WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?
- Key Verse
"The Lord said to Job: 'Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!'" (Job 40:1-2)
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Central Truth
We may be tempted to question God about the events or non-events in our life, but it comes down to our arrogance when we do not trust our sovereign God.
Reflections
This is the second part of God's rebuke of Job. In previous chapters, Job has been busy running his mouth, questioning God's sovereignty and saying that he was being unjustifiably abused. He demanded that God speak to him. Job got a response, but this time it was God asking the questions, not Job. Job realized for the first time that he needed to shut his mouth.
God challenges Job in verse 2, "will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!" Job melts. He is humbled before the Lord and realizes that his previous words were foolish. Job takes himself out of the equation for the first time in the story. Even in Job's Chapter 29 glory days, he is thinking of himself. But now Job is repentant, and he views himself differently. When we are aware of our sinfulness, we don't try to justify ourselves before God.
In verse 6, God is speaking from out of the storm, "Brace yourself like a man." Oh my goodness, I love that line! God is telling Job to be prepared, saying "you WILL hear what I have to say." Job isn't going through trials because he is unrighteous. Instead, he lacks an understanding of God. How many times do we question the ways of God because we can't see beyond ourselves and what we want?
God continues in verses 15 into chapter 41 with the recounting of mighty and feared animals. Job is now in a position to hear what he is not, which is all powerful. When Job contended with God, he equated himself with God (10:2 and 23:6). I can't help but wonder if God was giving Satan something to think about, for the issue of Satan's fall was his desire for equality with God. What an amazing testament to God's glory that a mere man can err in pride, yet be allowed to commune with God in the end.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you questioned God before? How does it compare to Job?2. What is your expectation of God to "act" or "voice" His presence in your life? How do you react when He is silent?
3. Obviously we need to be humbled before God, but how are you humbled before those in your life when you have been wronged?
4. Have you ever wanted something so badly that you absorbed yourself in that desire and missed what God was doing in your life?
Mark Sutton
April 23, 2010 06:05 AM
Holly, Thanks for your thoughts on Job this morning. The Lord wants to me to pursue him with all my heart and to focus on His desires. He will make clear what he is doing in my life in His time.
David Redding
April 23, 2010 09:51 AM
Wow, that is some powerful scripture! I'm trying to picture what "Brace yourself like a man" looks like. I would think it would be a low fighting stance to keep Job from falling over. One buddy suggested it was likely a fetal position - who knows, it shows that Job would need to be prepared to hear what God had to say. I personally don't think there is a stance or position that would have given Job any protection from the questioning that he received. God demands and answer, but what response could he give? Zero, Zilch, Nada - he's got nothing. Based on the lashing that God gives Job, maybe the best response would have been, "Thanks you sir, may I have another"! Lord, please help me to be at perfect peace in the knowledge that you are totally in control and I am nothing without you.
Barbara Parkhurst
April 26, 2010 09:33 PM
Wonderful, devo! I loved your line: "Job isn't going through trials because he is unrighteous. Instead, he lacks an understanding of God." Yes, well put.