Reading
- Job 38:1-42:17
Devotional
In an awesome conclusion to the book of Job, GOD speaks to Job out of the windstorm for the purpose of reminding Job of his proper place before GOD. GOD asks Job question after question, none of which Job is able to answer. Only GOD has the knowledge or power to answer these questions. There are numerous mysteries included within these chapters as GOD speaks His wisdom to Job. For example, did you know that GOD has commanded boundaries for the seas which prevents the waves from going farther? Or that GOD has storehouses of snow and hail? Did you know that GOD sends forth lightning bolts and they report back to Him? It seems that every verse in these chapters reveals some great truth or wisdom that makes you say, "Wow! I didn't know that!"
As we would (or should) expect, Job is nearly speechless when GOD takes a pause in His "lesson" to Job.
1 The LORD said to Job: 2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!” 3 Then Job answered the LORD: 4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more.”
(Job 41:1-5 NIV)
But GOD's not done instructing Job yet. GOD goes right back to questioning him:
6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: 7 “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me. 8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself? 9 Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his? 10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty. 11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low, 12 look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand. 13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave. 14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
(Job 41:1-14 NIV)
Now GOD's schooling for Job is over.
1 Then Job replied to the LORD: 2 “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. 4 “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ 5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. 6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
(Job 42:1-6 NIV)
After this, GOD then turned His correction towards Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. GOD was displeased at how they had spoken toward Job and about GOD. He told them to offer sacrifices and have Job pray for them and GOD would accept Job's prayer, which they did. After these things GOD blessed Job's life once again. He gave Job twice as much as he had before. He had 7 more sons and 3 daughters. Job lived 140 more years after this and saw his children to the fourth generation.
As far as we know it was never revealed to Job before he died why he suffered so much or that his suffering had come as a result of GOD recognizing his righteousness and Satan challenging Job's motivation for his devotion to GOD. As is the case in all of our lives, we never know all the reasons that things happen. There are hidden things which belong to GOD that will not be revealed to us—at least not in this life. It is not our responsibility to understand all that happens to us. Instead, our job is to rely upon GOD at all times, during the good and bad days, and trust completely that He loves us and wants what is best for us. As we conclude our thoughts on the book of Job, let's consider how GOD feels towards us by looking at a verse from Romans:
28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.
(Rom. 8:28 NASB)
