GOD BEGINS TO QUESTION JOB

Beginning with this post, we will take a look at every verse. I am going to switch to the NKJV for easier reading. My prayer is that as we go through each section, you too will take time to ponder on these questions and what they reveal to us about our Creator.

Job 38:1–3 “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: “Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.”

The voice of the LORD comes with power and force. He describes the human reasoning He has heard as devoid of knowledge. The LORD tells Job to prepare himself to answer His questions. Through this series of questions, Job is going to be taught that God’s actions on behalf of His creation are to be met with total submission and faith. These questions will provide an exclamation point on those very important verses in Isaiah.

Isaiah 55:8–9 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

The LORD now begins asking a series of questions, one after another. These questions are meant to help Job understand that when it comes to understanding the ways of God, he simply cannot. God is too big; He is beyond our total understanding. That is one of the most important distinctives of Who He Is.

Job 38:4–7 ““Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

Obviously, Job wasn’t around when the foundations of the earth were laid. He has no clue what the measures of that foundation are or how that foundation is anchored. Those measurements include the earth’s position in the universe, the precise angle of its axis, its rotation, the force of gravity, etc. He didn’t hear the angels singing or shouting for joy as they saw the creation of planet earth.

Job 38:8–11 ““Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; When I said, “This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!’

Job had no clue as to where the sea came from or how He controlled the waves and established the limits of their reach. He didn’t understand the relationship of the moon and the tides. He didn’t understand how the clouds could hold water.

Though Job did not have understanding as to when and how, he did give testimony of what he believed.

Job 26:7–8 & 10 “He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing. He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them…. He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end.”

On to the next series of questions concerning day and night.

Job 38:12–15 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it? It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment. From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken.”

Job had obviously never exercised control over the dawn of the day or the rising of the sun in the east. This would include the positioning of the sun and its effect on the length of daylight and the seasons as experienced in the different locations on planet earth.

Job had never commanded the light to shine and expose wickedness. The light is described as revealing the shape of the earth, its topography, just like clay that is pressed into the shape of the seal that is used upon it. The light helps prevent the spread of wickedness by those who prefer to hide their deeds in the darkness. Couldn’t help but think of the words of Jesus.

John 3:19 “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.”

God’s questions for Job continue.

Job 38:16–18 “Have you explored the springs from which the seas come? Have you walked about and explored their depths? Do you know where the gates of death are located? Have you seen the gates of utter gloom? Do you realize the extent of the earth? Tell me about it if you know!”

The springs of the seas make reference to the underground chambers of waters in the earth located far in the depths of the sea. Job had no clue as to these depths or even where they were. Also acknowledged as underground were the gates of death or Hades. I like a statement John Wesley made regarding our knowledge of death: “While we are here in a world of sense, we speak of the world of spirits, as blind men do of colours, and when we remove thither, shall be amazed to find how much we were mistaken.”

Though in our day we have much information regarding the size of the earth, we have yet to gain great understanding about the greatest depths of the earth and sea and its mysteries. Job, however, had no clue. The implication being, as with every other question, God knows all about these things.