“Do you know the paths…?” Job 38:20b
/The questions just kept coming for Job. He didn’t even have a moment to catch his breath. God hammered away with the following questions:
What is the way to the abode of light?” (v.19a)
“And where does darkness reside?” (v.19b)
“Can you take them to their places?” (v.20a)
“Do you know the paths to their dwellings?” (v.20b)
Light and darkness were mysteries in Job’s day. Each carrying significant meaning: light for life; and darkness for death. These questions may actually be challenging Job’s understanding of both… and his complete incompetence to effect either. Only God is the author of life, and He is The One Who measures man’s days – assigning each his/her expiration date.
To make His point hit home, God prodded Job further with these words:
“Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (v.21)
Next to The Eternal One, any person becomes overshadowed by God’s infinite greatness. We are but dust in the wind. There is no one who was present at creation, and there is no one who comes near God’s existence – Who was, and is, and is to come. Old age in humanity is but a myth in the light of eternity. Discovery can mark one’s life from the cradle to the grave.
Humanity does try, however unsuccessfully, to trace the paths of one’s origin… perhaps in an attempt to prepare for walking through the valley of the shadow of death (read Psalm 23). Or perhaps in an attempt to make sense of just how one fits-in to the overall picture of humanity’s presence upon the earth.
Do you know the paths of life and death? You may be able to trace your lineage back one thousand years, and that alone would be quite an accomplishment. But what significance would it carry for humanity? How does one life make any real sense without understanding that life’s significance in the light of eternity? Jesus provided us the answer:
“I am The Resurrection and The Life. The one who believes in Me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in Me will never die.” (John 11:25-26)
Do you know the path to life beyond this life? Jesus gave us that answer, as well:
“I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No one comes to The Father except through Me.” (John 14:6)
He is The First and The Last… this life and the after-life all make sense when seen through the filter of God’s love and redemption through Jesus. Jesus is not only the path to eternal life; He’s the door one enters for the certainty of it! You can trust Him.
Have a blessed day…