“Men do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart.”
Elihu concludes 'Therefore, mortal men fear him; he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit,' suggesting that proper response to divine power is fear and that self-confident wisdom is inappropriate. This verse ends Elihu's seven discourses with an appeal to fear as the appropriate response to divine power. The condemnation of those wise in their own conceit seems directed at Job, who has insisted on his own righteousness despite Elihu's arguments. Elihu suggests that Job's self-confidence is itself the problem, that Job needs to abandon confidence in his own wisdom and accept divine wisdom. Yet the verse also raises questions: is fear the same as love? Is fear the same as justice? Can a system of justice be grounded primarily in fear of power? Elihu's final verse does not resolve the conflict with Job but rather reasserts the position that Job's complaint stems from human presumption that should be replaced with fear. The verse marks the end of Elihu's discourse and the space into which God's direct address will come.
Church Fathers on Job 37:24
Therefore men will fear Him, and all who seem to themselves to be wise, will not dare to contemplate Him. Eliu in this place calls those who are strong of understanding ‘men.’ And we must note that he says not, ‘And wise men will not dare to contemplate Him,’ but, They who seem to themselves to be wise. By which words, namely, he implies those who are skilful, but arrogant. Eliu, therefore, while he has many forcible sentiments, has touched himself in the close of his…
Nicene & Post-Nicene / Ante-Nicene Fathers translations · public domain
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