Read Job 38—41
Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.
Job 38:1
We prefer that God speak to us in the sunshine, but sometimes He
must speak out of the storm. God’s address to Job centered on His
works in nature and consisted of seventy-seven questions interspersed
with divine commentary relating to the questions. The whole purpose
of this interrogation was to make Job realize his own inadequacy and
inability to meet God as an equal and defend his cause.
“Summon me and I will answer,” Job had challenged God, “or let
me speak, and you reply” (13:22). God had now responded to Job’s
challenge.
Job was sure that his speeches had been filled with wisdom and
knowledge, but God’s first question put an end to that delusion:
“Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (38:2). The Living Bible paraphrases it, “Why are you using
your ignorance to deny my providence?” God didn’t question Job’s
integrity or sincerity; He only questioned Job’s ability to explain the
ways of God in the world. Job thought he knew about God, but he
didn’t realize how much he didn’t know about God. Knowledge of our
own ignorance is the first step toward true wisdom.
Something to Ponder
If “knowledge of our own ignorance is the first step toward true wisdom,” have you taken a giant step, a medium step, or a baby step?
Explain.