Job has heard from three of his friends and a young interloper. Job can't quite seem to decide if God is arbitrary or just cruel. The question plaguing him is, "why do the good suffer?"
As Elihu completes his speech, he notices a storm arriving from the north. God is in the storm, and He has come to speak...
Text: Job 38:1 - 42:6
The Lord comes to answer Job out of the storm. He said:
"Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand. (Job 38:1-4)
With these thoughts God begins his longest direct discourse in the Bible! Job and his friends must have been overwhelmed by hearing the Lord's voice from the storm. Everyone is stunned, as they listen in silence to the Lord.
This was not the first nor the last time in the Old Testament when God spoke directly to men. He spoke directly to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), Abraham (Genesis 12:1-3), Jacob (Genesis 32:24-30), Moses (Exodus 3), Elijah (1 Kings 19) and others.
The Almighty does not stop to argue with Job. Instead of meeting him with hostility, punishment and vengeance, God comes in love.
Though Job's friends condemned him, his Creator does not. Yes, the Lord will speak sternly with his servant; but nowhere will God imply that Job suffered because of his sins.
[continued...]
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