Year 1, Week 4, Day 1 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 4, Day 1

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Job 38-41.

Today’s reading provides God’s Words to Job. These Words might come as a surprise. In light of the suffering that Job has experienced, we might have anticipated a softer, more comforting response. Job had been seeking a hearing before the Lord so that God might provide an explanation to Job for his suffering. No explanation is immediately offered. Instead God declares two rounds of interrogation. The first round begins with: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” (Job 38:2-4), followed by a series of interrogations leveled at Job. The second round begins similarly: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Will you even put me in the wrong? Will you condemn me that you may be in the right? Have you an arm like God, and can you thunder with a voice like his?” (Job 40:7-9), followed by another series of interrogations. After each round, Job replies (see Job 40:2-5; 42:1-6).

God never gives a direct answer to Job’s bewilderment as to what has happened to him. God never offers an apology to Job for the wrongs that Job feels that he has experienced. God simply makes the point to Job that he has neither the knowledge and wisdom nor the power and authority that God has.

I was struck by what today’s reading reveals about the majestic greatness of God and His unrivaled judgment that guides all that God does. God has established all that exists: “The earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” (Psalm 24:1-2). The wisdom of God informed all the elements and structures of creation: “The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.” (Proverbs 3:19-20). God rules over all that exists: “For the LORD, the Most High, is to be feared, a great king over all the earth.” (Psalm 47:2). God rules with wisdom: “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might.” (Daniel 2:20).

God’s interaction with Job stresses at least two things that Job must understand. First, God does not need wisdom and counsel in presiding over His universe: “Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding?” (Isaiah 40:12-13). Second, God does not need aid and assistance in carrying out the operations of His universe: “The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.” (Acts 17:24-25).

Be careful about making a wrong conclusion at this point. Just because God is not dependent upon us for counsel or help, does not mean we are nothing to Him. The point that God does not need us has nothing to do with God’s care toward us. Just the opposite; His care for us is not at all predicated upon our usefulness to Him: “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” (Psalm 8:3-4). We too should marvel at God’s care for us.

And so we should realize and even relish God’s care. But when life collapses on us, it is normal to want our sufferings to make sense to us. They often will not—at least for a while; sometimes, not for quite a while; other times, not ever in this life. What today’s reading shows us is that it is not our place to put God on trial. We do not know enough, nor are we capable enough to question Him. However, we can bring our broken, confused, overwhelmed sorrows to Him: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?” (Psalm 13:1-2). Lament is not lashing out at God demanding He explain Himself; lament is turning to God in our hurt seeking His help.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe