Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
The verse stands within the instructive discourses of Elihu in Job 32 to 36, which are admirable. In it Elihu declares that because he also is clay, he himself will not make Job afraid with terror nor lay a heavy hand upon him. At the same time the verse voices Job's request for the Almighty to come and speak to him as a man without terror and without a heavy hand.
That request is answered when God condescends to speak to His servant in Job 38 to 41, constantly bringing many common things Job could not understand before him to show Job's folly in questioning God's providences, speaking to Job's understanding while disclosing wonderful revelations. Yet Elihu's discourse seems not to have helped Job much. Those who approach the afflicted must not add to the fear, pain and sorrow they already feel by misunderstanding, suspicion, condemnation or harsh words, but must act as the compassionate, sympathizing Redeemer, entering into their trouble with needed counsel, sympathy, consolation and strengthening words that relieve grief.
The verse stands within the instructive discourses of Elihu in Job 32 to 36, which are admirable. In it Elihu declares that because he also is clay, he himself will not make Job afraid with terror nor lay a heavy hand upon him. At the same time the verse voices Job's request for the Almighty to come and speak to him as a man without terror and without a heavy hand.
That request is answered when God condescends to speak to His servant in Job 38 to 41, constantly bringing many common things Job could not understand before him to show Job's folly in questioning God's providences, speaking to Job's understanding while disclosing wonderful revelations. Yet Elihu's discourse seems not to have helped Job much. Those who approach the afflicted must not add to the fear, pain and sorrow they already feel by misunderstanding, suspicion, condemnation or harsh words, but must act as the compassionate, sympathizing Redeemer, entering into their trouble with needed counsel, sympathy, consolation and strengthening words that relieve grief.