He opens also their ear to discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity.
openeth
Job 36:15 He delivereth the poor in his affliction, and openeth their ears in oppression.
Job 33:16-23 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, …
Psalm 40:6 Sacrifice and offering thou didst not desire; mine ears hast thou opened: burnt offering and sin offering hast thou not required.
commandeth
Proverbs 1:22,23 How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? …
Proverbs 8:4,5 Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man…
Proverbs 9:4-6 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, …
and commands that they turn from iniquity
This part of the verse highlights God's moral expectations and His desire for repentance. The command to turn from iniquity is a call to repentance, a theme prevalent throughout the Bible. Iniquity refers to moral wrongdoing or sin, and turning from it involves a conscious decision to change one's behavior and align with God's standards. This is echoed in the prophetic literature, where prophets like Isaiah and Jeremiah call the people of Israel to repentance (Isaiah 1:16-17, Jeremiah 25:5). The concept of turning from sin is also foundational in the New Testament, where John the Baptist and Jesus both preach repentance as essential for entering the Kingdom of God (Matthew 3:2, Mark 1:15). This turning away from sin and towards God is seen as a type of Christ's redemptive work, where He calls sinners to repentance and offers forgiveness through His sacrifice.
• God makes the first move; He is not passive but actively initiates contact.
• “The LORD opens the eyes of the blind” (Psalm 146:8) shows His pattern of opening what is closed.
• Elihu’s statement reminds us of Jesus knocking at the door (Revelation 3:20), inviting response.
• Hearing in Scripture is more than physical; it means receiving truth into the heart (Proverbs 20:12).
• Faith itself comes “by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ” (Romans 10:17).
• The Good Shepherd’s sheep recognize His voice and follow (John 10:27).
• God’s purpose in opening ears is loving discipline, not condemnation.
• “Do not despise the LORD’s discipline” (Proverbs 3:11-12) because it marks us as His children.
• Hebrews 12:5-6 connects divine correction with proof of sonship, urging endurance.
• The Lord is not offering suggestions; His word carries sovereign authority (Psalm 33:9).
• Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15), linking love and obedience.
• Wise builders hear and do His words, establishing life on rock (Matthew 7:24).
• Repentance is a decisive turning, a change of mind and direction.
• “Repent therefore and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away” (Acts 3:19).
• God pleads, “Turn and live!” in Ezekiel 18:30-32, revealing His heart that none should perish.
• The goal is not partial reform but separation from sin’s grip.
• “Let the wicked forsake his own way…and He will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7).
• Grace “teaches us to renounce ungodliness” (Titus 2:11-12), proving true change.
Job 36:10 shows God’s gracious initiative: He opens ears, issues authoritative commands, and calls for wholehearted repentance. The verse moves from divine action to human response, underscoring that real hearing leads to turning away from sin and toward the life God designs for His people.
Verse 10 - He openeth also their ear to discipline. It is the especial merit of Elihu's theory of suffering that he views it as far less penal than disciplinary and restorative. Job's sufferings especially he views in this light. Instead of looking upon Job, like his other friends, as a heinous sinner, upon whom Go, I is taking vengeance, he regards him as a person who is being chastised, in love, for some fault or faults that he has committed, to his ultimate advantage and improvement. This, though not exactly the truth, is far nearer the truth than the view taken by the other three "friends." And commandeth that they return from iniquity. God's chastisements are to be viewed as commands to men to "go and sin no more."