Job 36:15 “But those who suffer he delivers in their suffering; he speaks to them in their affliction.”
Extended Explanation of Job 36:15
In Job 36:15, Elihu highlights a powerful truth about suffering: that God often uses difficult times to reach out to people and deliver them. Elihu is saying that in times of hardship, God isn’t distant or silent; instead, He draws close to those who are hurting, using their struggles to communicate with them and ultimately bring them to a place of healing or growth.
This verse emphasizes that suffering doesn’t mean that God has abandoned us. Rather, it suggests that He might be using hardship to reveal something important, to teach us, or to bring us closer to Him. God’s purpose in allowing suffering, according to Elihu, is often to shape our hearts and help us grow spiritually.
Historical Context
The Book of Job deals with profound questions about suffering, justice, and God’s involvement in human life. Job, a man known for his integrity, endures tremendous suffering, and his friends debate with him about the reasons behind his hardship. Elihu, a younger man who speaks after Job’s other friends, suggests that suffering can have a purpose beyond punishment or cause-and-effect. He believes that God uses affliction as a way to communicate and draw people to Himself.
In the cultural context of ancient Israel, suffering was often seen as a punishment for wrongdoing. Elihu’s perspective adds a new layer to this understanding by proposing that suffering can also be a means of deliverance and growth. Elihu suggests that God may allow difficulties not out of anger, but to accomplish a greater purpose in someone’s life, helping them realize their dependence on Him.
Theological Implications
Job 36:15 presents an important theological insight: that God is present in our suffering and uses it to shape our faith. This verse implies that suffering can be a channel through which God draws us closer to Him. When we face difficulties, we may be more likely to seek God’s help, allowing Him to work in our lives in ways we might not experience otherwise.
This verse reminds believers that God doesn’t waste pain. He is able to take our trials and use them for our good, teaching us valuable lessons and strengthening our relationship with Him. Elihu’s message in this verse is comforting: God doesn’t abandon us in hard times; He walks with us, guiding us and speaking to us through our struggles.
Literary Analysis
Elihu’s words in this verse are simple but deeply comforting. Phrases like “delivers in their suffering” and “speaks to them in their affliction” capture the idea that God is both active and compassionate. The word “delivers” suggests that God is not passive but actively involved in rescuing and supporting those who suffer. Meanwhile, “speaks to them” implies that God communicates personally, revealing His presence and purpose.
This verse is part of Elihu’s larger speech, where he defends God’s justice and compassion in the face of human suffering. Elihu’s tone is both encouraging and instructive, inviting readers to see their trials not as signs of God’s absence, but as opportunities to encounter His presence more closely.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Psalm 34:17-18 – “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” This passage echoes the idea that God is near to those who are hurting.
- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 – “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Paul speaks here about finding strength in weakness, showing that God’s presence can be felt more deeply in times of hardship.
- Romans 8:28 – “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him.” This verse reinforces that God can bring good out of every situation, even suffering.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, Job 36:15 is a reminder that God can use suffering to bring about growth and transformation. In times of pain or difficulty, it’s natural to feel isolated or wonder why God would allow such things. But this verse encourages us to look for God’s presence in our struggles, trusting that He is there to guide, comfort, and ultimately deliver us.
This verse also encourages believers to lean into prayer and trust when facing hardship. Instead of seeing suffering as a punishment, we can approach it as an opportunity to draw closer to God, seeking His wisdom and allowing Him to work in our hearts. Job 36:15 reminds us that God is always present and that He can use even the hardest times to shape us into who He’s calling us to be.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Job 36:15 shows us that God’s love extends into our hardest moments. God doesn’t distance Himself from us when we’re struggling; rather, He comes closer, using suffering as a way to communicate His care and guidance. His love is evident in His willingness to be with us, to “speak” to us through our trials, and to bring us through them.
God’s love is not limited to times of blessing or ease; it’s a constant, steady presence that remains even in times of hardship. Job 36:15 reflects a God who is not only just, but also compassionate and personally involved in each of His children’s lives. He doesn’t leave us to suffer alone but remains with us, using each trial as an opportunity to reveal His love more deeply.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Job 36:15 connects to the life and ministry of Jesus, who entered into human suffering to offer hope, healing, and deliverance. Jesus’s entire life on earth reflects God’s willingness to be with us in our struggles. He faced rejection, physical pain, and ultimately death on the cross, all to demonstrate God’s love and to open a path for humanity to experience eternal life with God.
Jesus’s words in Matthew 11:28-30—“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest”—echo the message in Job 36:15, inviting us to bring our burdens to Him. Through Jesus, we see that God is not distant or indifferent to our pain; rather, He entered into it to bring us comfort, healing, and hope. Jesus’s sacrifice assures us that God will walk with us through every trial and use it for our ultimate good.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- How does Job 36:15 change the way you view suffering or difficult times in your life?
- Have you experienced times when you felt God’s presence more deeply during hardship?
- How can this verse encourage you to seek God’s guidance and comfort during challenging moments?
- How does Jesus’s example of entering into human suffering help you understand God’s presence in your own struggles?
- In what ways can you support others who may be facing hardships, reminding them of God’s love and presence?
Job 36:15 encourages us to see that God is with us in every circumstance, even in times of suffering. Through His love, He offers comfort, guidance, and ultimately deliverance, using our trials to draw us closer to Him. Through Jesus, we see that God understands our pain and offers us a pathway to hope, healing, and peace.