God’s Closing Challenge to Job
August 27, 2021
Commentary
The great question becomes this: Do I want justice or mercy? Job finally received what he had long desired—the chance to speak with God and defend his case (vv. 1–2). Yet when the moment arrived, Job had nothing to say in his own defense. He confessed, “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth” (vv. 3–4). He realized how small and unworthy he truly was before the Almighty. Earlier, he had strongly defended his integrity and questioned God’s ways. Now his attitude changed completely in that humbling moment. The man who once spoke boldly chose silence. He admitted he had spoken once, even twice, but would speak no more (v. 5). When we continue to argue with God, it becomes difficult for Him to accomplish His purpose in our lives and shape our character through trials. Life may not always seem fair, but God’s wisdom is always perfect, and His plans remain completely trustworthy in any situation.
God’s second response, like the first, came out of the whirlwind (v. 6). The earlier speech challenged Job’s limited knowledge. Now God addresses Job’s doubts about His justice (vv. 7–8). Job had wondered if God ruled the world unfairly and failed to judge evil. So God asks him a direct question: “Hast thou an arm like God?” (v. 9). If Job truly has the strength and authority to judge sinners, then he should begin that work himself (vv. 9–14). But first, he must face the powerful creatures of creation. God points to the mighty behemoth (vv. 15–24), a creature strong and fearless, far beyond ordinary human strength. If Job could control such a beast, then perhaps he could claim the authority to judge the world. Through this challenge, God reminds Job that divine power and justice belong to Him alone.
Application
Do I demand justice, or do I humbly receive God’s mercy? When life feels unfair, should I question God or trust His wisdom? Like Job, I must learn when to be silent before the Lord. Am I allowing God to shape my heart through every trial? I will remember that His power, justice, and plans are always right, even when I do not understand them.
Job 40:1–24 (NET)
1 Then the Lord answered Job:
2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let the person who accuses God give him an answer!”
3 Then Job answered the Lord:
4 “Indeed, I am completely unworthy —how could I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth to silence myself.
5 I have spoken once, but I cannot answer; twice, but I will say no more.”
6 Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
7 “Get ready for a difficult task like a man. I will question you and you will inform me.
8 Would you indeed annul my justice? Would you declare me guilty so that you might be right?
9 Do you have an arm as powerful as God’s, and can you thunder with a voice like his?
10 Adorn yourself, then, with majesty and excellency, and clothe yourself with glory and honor.
11 Scatter abroad the abundance of your anger. Look at every proud man and bring him low;
12 Look at every proud man and abase him; crush the wicked on the spot.
13 Hide them in the dust together, imprison them in the grave.
14 Then I myself will acknowledge to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 “Look now at Behemoth, which I made as I made you; it eats grass like the ox.
16 Look at its strength in its loins, and its power in the muscles of its belly.
17 It makes its tail stiff like a cedar, the sinews of its thighs are tightly wound.
18 Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like bars of iron.
19 It ranks first among the works of God, the One who made it has furnished it with a sword.
20 For the hills bring it food, where all the wild animals play.
21 Under the lotus trees it lies, in the secrecy of the reeds and the marsh.
22 The lotus trees conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream conceal it.
23 If the river rages, it is not disturbed, it is secure, though the Jordan should surge up to its mouth.
24 Can anyone catch it by its eyes, or pierce its nose with a snare?
Socialist Confronts Carnegie About Having Too Much Money
A socialist once came to see Andrew Carnegie and soon was railing against the injustice of Carnegie having so much money. In his view, wealth was meant to be divided equally. Carnegie asked his secretary for an assessment of everything he owned an … Continue