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February 26 Daily Devotional

Three Questions

Peter G. Feenstra

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind (Job 38:1)

Bible Reading

Job 38:1–18

Devotional

The LORD does not leave Job suffering or grovelling in endless misery. The precise wording of verse 1 is noteworthy. We do not read, “Then the Lord said to Job out of the whirlwind,” but, “Then the Lord answered Job.” The Lord did not stand at a distance but He heard everything that was said. He answers all these speeches in His own unique way, putting to shame the three friends of Job. They argued that Job would not receive any answer from the Lord as long he harboured sin in his heart (5:1; 11:5-6).

The Lord’s answer does not provide Job with a detailed account of what took place in heaven; it does not provide an explanation for Job’s suffering. It almost seems as if the Lord is content to talk about the weather! He talks about rain and snow, about animal behaviour and nature, but He says nothing about Job’s suffering. God does not enter the scene as the fifth or sixth speaker in a debate. He answers, not to defend His actions, but to teach and discipline Job.

In answering Job the Lord asks three main questions. The first question is, “Who are you?” The second is, “Where were you?” And the third question is, “Are you able?” God asks, “Who is this that darkens my counsel by words without knowledge? (38:2) Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, constructed it, and brought it into existence? (4-7) Are you able to bring forth the dawn and the morning light?” (12-15) God intention with these questions is to bring Job to his knees. He wants him to respond, “Lord, I am nothing, I was not there, and I am not able.”

God speaks to Job about the marvel of His creation and providence. We cannot adequately explain the mystery of a snowflake, wind, or climate. No one can command an eagle to soar or a gazelle to run. The Lord has His own reasons for looking after His creatures in the way He does. The same must be said of God’s ways with us. The Lord does not always give (or need to give) an explanation for why things happen the way they do. He is not obliged to answer all of our questions or to explain all of His actions. Rather than let negative circumstances devastate us, drive us to despair or cause us to challenge God’s ways, let us trust that He will fulfil the promises He has made with us. His care extends to every aspect of our lives and He will answer us in His own sovereign way!

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