Job 38 could be outlined –
Job is Confronted by God (Job 38:1-3)
God Questions Job (Job 38:4-11)
Light and Darkness (Job 38:12-24)
God’s Mighty Works (Job 38:25-41)
God finally speaks.
1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 2 "Who is this who darkens counsel By words without knowledge? 3 Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. Job 38:1-3 (NKJV)
JOB IS CONFRONTED BY GOD
Notice that God does not speak to Elihu or to any of the other of Job’s “friends – but He speaks to Job directly. God says, “Who is this that has come into my courtroom – and speaks words without knowing all the facts?” The Contemporary English Version renders this version:
“Why do you talk so much when you know so little?” Job 38:2 (CEV)
In this case God speaks to Job out of the “whirlwind”. Remember God does not always speak that way. He chooses how and when He will speak – that is not our choice. God is not subject to our whims or our wills.
"Go, stand on the mountain at attention before God. God will pass by." A hurricane wind ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks before God, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t in the earthquake; and after the earthquake fire, but God wasn’t in the fire; and after the fire a gentle and quiet whisper.” 1 Kings 19:11-12 (MSG)
God now gives Job three requirements:
1. Prepare yourself like a man.
2. I will question you.
3. You will answer Me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, 7 When the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy? 8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors, When it burst forth and issued from the womb; 9 When I made the clouds its garment, And thick darkness its swaddling band; 10 When I fixed My limit for it, And set bars and doors; 11 When I said, ’This far you may come, but no farther, And here your proud waves must stop!’ Job 38:4-11 (NKJV)
GOD QUESTIONS JOB
The heading of this section is misleading. In this entire chapter and the next God questions Job. God is clearly showing Job his place in the big scheme of things. Job is not in charge of the universe – neither are we. None of us have set the sun – the stars – or the moon in its place. We do not have that power. Yet we want life to be centered around our needs and our wishes. Life does not always follow our desires. Because of this fact here is a great principle for all of us to remember:
Life is the testing ground of our faith.
This is the main principle of the book of Job. Will Job remain faithful – even when nothing in this world is going the way he wants it to go? Satan in chapter two had told God that Job would not remain faithful. God said, “Put him to the test.”
Much of what is said in this chapter is what Elihu has already said in the previous chapter. Elihu could see the mighty power of God in the works of nature.
Here are the questions that God asks Job in this section:
1. Job were you around when I laid the foundations of the earth?
2. Job did you determine the depth and breath of the foundation?
3. Job did you stretch the measuring tape across the foundation?
4. Job do you know what the foundation was attached to?
5. Job do you know who it was that laid the corner stone?
6. Job who was it that determined how much water the oceans would hold?
God tells Job several times in this section – who has done these things. (verse four) “I laid the foundations of the earth.” (verse nine) “I made the clouds.” (verse ten) “I fixed My limit.”
In verses eight through eleven God is talking about the oceans. He shut the doors so that only so much water was allowed in. He set the limit for it. He even spoke and said, “You can come this far and no further.”
God is all powerful and all mighty. He sets limits. Satan was only allowed to go so far in the testing of Job. God set the limits. I praise God that He is all powerful and all mighty and that He sets limits. Remember:
“No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it.”
1 Corinthians 10:13 (MSG)
12 "Have you commanded the morning since your days began, And caused the dawn to know its place, 13 That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, And the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It takes on form like clay under a seal, And stands out like a garment. 15 From the wicked their light is withheld, And the upraised arm is broken. 16 "Have you entered the springs of the sea? Or have you walked in search of the depths? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death? 18 Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me, if you know all this. 19 "Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place, 20 That you may take it to its territory, That you may know the paths to its home? 21 Do you know it, because you were born then, Or because the number of your days is great? 22 "Have you entered the treasury of snow, Or have you seen the treasury of hail, 23 Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, For the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is light diffused, Or the east wind scattered over the earth? Job 38:12-24 (NKJV)
LIGHT AND DARKNESS
God continues to question Job:
