What is the meaning of Job 33:16? He • “He” centers the focus on the LORD, the sovereign Initiator who takes the first step toward humanity. • Earlier Elihu has stressed, “For God speaks once, yea twice, yet no one perceives it” (Job 33:14), underscoring that the Almighty is actively reaching out. • Scripture consistently shows God as the One who begins every redemptive conversation: “The LORD called Samuel” (1 Samuel 3:10); “He who planted the ear, does He not hear?” (Psalm 94:9). • The verse therefore reminds us that any spiritual awakening starts with God, not with human curiosity or effort. opens their ears • God “opens their ears” to overcome the natural dullness of fallen hearts, granting the ability to hear and understand His voice. • This mirrors Elihu’s later statement: “He opens their ears to instruction and commands that they turn from iniquity” (Job 36:10). • Isaiah gives a similar picture: “He awakens Me morning by morning… He opens My ear to listen like one being taught” (Isaiah 50:4-5). • In New-Testament language, Jesus repeats, “Whoever has ears, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15), and the Spirit echoes the call to the churches (Revelation 2:7). • Practically, the phrase affirms that genuine hearing is a gift; our role is to respond once God has graciously unclogged spiritual ears. and terrifies them with warnings • Divine revelation is not merely informative; it is arresting. When God speaks, His holiness produces a wholesome fear meant to steer us away from destruction. • Psalm 119:120 reflects this response: “My flesh trembles in awe of You.” • Such fear is protective; Hebrews 12:28-29 urges believers to “serve God acceptably with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.” • Historical examples show the fruit of godly terror: Nineveh trembled at Jonah’s warning and repented (Jonah 3:4-10); King Josiah tore his robes when confronted with the book of the Law (2 Kings 22:11-13). • God’s warnings are therefore mercy in action—severe, yet aimed at salvation, so that people may “turn from wrongdoing and be kept from pride” (Job 33:17). summary Job 33:16 paints a vivid three-step portrait: the LORD initiates, He grants the capacity to hear, and He backs His word with solemn warnings that provoke repentant awe. Far from cruelty, this pattern showcases divine kindness—God shakes sleepers awake so they can receive life-preserving truth and walk in righteousness. |
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