Jump Start # 138

Job 42:3 “Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” 

  This declaration from Job comes after God speaks to him. For thirty-four chapters, Job and his friends argue about the cause of suffering. These chapters are long, tedious and repetitive. Then God speaks. He doesn’t say anything to the friends, He speaks directly to Job. God doesn’t tell Job about the conversation He had with Satan. He doesn’t reveal that this is a test to see if man will still serve God. He doesn’t offer comfort. He doesn’t answer “why.” Instead, God asks questions. A bunch of questions. There are over sixty questions. God is challenging Job. If Job is going to question the activity and dealings of God, then he must be on the level to know and understand. So God asks. The questions are about the creative acts of God. He asks about the birth of mountain goats and of snow and such things. Job can’t answer these questions. No one can. I can’t. You can’t. There is a point to all of these questions. These are the “lay ups,” the easy ones. If man doesn’t understand about the depths of the sea, how can he understand the “big stuff” such as justice, fairness and the “how comes” of God.

  Job is stunned. Our verse shows that. He repeats his ignorance. He says, “without knowledge,” “I did not understand,” “I did not know.” Job is nearly speechless. He doesn’t have all the answers, but He knows God is great and God is not to be questioned. God is not accountable nor answerable to us. He is free to do what He wants, when He wants.

  I often wonder if we’ve forgotten the lesson here from Job. Something bad happens and folks scream, “Why God?” Do you expect Him to answer? Do you think you can handle His answer? More than that, why should He answer? He is God.

  The cotton candy theology of modern churches today makes God everyone’s buddy. He’s a good guy folks think. He’s on my side, I hear some declare. There is a song that talks about walking and talking and laughing with God. Best be careful with some of that. Let’s not forget who God is.

  I wonder if what is really behind much of this is just an uneasiness and a lack of understanding of who God is. At times He seems to bless us and love us. But then the storm clouds roll in and we ask, “Why God?” Has our view of God changed? Do we now doubt? This kind of thinking is found in the language of some prayers. Some nearly demand that God answer their prayer, right now. They are used to telling kids what to do. They tell co-workers what to do. And so, they tell God what to do. Sorry. He doesn’t jump when we tell Him to. He is God.

  Job got that. I don’t know if Job ever knew what all was happening. He may learn the truth in Heaven, but by then it really doesn’t matter. A lot of this stuff won’t matter then.

  Trust God. Know God. Love God. God is good. But understand, God is not answerable to you. It is the other way around.

Roger