1. Have you set the time that the sun will rise – have you created the day break?
2. Have you discovered how the oceans are kept full?
3. Have you walked in the depth of the seas?
4. Do you know what death is like?
5. Do you know what lies beyond death – have you seen it?
6. Have you comprehended the vastness of the earth?
7. Where does light live – where does it dwell?
8. Where does darkness live – where is its resting place?
9. Do you know the path to the homes of light and darkness?
10. Are you old enough to have seen these things – were alive when this all began?
11. Do you know how many snowflakes are scheduled to fall on the earth?
12. Have you seen the storehouse of hail that is ready for the day of battle and war?
13. How does light travel to the ends of the earth?
Again Job is asked question after question. Who is man or the son of man that he could answer such questions? We think we are in charge – but that is not the case. We are not even in charge of our own lives – yet we think we are. We think we are the center of the universe. We believe that the world revolves around us – how false a concept. Our salvation – our redemption is based on this fact:
God will save no man – He can not command.
Salvation is the process of putting God in His rightful place. He is the creator – the ruler of our lives but many don’t understand this fact. We must submit to this fact if we are to have eternal life. Dear listener – what do you think the Lordship of Christ is all about? Salvation does not come to those who think they can save themselves. God does not save those who think they have the power to save themselves. God does not help those who think that they can help themselves. If you think that – it is a matter of pride. God helps those who have no hope in helping themselves. God saves those who know that they can not save themselves.
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”
Luke 19:10 (KJV)
Jesus taught it this way:
"Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
Matthew 5:3 (NKJV)
25 "Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water, Or a path for the thunderbolt, 26 To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one, A wilderness in which there is no man; 27 To satisfy the desolate waste, And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass? 28 Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew? 29 From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth? 30 The waters harden like stone, And the surface of the deep is frozen. 31 "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades, Or loose the belt of Orion? 32 Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs? 33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth? 34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, That an abundance of water may cover you? 35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go, And say to you, ’Here we are!’? 36 Who has put wisdom in the mind? Or who has given understanding to the heart? 37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven, 38 When the dust hardens in clumps, And the clods cling together? 39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion, Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, 40 When they crouch in their dens, Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait? 41 Who provides food for the raven, When its young ones cry to God, And wander about for lack of food? Job 38:25-41 (NKJV)
GOD’S MIGHTY WORKS
This heading may be misleading. All of God’s works are mighty. God’s mighty works can be seen in the telescope as well as in the microscope. He is concerned about that which is colossal as well as that which is minute. From the expanse of the universe to the smallest particle – God’s works are mighty.
God continues to ask Job questions:
1. Who has determined the course that water will flow?
2. Who has decided what path a thunderbolt will take?
3. Who causes the rain to fall in places where no man lives?
4. Who satisfies the thirsty ground with moisture?
5. Who causes the grass to grow?
6. What is the origin of rain – does it have a father?
7. Who has placed drops of morning dew on the lawn?
8. Where does ice come from?
9. Who hardens water when it is frozen?
10. Do you have the power to move the constellations in the heavens?
11. Do you have the strength to control Orion, Mazzaroth, or the Great Bear?
12. Have you ordained the movement of the stars?
13. Are you in charge over the earth?
14. Can you yell so loud at the clouds that they will cover you with rain?
15. Can you send out lighting and control it?
16. Who has put wisdom in your head?
17. Who has place understanding in your heart?
18. Who can measure the depth of wisdom?
19. Who causes the dirt of the ground to cling together and form clumps?
20. Can you provide the prey for the loin and satisfy their appetite?
21. Can you provide food for the raven and supply food for its young when they call out?
Who indeed is as mighty as this? The psalmist has rightly said:
“The heavens declare the glory of God; And the firmament shows His handiwork.” Psalms 19:1 (NKJV)
We as Christians do a disservice to God when we talk of “Mother Nature”. We should talk of “The Father of All Creation”.
