Scripture:
Job 38:1-3:
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
4 Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.
Theme:
When God Speaks
Introduction:
This book is so called from Job, whose prosperity, afflictions, and restoration, are here recorded.
- He lived soon after Abraham, or perhaps before that patriarch.
- Most likely it was written by Job himself, and it is the most ancient book in existence.
- The instructions to be learned from the patience of Job, and from his trials, are as useful now, and as much needed as ever. We live under the same Providence, we have the same chastening Father, and there is the same need for correction unto righteousness.
- The fortitude and patience of Job, though not small, gave way in his severe troubles; but his faith was fixed upon the coming of his Redeemer, and this gave him steadfastness and constancy, though every other dependence, particularly the pride and boast of a self-righteous spirit, was tried and consumed.
- Another great doctrine of the faith, particularly set forth in the book of Job, is that of Providence.
At this point in the scripture, Job has spoken by questioning God and His presence during Job’s trials. Having heard nothing from God, himself, and having experienced all of his trials and tribulations, Job questioned God as to:
- Why was he being punished?
- Why was he sustained even in adversity?
- Job 7:17-18, “What is man, that thou shouldest magnify him? and that thou shouldest set thine heart upon him? And that thou shouldest visit him every morning, and try him every moment?”
- Why did he have to even be born?
- Job 3:11, “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?”
- Job 10:8, “Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.”
- Job 10:2, “I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.”
- Where is God?
- Job 23:3-4, “Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments.”
Body:
This scripture is the first instance in the Book of Job that God speaks to Job directly.
- When God speaks to Job, it is thirty-eight chapters later…riches later…a family later…servants later…livestock later…boils later….
- When God speaks to us, it is often a loved one later…some bills later…a hospital room later…a courtroom later…a friendship later…a tear later….
- He may not come when we want Him, but….
God speaks in answer to Job’s cries and questions:
- “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,”
The “whirlwind” biblically represents the mysterious yet awesome power of God’s presence and purpose. It is used 25 times in the bible and only in the Old Testament, BUT only in reference to God. A “whirlwind”, like God, is described as
- Confusing — Isaiah 55:8, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD.” — Sometimes the confusion is God’s silence!
- Destructive — Deuteronomy 6:15, “(For the LORD thy God is a jealous God among you) lest the anger of the LORD thy God be kindled against thee, and destroy thee from off the face of the earth.”
- Narrow rotation at the lowest section – As the hymn writer wrote, “His eye is on the sparrow, and I know he watches me.” The other hymn writer explains that, “He sits high and looks low.”
- Broad rotation at the highest section — Acts 7:49, “Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest?”
Therefore, God answered Job
- out of his confusion,
- instead of justifiably destroying him,
- showing Job personal attention, and
- establishing God’s sovereignty in Job’s life.
“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”
Job is accused of darkening the counsel, or Word, of God…in other words, covering up, overshadowing, tainting, belittling, or simply downplaying God’s Word. Job does so by comparing:
- God’s being from everlasting to everlasting, with his own time
- God’s knowledge of all things, with his own ignorance, and
- God’s almighty power, with his own weakness
“Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.”
- In Biblical societies, male and female clothing was similar in its being loose fitting and draping like a robe. The critical difference was that the male wore a rope or some material that gathered the garment around the waist (area of the loins) while women did not. Hence, the loins are “girded” “like a man”.
- God reminds Job of who Job is…a man…not God…not a god…just a creation of God.
- Know your role…Check yourself before you wreck yourself
- Then, God warns Job that God will ask and Job must answer!
- “Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?”
God establishes his sovereignty over Jobs finite existence.
Fact is, that God was here to make here a place to refer to. God gave somewhere some place where it can rest until a named location can be found. God began before the first beginning had begun to even begin. As Genesis 1:1 states, “In the beginning, GOD….”
“declare, if thou hast understanding.”
God gives this exclamation to accentuate the humor and futility in Jobs plea. The bible has often used the word “if” to impress upon the reader the critical irony of the information relayed.
- When Rebekah and Isaac wanted a child, Rebekah said to God in Genesis 25:22, “And the children struggled together within her; and she said, IF it be so, why am I thus?”
- When Satan came to Jesus to tempt (and taunt) Him, Satan said in Matthew 4:6, “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down:”
- When Jesus was on the cross, the people jeered in Luke 23:37, “And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.”
- When Jesus was on the cross, one of the criminals being crucified with Him said, “the Son of God, cast thyself down”.
Can’t you see God saying, “IF YOU KNOW BETTER THAN I DO, TELL ME!!”
Conclusion:
We can see from this scripture that:
- When God spoke, Job was brought to humility and reverential fear from the questions from God and their irrevocable answers.
- When God spoke, the confusion in Job’s life was brought to abrupt order.
- When God spoke, the words of the friends lost their prominence in Job’s mind.
- When God spoke, Job was suddenly selfless instead of selfish
- When God spoke, the issue went from “Do I know?” to “I know who holds the future and I know who watches me!”
As Revelations 2:7 says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches;”
HEAR YE HIM!! When God Speaks!!!
- When the song ministers to your soul
- When the sermon exposes your sin-sick soul
- When that child cries out for help
- When the problem is drowned in your tears
- When His peace abides
WHEN GOD SPEAKS!
- The drunk stops drinking
- The drug addict stops druggin’
- The liar stops lying
- The thief stops stealing
- The killer stops killing
- The whoremonger stops wandering
- The wayward child comes home
- The doctor finds the cancer in remission
- The judge upholds your truth as prevailing
- The supervisor supports you instead of hinders you
WHEN GOD SPEAKS!
- We talk right
- We see right
- We live right
- We walk right
- We think right
- We sing right
- We preach right
- We pray right
- We love right
WHEN GOD SPEAKS!
- He spoke and there was light
- He spoke and the waters subsided to let the ark rest on Mt. Ararat
- He spoke and the Red Sea parted to let the children of Israel walk through on dry land
- He spoke and dry bones lived
- He spoke and Lazarus came forth
- He spoke and moon dripped down in blood
- He spoke and the sun refused to shine
- He spoke and the earth reeled and rocked like a drunk man
- He spoke and the stone was rolled away from the tomb
- He spoke and said that “All Power”…”All Power”…”All Power” was in His hand!
WHEN GOD SPEAKS!
His children listen!
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