Job 38-41 God’s Turn
It’s God’s turn to speak to Job. Job wanted His attention. Now he has it. And he will never be the same again.
God doesn’t give Job the kind of answer he was asking for. He doesn’t tell him “why” all this has happened to him. He simply and completely shows Job who is God and who is not. He also does not condemn Job. Instead, He leads him to a right understanding of his place in the grand scheme of things.
Let’s rejoin our story as God gets to voice His answer to Job’s complaint. Holy Spirit, guide my mind through today’s time with Your story. I feel as small and inadequate as Job must have felt after You spoke to him. But I will try my best and rely on You to do the rest.
♥ ♦ ♥
Elihu is quiet now. Job and his three friends are considering his word. All is silent for a full minute. Then out of the stillness, the wind begins to blow. It rises in intensity and begins twisting in on itself. Job and his counselors watch in fear and awe as it stands before them. Then they tremble as a voice emerges from its center. There is NO mistaking its source. It is the very voice of God. All sit spellbound as the Lord answers Job. It is His turn to speak.
“Who is it that is speaking foolishly and without wisdom? Stand up like a man. I will question you and you will answer Me.”
Shaking with fear and awe, Job rises to his feet. “This is what I asked for. Now what do I do” he thinks to himself.
The Lord begins speaking. His voice clear and powerful. None can tear their attention away from the column of wind before them.
“Where were you when I first created the universe? Who was it that determined its size? Surely you know this. How did I make the bases? On what are they anchored? Surely you understand this all. And where were you when all the angels of God sang the praises of their Creator and His creation?”
Job’s mouth moves but nothing is coming out of it. This is NOT how he was expecting when he asked to face God. The Lord continues without an answer, for He expected none.
“Who was it that created the seas and set its limits? Who shut it in with boundaries firm enough to hold it? Who made the clouds overhead that both drink in and release the waters from beneath them? Who set the ocean in motion? Allowing it to surge and retreat, but only so far.”
Job stands mute as God speaks. His friends cower to the side.
“Since the day of your birth, have you had control over the dawn? The beauty of it sculpted in majesty as it chases away the darkness each morning. The wicked see it and cower, for it reveals their sins and hidden motives.”
“Have you stepped into the depths of the ocean and walked among the fishers that open to it? Have you stood in front the gates of death or touched the depths of darkness? Do you understand the very workings of the earth? If so, reveal them to Me!”
Job’s head is bowed in shame as he has no answer for His Lord, despite his earlier words.
“Where and how was light formed? What are its origins? And darkness? Do you know how to balance them, to set limits where one begins and the other ends? Where their ‘homes’ are? You must know, for you were born then; so great are the number of your years!”
Shame covers Job’s face and its color is evident, even through the sores and scars covering his face.
“What about the storehouses for snow and hail? Have you entered them? Seen what is stored up for the days of trouble and battle? Where is the place where light springs forth, to be distributed upon the land, or where does the east wind live, before it moves across the earth and scatters the leaves? Who carved out the channels where the rain flows to? Who made the paths to water the barren places where no man lives? Who is it that brings the grass from to desolate land and sets the path for the thunderbolt?”
“Who is it that created the rains? Who gave substance to the dew? Who turns it into ice and frost? Whose hand is so great that it turns the water hard; even in the deepest places?”
“Can you bind the stars in their places? Did you set them into their constellations? Can you loose the bonds that hold them in place? Do you know how to order the galaxy and what it takes to hold it in its limits?”
Tears fall from Job’s eyes as the words of his Creator continue to show him how great He is and how small Job is. God is not finished with His answer yet.
“Can you control the clouds with just a word and cause them to bring rain, or flood waters that sweep over your head? Do you control the lighting and tell it where to strike or to gather to your side? Who is it that puts understanding and wisdom into the minds? Who can count the clouds with wisdom and tip the very heavens to pour out the rains where the dust sticks to the earth and cries out for rain?”
“Can you provide food for the beasts of the earth? Provide prey for the lion to hunt and feed her young? Did you teach them how to crouch in the thicket and wait? Or do you provide food for the raven when her young cries out to God because food is scarce?”
“Do you know where the mountain goats give birth? How long it takes for the young to develop? How to give form to what grows inside them and bring it out at just the right time? To give them strength to grow to adulthood and move out on their own?”
“Who cares for the wild donkeys? I have given them the arid plains and the salt lands for their homes. They fear the city and hear not the sounds of the drover’s voice. They roam the mountains and search out every green thing for their food; which I have provided for them.”
“The wild ox. Is he willing to serve you? To plow your fields and sleep in your stalls? Can you trust him among your grain and expect him to do your labors for you? Do you have faith that he will he bend to your will simply because he is strong and you have captured him?”
“And what of the ostrich? She waves her wings in beauty but she cares little for her young. She lays her eggs in the sand and doesn’t think about breaking them as she steps about, nor about predators snatching them. God has not given her wisdom or understanding and she demonstrates it in her daily movements. She even is a danger to horse and rider as she is faster and more dangerous.”
