Job 38: God in the Storm
SURPRISE IS ONE thing you can count on when dealing with the living God. We have had thirty-seven chapters of gut-wrenching dialogue between Job and his friends, heart-rending prayers by Job to his elusive God, and life-and-death questions hurled by Job at God to make sense of the suffering of the innocent. Job, we think, deserves a comprehensive answer from the supreme Being of the universe. He gets a surprise. For four chapters God speaks in the whirlwind. This is no "still small voice" speaking. God is thundering. But what he thunders is more questions.
Warming Up to God
What experiences of God have led you to worship?
Read Job 38. »
Discovering the Word
- What common theme do all of God's questions have?
- Why does God emphasize that Job was not around when he created the world (vv. 4-7)?
- God lists more things that Job cannot do in verses 8-41. What kinds of things are under God's control?
- What purpose can God have in telling Job that God does things which no human being will ever appreciate or even see?
- What effect will all these questions have on Job's view of himself and of God?
Applying the Word
- Do you think that in every complaint against God there is an implicit revolt against our being creatures? Explain.
- Why do you think it is sometimes more important in our spiritual journey to get more questions than answers?
- How have questions helped you to grow spiritually?
Responding in Prayer
Thank God for allowing you to freely come to him with your questions.
For Further Study
Help Me Believe by Cliffe Knechtle