Job 38-42
On Trial
Job has been wanting to present his case before God and in the next chapters we read that he gets his chance. In Chapter 38 we read that God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind. That is not surprising to me. It is the storms of life that get our attention, and that was the case with Job. As Job argued with his friends he became prideful because he was able to out argue them.
Years ago I had a 1937 Ford pickup I restored and there was a local car show that I wanted to put it in so I washed and waxed it and got it ready for the show. It looked good, at least until I parked it next to the other cars in the show. Although I was proud of my truck it was clear that my skills were lacking in comparison to other cars. Job is about to find out that there is no comparison between God and man.
In the first few verses of Chapter 38 it is clear that Job had no clue that he was no match for God. God asks Job to explain the thing we most often take for granted, creation. God asks Job to explain the creation of the heavens and the earth including the weather patterns. At the end of Chapter 38 and into Chapter 39 God asks Job to explain life beginning with the animals God created. By the time we get to Chapter 40 Job hasn’t explained anything and is speechless, but God is not done. God continues on into Chapter 41 comparing Job to the larger and more powerful animals that God created. By the time we get to Chapter 42 the trial is over and Job realizes that he has way overstepped and he repents.
What do you believe about this world we live in? Hebrews 11:3 says, “By faith we understand the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.” NIV
It is also clear in this testimony from God that He had a plan and order by which this world operates and we depend on. Whether or not we know or understand them, this world operates on various laws man has discovered over the centuries like the laws of nature and the laws of science to just name a couple. These existed, and mankind depended on them long before they became known. For instance why is it that sailors can navigate according to the stars even though we are in constant motion?
When the trial began there was a severe storm brewing. God called His first and last witness, His Creation. That was the only witness God needed. His creation is still testifying today.
Psalm 19:1-3 says, “The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech of language where their voice is not heard.” NIV
What do you believe about creation? Most often we just repeat what others have told us without really thinking it through. That is blind faith that has eternal consequences.
God’s testimony regarding creation is found in His Word, the Bible. Here are a few more scriptures for further study. Psalm 19, Psalm 97; Ecclesiastes 3; Isaiah 40:10-31
Look up. Look around, learn from creation, and turn to God!
Pastor Dave