Explore the Bible: July 11

Power Displayed • Job 40:1-14

By Beth S. Bowman

My grandfather, John Henry Graham, did not have a lot of words. He was the epitome of the “strong, silent” type of man. He was the kind of man who took care of his wife, kids, and family and, oh, his words had power and authority when he did speak. I always leaned in to listen with equal amounts of excitement and apprehension, because my grandfather knew his own mind and was not afraid to speak it. When he did weigh in on a conversation, he had an opinion and his way was best.

The Lord’s challenge toward Job in this lesson is one worth noting for its authority. When the Lord speaks in this passage, it is with perfect authority and wisdom. The Lord asks Job a direct question: “Will you now challenge and correct me?” Job 40:2 (my paraphrase).

Even though in chapters 38 and 39 God taught Job all about His greatness and creation, God needed to remind Job that He was still God and that Job was still just a man! Was Job going to correct the Creator? Was Job’s wisdom more perfect than God’s? Were Job’s words more accurate than God’s? Hardly!

Job’s tone sharply changes as he comes to recognize that God is with Him. He has not been forsaken! Notice how humbly Job answers in verses 3-5 by stating that he was “vile” (KJV). The original meaning of this word is different from the one you may thinking.

When I think of vile, I think of something that is gross or evil or, maybe, gross and evil. The Hebrew word used here is qālal  (pronounced kaw-lal’), which means, “of little weight.” Compared to God’s greatness, Job really is vile by that definition; he is of little weight and importance.

Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bilad, Zophar, and even Elihu had not brought Job to realize his vileness (by the Hebrew definition) in comparison to God. God’s responses and interaction pushed Job toward humility. Job states, “I will put my hand over my mouth” Job 40: 4 (NIV).

This response, this withdrawal of words, is one of the most demonstrative actions we can make. Just be quiet in the presence of the Lord. Just stop and recognize the awesome, loving, strong presence 0f God.

Psalm 46:10 (NIV) reminds us of this: “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.”

God challenges Job to answer Him, “like a man.” The time for debate between Job and the others is coming to an end, and now Job is able to communicate directly with God! (Job 40:7).

In the last part of this lesson, God challenged the thinking of Job:

— Would Job set aside God’s judgement and lean on his own judgement?

— Would Job condemn God so that he could look good?

— Could Job match the strength God possessed and was demonstrating to him?

— Did God have the ability to speak like thunder, authority, and power?

If Job were equal to these tasks, then the answer is yes. He could be equal to God. However, Job did not do any of these things. Job could not save himself. Only God could save Job and only God knew the whole story.

My former pastor, Gary Maze, used an expression that perfectly sums up the truth about God when we begin to compare ourselves to Him: “There is a God. and you are NOT Him.”  Gary’s expression and this passage in Job are reminders to all of us that God’s power is so much greater than we can fathom.

Psalm 145: 5-7 (ESV) states it best: “On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.”

Job needed to be reminded not only of who God was at the time of this interaction, but prior to and after this encounter. Likewise, we certainly must be reminded that WE are not Him!

Bowman, a member of West Carthage Church, is a speaker/writer. She may be contacted at beth@bethbowman.net.