The Lord Speaks (User Submitted)

Submitted by Radar


Job 38:1-7 - The Holy Bible : New International Version. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996.

The Lord Speaks

38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm. He said:

2 “Who is this that darkens my counsel

with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man;

I will question you,

and you shall answer me.

4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?

Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!

Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,

or who laid its cornerstone—

7 while the morning stars sang together

and all the angels shouted for

joy?


While Job was not commanded to make a sacrifice for sin, his insistence on bringing his case before God was presumptuous. He wanted to declare his innocence before God and be given an explanation for the events and trials in his life.

Then God answered. I doubt Job expected God to respond, much less the manner of response. God did not begin with reasons or an invitation for Job’s defense. God demanded answers from Job.

He begins by telling Job that man cannot match wits or knowledge with God. Job has brought darkness to God’s purpose. He has refused to see God and God’s plan in the proper light. God underscores Job’s ignorance by asking questions that no man can answer.

These questions continue for several chapters. God reminds Job of how small man is and how big God is. Job needed the reminder. And so do we.

When life’s troubles visit our door, our first response is to cry out “why!” and demand a reason from a sovereign God. Would the answer really make the trouble better? Rather than ask why, Job learns that sometimes God himself and a right relationship is the only answer we get. And the only answer we need.

Job reviews God’s charges in chapter 42, and he repents of his attitude. He tells God that while he had heard of God, now he has seen God in the proper light. Job now envisions God to be as big as He really is. Job repents and relies on God to be, well, to be God.

Even when trouble crashes down on us, we can rest in the knowledge that God is big enough, is good enough, and strong enough to see us through. Next time life tosses a problem your way, let your relationship with God see you through.

Believe it or not, the trouble will go away. God and the eternal reward that He has promised His children will never go away. Put your trust in the Lord.