“In all their affliction He was afflicted, and the Angel of His Presence saved them” (Isa 63:9).
Some would say in the southern United States that in Job 36:16-23 Elihu has stopped preachin’ and gone to meddlin’. He is no longer speaking in general terms but is specifically addressing Job. The previous verse (v 15) says, “He delivers the poor in their affliction.” But the words for “poor” and “affliction” are both the Hebrew ‘âniy. Thus a preferred alternative translation: “God rescues the afflicted by their affliction” (BSB). How does this relate to Job? Elihu tells us. “Indeed He would have brought you out of dire distress, into a broad place where there is no restraint; and what is set on your table would be full of richness” (v 16). Instead of arguing with the Lord and seeking to defend his righteousness before his friends, if only he had submitted to the disciplines of the Lord! By this time he may have been fully recovered from those afflictions by learning the lessons they were meant to teach him. This is the point in Paul’s explanation that our affliction “is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor 4:17). Afflictions, like employees, are “working for us,” not against us. You must always pay your employees, but what good returns in glory that far exceed the troubles! Nothing can insulate us from God’s dealings with us. “For a large ransom would not help you avoid it. Will your riches, or all the mighty forces, keep you from distress?” (Job 36:18- 19). But there’s good news for those who have been resisting God’s training in their lives. It’s still not too late! “Behold, God is exalted by His power; who teaches like Him? Who has assigned Him His way, or who has said, ‘You have done wrong’?” (vv 22-23). This supreme Teacher never flags in His power to help, never gives up on His pupils, and never makes a mistake.