“And what of the horse? Did you give him his strength? Did you clothe his neck with mane? Did you give him his strength and bravery? That he goes up against weapons without fear? Upon his back he proudly wears the armor and weaponry of his rider and goes bravely into battle. He longs to hear the sound of the trumpet that he may charge into action.”
“Or the soaring hawk. Is it by your understanding and design that he flies? Or did you create the eagle that soars on the wind? He makes his home on the high mountain crags. From there he spies out his pray and plans his attacks. He teaches his children by feeding them the blood of his prey and where there is death, you will find him.”
God’s voice booms out His next words.
“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it” (Job 40:2).
Job trembles as he answers the Lord.
“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further” (Job 40:3-4) Job answers then covers his mouth tightly with his hands.
Job cannot see God’s face in the whirlwind, but if he could, he would see Him nod in appreciation of Job’s response. But He isn’t finished yet. He intends to make His point everlasting in Job’s heart as well as those who stand by gawking.
“Stand before me, prepared to give an answer. I will question YOU and you will give me your answer. Will you say that I work evil? Will you condemn me, just so you can be right? Have YOU the might of God? Can your voice even thunder as mine does?”
“You stand in My place. Go ahead. Adorn yourself with majesty and splendor. Pour out your anger on those who are proud or arrogant before you. Look on the proud and bring him low, trample the wicked into the dust. Then I will acknowledge you and say that you have a right to save by your own hand.”
God changes tactics. He KNOWS that Job cannot measure up to Himself, and he is certain that Job knows this by now too.
“Consider the largest creature that I made; the Behemoth. I made him as surely as I made you; even before you were formed. He eats grass like the ox, yet he is the strongest of all the animals I created. His tail is as strong as a ceder, his muscles like iron, and his bones like bronze. The mountains are his food. He rests wherever he pleases; in marshes or under the lotus tree. Nothing frightens him. Even when the Jordan rushes at flood stage, he is not concerned. Do you think that YOU could even contend with him? Draw him out with a hook?”
“Consider the Leviathan. Do you think you could catch him with a fishhook or put a bridal and bit on him? Will he listen to your pleas, or speak soft words to you? Will you play with him like a bird, or put a leash on him and lead him about? Will you sell him in the marketplace? Will you try and kill him and sell the meat? Try it ONCE and you will NEVER try it again! NO ONE dares stir him up or can stand before him!”
“Yet I made him. What has anyone given to ME that I should be bound to repay him? EVERYTHING under the whole heavens is MINE.”
“I won’t keep silent concerning him; him might, his strength, and his godly frame. Who could take his skin from him? Who could come to him with a bridle? Who can part his lips and gaze into his mouth around his teeth? His back is armor plated with shields so tightly woven that even air cannot penetrate them. His eyes gleam and steam comes from his nostrils. He shoots flames from his mouth. With just a twitch of his head on his neck, he strikes terror. No force of man can move him when he sets his feet. His heart is hard as stone and crushes all that it encounters. When he rises up, he makes the bravest of men tremble in fear. Swords, spears, javelins, and darts cannot pierce his hide. He laughs at the rattling of javelins and clubs are like stubble to him. His underbelly is like jagged spikes, cutting through all it comes into contact with. He swims as easily as he walks and he leaves a frothing wake behind him as he moves through the water. There is no creature on earth that is his equal or who strikes such fear. ‘He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride’ (Job 41:34).”
(to be continued)
Job learns his place in a BIG way. We will see his answer to the Lord next time. But, while I was reading the description of the last two ‘creatures’ God describes, I’m reminded of two things. The Behemoth reminds me of a brontosaurus. His tail like a cedar, thick legs, and plant eating. The Levithan reminds me of the dragon of Revelation. That dragon is Satan. No weapon of man can pierce the dragon, but the sword of God’s word does. Man doesn’t slay Satan; Jesus does.
Because of the work Jesus did on the cross, we can stand against Satan. We stand covered in His blood and use His name to rebuke Satan. Our natural weapons have no power to vanquish him. Not ‘will power’. Not ‘channeling spirits’. Not ‘invocations’. Not sword or spear. ONLY through the power of Jesus and humility. He is king of the sons of the proud. So, coming against him in pride and arrogance only feeds him. Come humbly before God and ask HIM to fight your battles. Trust in HIS strength to make Satan flee.
Father God, THANK YOU that I am not at the mercy of Satan. Thank You for sending Jesus to conquer him for me. I don’t have to bow down to him because my Savior is standing up to him.
I would LOVE to see snippets from Your video of creation. How You shaped the animals that we have today. How You moved through the process. How You began work on man BEFORE there was any brush in the fields or small plants on the land (Genesis 2:5 paraphrased). I have SO MANY questions! Maybe someday You will answer them all. On the bench in Heaven, hopefully. Until then, I will hold fast to what You have shared with me and trust You with what still remains a mystery to me.
