United States Supreme Court“Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.” Job 40:2
With all due respects, I was going to “take a break” from sharing the Job portion of our scheduled reading today. Then I turned the wrangling corner and hit a Summit. This next chapter is the absolute antithesis of Job’s fickled friends and Job’s own handle on things.
Elihu came nearest to the truth, and now Jehovah appears un-expectantly in a whirlwind (the symbol of judgment).
Now Job and the Lord are face to face. It is worth mentioning, that Job does not answer Elihu. Despite his harsh judgment he spoke truly about God - and Job remains silent!
Elihu took notice of the whirlwind back in Chapter 37:1-2, 9 I found this to be an awesome discovery. Elihu noticed God coming from a distance. He may not have known that God was the whirlwind, but he was aware of its eminent arrival – as was Job, and his other friends.
How aware am I of God’s presence from afar?
Humble faith and sincere obedience see farthest and best into the will of the Lord!
Throughout these verses, God is convincing Job of his ignorance. Job is challenged to give an account of six things;
1. Of the day-spring (dawn, early in the morning) – Chapter 38:12 “Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place;”
We welcome the morning, but we don’t command it! The “day-spring” knew its place before we knew ours and was not designed primarily for us, yet we take advantage of it every day. The “day-spring” reveals the Glory of God!
2. Of the springs of the sea (large body of water bursting forth) – Vs.16 “Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth?
Do you know what lies at the bottom of the sea Job? Do you see the vapors’ exhaled from the ocean each day? Do you know how the rivers constantly supply the sea without overflowing the earth?
3. Of the gates of death – Vs.17 “Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death?”
Death is a secret; we don’t know when, we have no idea how, and we cannot predict who will face it - what disease or what disaster will be the door to let us into the house appointed for all living?
4. Of the breadth of the earth – Vs.18 “Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all.”
Who has ever done the numbers and calculated the breadth of the earth? Who has surveyed its acreage and given an account of it all? At this point, Job (or anyone else for that matter), had never sailed around the world – nor anyone before him.
We cannot begin to comprehend the “breadth of the earth” and yet, we dive into God’s counsel on a regular basis. Isn’t that incredible?
5. Of the place and way of light and darkness – Vs.19 “Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof,”
Was Job a witness to the order and operation of God’s light? God created both the light and darkness, as He did peace and evil.
6. Of the treasures of the snow and hail – Vs.22 “Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail,”
God can fight as effectually with snow and hail, if he pleases, as with thunder and lightning or the sword of an angel!
Personal Observation
Through a 60-question quiz from God, Job saw God and Job saw himself – Chapters 38-41
1. The Lord is righteous and holy in his dealings with us, and that we are unrighteous and unholy in our conduct towards him.
2. God can do EVERYTHING WITHOUT US!
3. The strength and power of all God’s creatures (even angels themselves), is derived from God. They are limited by Him and dependent on him; but the power of God is original, independent, and unlimited.
4. Job is perhaps the most eloquent pieces of literature ever written. All speeches; the accuser’s and the accused, fail comparing in their command of literacy, as God – who speaks, and it is done!
God’s voice was perfected audible in the whirlwind. He startled Job and got his attention immediately.
Do I hear God’s voice in the midst of the storm?
I Love You,
Deborah
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