Yahweh Educates Job - Chapters 38:1-42:6
Introduction
The LORD finally speaks; an event that Job had requested on a
number of occasions. He wanted God to show him where he had sinned if, in fact,
he had inadvertently done so (10:2). He desired that God should speak to
deliver His verdict that Job was innocent of the accusations made against him by
his friends (23:3-12, 31:35-40). He called for an audience with God that he
might argue his case with Him (13:3,22). No such responses were
forthcoming.
Instead, Yahweh answers Job's questions with a deluge of
counter-questions. He picks Job up out of his small world and spreads out
before Job the vast world created by the Deity Job had presumed to question.
God does not explain the cause of Job's suffering nor does He reveal the litany
of sins Job had committed. In both instances such information was not needed.
Job's problems were shown to be minute in the overall scale of things, and God's
reluctance to list Job's sins was sufficient proof that such was not required.
To do so would have added substance to the theory of exact retribution that was
so dogmatically espoused by the three friends. The reason that the cause of
Job's suffering remains unrevealed is that it is irrelevant. However, the
process of Job's sufferings is instructional, while the outcomes of Job's
sufferings incisively declare God's righteousness.
The purpose of Yahweh's response was to complete the education
of Job that Elihu had commenced, with all its value and his imperfections. Job
is led out into the world and compelled to discover the majesty and power of God
in the works of His creation. Job's knowledge of God and himself (an axiomatic
Biblical experience as progress in understanding God will inevitably lead to a
more accurate self-awareness) was advanced to such a degree that he is able to
exclaim in the end, "Now mine eye seeth thee" (42:5).
Simply put, the more the LORD speaks, the smaller Job becomes
in his own sight. Conversely, the greater Yahweh becomes in Job's sight. It is
not a process of humiliation, whereby Job is ridiculed and mocked. It is a
process of humbling, whereby Job is educated, matured and liberated from an
unhealthy self-focus.
The key verse which helps us to understand why the LORD
responded to Job the way He did is 40:8 -
"Would you indeed annul My judgment?
Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?"
(NKJV).
This is one of two places (see also 40:2) where Yahweh appears
to directly accuse Job. Instead of the barrage of blunt charges laid against
Job by his fellows, including Elihu, the LORD deftly weaves Job's opinions into
His expressions. Job is crushed by the perspicacity and profundity of Yahweh's
unimpeachable words. He is made to realise that salvation is of Yahweh, and of
Him only.
This realisation, which emphasises the power of God to save
through His grace, was the only plausible response to the LORD's premier
challenge wherein He ironically invited Job to assume the necessary attributes
to rule the world himself:
"Do you have an arm like God's, and can your voice
thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendour, and clothe
yourself in honour and majesty.
Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man
and bring him low,
look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked
where they stand.
Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces
in the grave.
Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand
can save you"
(40:9-14
NIV).
Despite all the excellencies of Job's character, he was unable
to save himself. His liberation from self-focus in 42:6 saw him seek the
salvation of his friends. "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he
prayed for his friends" (42:10).
The structure of this fourth section of the Book of Job is
straightforward. The expressions of the Almighty are contained in two distinct
speeches. The first (38:1-40:2) sets before Job the wonders of nature, both
animate and inanimate. Yahweh's rapid-fire questions leave no doubt in Job that
it is absurd to challenge God (40:3-5). However, Job had declared God to be
unjust in His dealings with him. Therefore, the second speech of the LORD
(40:6-41:34) expounds the justice and power of God in a way that leaves Job
educated to such a profound level that he willingly repents in dust and ashes
(42:1-6). The great man Job emerges from his ordeal an even greater
man.
The Book's Epilogue (42:7-17) exposes the wonderful outcomes
of Job's divine education and his enhanced self-awareness.
