God Reveals His Omnipotence to Job

Job 38:1–24
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A good teacher begins where the student is and moves to where he wants to bring him. Notice that God begins with Job right where they left off in nature. A storm is coming up, and He breaks in as the Creator. Out of the whirlwind, God speaks (v. 1). He probably did this because man couldn’t survive a face to face confrontation with Him. He suggested that He had a purpose in Job’s afflictions, even though Job had misinterpreted the reason (v. 2). God’s address to Job is centered on His works in nature, and consists of seventy-seven questions interspersed with divine comments relating to the questions. The  purpose of this interrogation was to make Job realize his  inadequacy to meet God as an equal and defend his cause. Job thought he knew about God, he didn’t realize how much he didn’t know.

The first series of questions deals with God’s power and wisdom in bringing the universe into being (vv. 1-38). He asks if Job can explain His creation of the earth. He compares Himself to a builder who surveys the site, marks off the dimensions, pours the footings, lays the cornerstone, and erects the structure (vv. 3-7). He then moves to a consideration of the seas and who made these (vv. 8-11). The next aspect of creation mentioned is the sun (vv. 12-15). The next eleven questions relate to the vast dimensions of creation (vv. 16-24). He inquires about Job’s experience with the abode of the deep and his knowledge of Sheol (vv. 16-17). Did he know how far down he had to go to find the ocean’s floor? (The record measured so far is 6.78 miles). God asked Job if he could calculate the reaches of the east and west (v. 18) or if he understood the heights where snow and hail are stored until God needs them (vv. 22-23), or the places where God keeps His lightening and winds (v. 24).

Application

Knowledge of my own ignorance is the first step toward true wisdom. Rather than asking God to justify or even explain His actions, I need to trust Him, whether I can understand His actions or not.