“Pounded By God's Greatness”

Tuesday, December 22, 2020

BIBLE READING: Job 38-41

There are processes in the natural world which are clearly evident: The water cycle, the rising and setting of the sun, the formation and appearance of constellations in the sky. For generations humanity has observed and noted these patterns. We have examined how they work and why they work, and it seems we are always learning more about these various systems. But none of us created it. We are merely students of a world gifted to us by the Creator.

This is God’s angle in his “defense” to Job. Job has spoken pointed words of grievance and called God to the carpet. In response, God challenges Job to strap it on (Job 38.3) and answer His questions:

• Did you make it? (Job 38.4-11)
• Did you order it? (Job 38.12-30)
• Does it do what you tell it to do? (Job 38.34-35)
• Do you see and understand it all? (Job 39.1-8)

God bombards Job with question after question, forcing him to consider the magnitude of his greatness. God cites example after example of his authority and control of this world, challenging Job’s right to protest. If Job could answer yes to even one of these questions, he may have a leg to stand on. But with each question, Job’s boldness is pounded by God’s greatness. He has no grounds for complaint and must instead appeal to God’s mercy.

The implication of God’s discourse should be obvious. There is an immediate disparity Job must recognize. As good as Job claims God to be, Job still has no place to impose on God’s sovereign right to do what he wants. “…the LORD said to Job: ‘Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?’” (Job 40.2)

Despite all this we must also see the goodness of God. He doesn’t have to respond to Job, but he does. He doesn’t have to defend his greatness, but he obliges. Although God is stern and direct, his response is an act of mercy and grace. He constrains his indignation and chooses rather to remind Job of his Divine right.

This is something we must seriously consider. We are quick to impose what we believe God should do. But we lack the authority and ability to understand what God knows. We are not the Creator; we are the created. He knows and sees all things; who are we to contend with God? He has revealed all we need to know about him (2 Peter 1.3), but do we humbly acknowledge him? As with Job, our complaints, regardless of the circumstances, are an affront to the Almighty.

And so, we too must acknowledge, “I am of small account; shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth… I will proceed no further” (Job 40.4-5). In circumstances beyond our control, let us keep ourselves in check and give thanks to Almighty God for making all things work together for good, according to his purpose (Romans 8.28)

"Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God..." (Romans 11.22)

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