God graciously calls the errant to heed His discipline, drawing them away from destructive paths and into His wisdom.
Elihu, a younger man who speaks after Job’s three friends have finished, emphasizes God’s greatness and just discipline in calling wayward people back to righteousness. Here he describes how the Almighty cares about the moral direction of humanity and actively intervenes for their good. He says that He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil (Job 36:10). This picture conveys God’s profound mercy—He reveals truth to those who have turned aside from His ways, urging them to listen and change course.
Elihu lived around the estimated period of the patriarchs, possibly near the time of Abraham (around 2000-1800 BC), though the exact date is uncertain. He speaks in the land of Uz—a region often identified east of the Jordan—where Job’s trials unfold. By declaring that He also opens their ear to instruction (Job 36:10), Elihu underscores that God takes the initiative to pierce hearts and minds, guiding people toward repentance. Whenever believers face crisis or adversity, God’s purpose is not to destroy but to reclaim, teaching them to leave behind moral failings and cling to what is right.
This verse also reminds us that God’s command to return from evil (Job 36:10) involves turning completely away from wrongdoing, a response of humble obedience rather than legalistic duty. The concept of spiritual attentiveness appears often in Scripture—James, for instance, calls believers to be doers of the word and not hearers only, urging a wholehearted conformity to God’s truth (James 1:22). When hearts are open to God’s correction, people experience growth in righteousness and a richer season of fellowship with Him.
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Job 36:10 meaning
Elihu, a younger man who speaks after Job’s three friends have finished, emphasizes God’s greatness and just discipline in calling wayward people back to righteousness. Here he describes how the Almighty cares about the moral direction of humanity and actively intervenes for their good. He says that He also opens their ear to instruction, And commands that they return from evil (Job 36:10). This picture conveys God’s profound mercy—He reveals truth to those who have turned aside from His ways, urging them to listen and change course.
Elihu lived around the estimated period of the patriarchs, possibly near the time of Abraham (around 2000-1800 BC), though the exact date is uncertain. He speaks in the land of Uz—a region often identified east of the Jordan—where Job’s trials unfold. By declaring that He also opens their ear to instruction (Job 36:10), Elihu underscores that God takes the initiative to pierce hearts and minds, guiding people toward repentance. Whenever believers face crisis or adversity, God’s purpose is not to destroy but to reclaim, teaching them to leave behind moral failings and cling to what is right.
This verse also reminds us that God’s command to return from evil (Job 36:10) involves turning completely away from wrongdoing, a response of humble obedience rather than legalistic duty. The concept of spiritual attentiveness appears often in Scripture—James, for instance, calls believers to be doers of the word and not hearers only, urging a wholehearted conformity to God’s truth (James 1:22). When hearts are open to God’s correction, people experience growth in righteousness and a richer season of fellowship with Him.