“He speaks to the sun…” Job 9:7a

/

Job’s response to Bildad began with agreeing over God’s pattern of not rejecting the blameless man, withholding blessing from the wicked, and the hope of God’s future favor (read 8:21-22; 9:2). This reply reflects a noticeable change in Job’s perspective, which improved to being willing to consider the possibility of hope. Still filled with questions, Job asked how a mortal could be found righteous before God (v.2b). Understanding this precept allows one to grasp the fall of man after creation and the desperate need each of us have for a savior. Paul wrote to the church at Rome that all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory – there is none righteous; no, not even one (read Romans 3:10, 23-24).

God breathed into Job the eternal truths of man’s depravity and God’s omnipotence, seen in the disparate natures of God and man:

  • No one can stand before God and dispute with Him (v.3);

  • To resist God’s wisdom and power would be harmful (v.4);

  • God’s might is greater than the mountains (v.5);

  • Even the solid earth is no match to God’s might (v.6);

  • The sun and stars all depend on God’s direction to shine (v.7);

  • God “stretches-out” the heavens (v.8a; a remarkable observation of an expanding universe!);

  • God alone can tread upon the waves of the sea (v.8b; a prophetic look at the coming Messiah who walked upon the waters!);

  • God is The Creator of the constellations, held together by His hands (v.9);

  • God performs wonders and miracles that cannot be fathomed or counted (v.10);

  • Man is unable to perceive the nearness of an omnipresent God (v.11);

  • Death is an inevitable part of life and it is futile to question God’s purpose behind it (v.12);

  • God’s righteous anger reaches even the mightiest on earth (v.13).

Have you ever disputed with God? Did you get an answer? There have been times in my life when I have gone to some remote place, expressing my strongest opposition to my life situation, asking God what He was doing (at the top of my voice, I might add).  It didn’t change a thing. Perhaps reflecting on the nature and work of God would provide the confidence in God to work all things out for the good.

There is a process to grieving, which usually begins with denial and isolation, then moves to anger, followed by efforts to bargain with God; depression may come afterwards, with acceptance concluding the process. Though Job did still have questions, he was beginning to process the mysteries of God’s working. Perhaps the walls of resentment and anger were beginning to tumble, and Job may have been entering the bargaining stage.

Are you working through a period of great loss, or know someone who is? I hope this portion of Job’s story will allow you to process through the stages of grief more intentionally or help someone else do the same. God is there… ever so close. He knows the pain we are in and is working to show His compassion and care. If He can hold constellations together, trust Him to hold your life together, too.

Have a blessed day…