The One Year® Chronological Bible, NKJV (Tyndale, 2013), January 30
The LORD rocks Job's world when He speaks directly to Job and simply reminds Job of the beginning of the story--Creation.
Through a comprehensive set of questions that Job cannot possibly answer, the LORD reduces Job to respond to Him in deep humility and speechlessness, "Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further" (Job 40:4-5).
The first set of questions demonstrates God's preeminence, power, and wisdom in creation. He begins with a tongue in cheek question, "Where were you?" (38:4-38). Men have tried their best for millennia to explain the earth's origins, but they, like Job, simply weren't there! Man cannot explain the vastness of the universe and how it all works; therefore, he is in no position to demand anything from God.
The second set of questions highlights God's creation of and provision for animal life: "Look at what I do" (38:39-39:30). The samples from the animal world demonstrate a wise Designer and Provider:
- Hunt of the lion-lions need no instruction from man or provision by man to take care of themselves.
- Food for the scavenger raven-God hears the cry of the young and provides.
- Reproduction of the goat and deer-God establishes the reproduction systems of animal life.
- Wildness of a donkey-some animals are made to thrive in the wilderness.
- Service of an ox-the strength of a wild ox may be tethered and used by man to do hard work.
- Limitations of an ostrich-the ostrich is the "dizzy blonde" of animal life-happily clueless and unintimidated by threats to her existence.
- Strength of a horse-the strength and fearlessness of a horse make him an asset in war.
- Flight and sight of the hawk-the intricate and light wing structure and keen eyesight enable the hawk to soar and see at great height.
The unknowns of creation and the sampling of animal life confront Job with his finite smallness. God asks, "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?" (40:2).
Wealth and prestige give men a false sense of greatness. Suffering brings them to their senses.
Question from today's reading (Job 39:1-40:5):
What aspects of God's creation does He use to cure Job of his self-pity?