Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded.
The verse belongs to Elihu's speeches, which form part of the book's discussion of human suffering and its relation to character. Within that discussion it belongs to his argument about Job and the cause and purpose of human suffering. In that argument Elihu contends that Job is not great in himself and that God is everything. This plea illustrates the larger lesson that God's moral dealings and purposes, especially where eternal life is at stake, exceed what people can understand.
God uses affliction, discipline, and disease to show people their work and conduct and the transgressions they have exceeded or persisted in. This showing is God's correcting hand to discipline and instruct people, a merciful reproof to purify them. By it He leads them to repent and to turn from evil and wrongdoing and to obey and serve Him. Those who heed this reproof and obey may live in prosperity, but refusing it leads to destruction.
The verse belongs to Elihu's speeches, which form part of the book's discussion of human suffering and its relation to character. Within that discussion it belongs to his argument about Job and the cause and purpose of human suffering. In that argument Elihu contends that Job is not great in himself and that God is everything. This plea illustrates the larger lesson that God's moral dealings and purposes, especially where eternal life is at stake, exceed what people can understand.
God uses affliction, discipline, and disease to show people their work and conduct and the transgressions they have exceeded or persisted in. This showing is God's correcting hand to discipline and instruct people, a merciful reproof to purify them. By it He leads them to repent and to turn from evil and wrongdoing and to obey and serve Him. Those who heed this reproof and obey may live in prosperity, but refusing it leads to destruction.