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God in the book of Job
God in the book of Job
The opening scene in heaven shows God on the throne, God interacting with His creation, His control over Satan, AND His knowledge of His people. What I find interesting to contemplate is what the people of Job's day knew about God. The book is set in the patriarchal period. Other than the first 11 chapters of Genesis, we have little record of what God revealed of himself unto mankind. Humanity is often portrayed as ignorant and clueless concerning God, but that is NOT the picture we see in Job. The book of Job adds some interesting background to Paul's scathing rebuke of the world in Romans: "For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse" (Romans 1:18–20). While these men in Job make some mistakes in understanding how God was interacting with people, they did understand a great deal about the wisdom, power, and being of God. Here is a partial list of such thinking:
Job 5:8-17 (continues for the rest of the chapter) - Eliphaz first speech: God's providence over both nature and man, especially His people. Notice that Paul quotes part of this concerning God's wisdom in 1Cor. 3:19.
Job 8:3-7 - Bildad's 1st speech: God is Just and Righteous -
Job 8:20-22 – God accepts the blameless man, He will NOT 'take the hand' of evildoers.
Job 9:2-13 - Job's reply: God's great power over all of creation - and hence over man.
Job 11:5-11 - Zophar's speech; God's great wisdom - (yet, misapplied in connection with Job's suffering, vs. 6)
Job 12:13-25 - Job's reply: wisdom, might, control over creation - and mankind.
Job 25:1-6 - Bildad's last reply: God is PURE, man is NOT (calls a maggot, a worm).
Job 26:6-14 - Job's reply: God's greatness is seen in His creation of things.
Job 28:12-28 Job continues: Wisdom is with God.
Job 34:10-12 - Elihu's 'answer': God NOT DO WICKED or WRONG - righteous / just in judgment.
Job 36:5-16 - Elihu continues: God is against the wicked and godless – (yet again misapplied towards Job's situation - vs. 17f).
Job 37:1-13 - Elihu continues: Notes God's power and majesty over creation.
Job 37:14-18 - The great questions about God that show his wisdom and knowledge far surpass that of humanity.
Job 37:22-24 - conclusion
22 Out of the north comes golden splendor;
God is clothed with awesome majesty.
23 The Almighty—we cannot find him;
he is great in power;
justice and abundant righteousness he will not violate.
24 Therefore men fear him;
he does not regard any who are wise in their own conceit.”
Then there are the great speeches of God to Job - ch. 38.
Hence, we see the answer to Satan's early challenge: "Does Job fear God for nothing?" (1:9). Will man acknowledge God and worship Him even when there seems to be no reward for it? Will Job continue to worship God when life falls apart? Is God worthy of our honor, respect, and fear? The book of Job answers with a resounding "YES". The more immediate question: is that how YOU comprehend God?
Hugh DeLong
