflicted and oppressed around us, reflecting God's compassionate nature.