The Revelation of God to Job
“The Lord hath His way in the whirlwind and in the storm, and the clouds are the dust of His feet.’’ — Nah. i. 3. “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind.” — Chap. xxxoviit. 1.
HE terrific storm has subsided. The thunder has ceased to roar and the lightning to flash in the darkened sky, which has been dense as a molten mirror.
The wind has passed and cleansed the skies. In the north is ‘‘ golden splendour” so intense and bright that Elihu points to it with the words, ‘‘ God hath upon Him terrible majesty”’
A hush falls upon the group on the ash-mound as they gaze upon all this sublime beauty, a very glimpse, as it were, of the glory within the veil, and of Him Who dwelleth in light unapproachable, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Job had said to Jehovah, ‘‘ Call Thou and I will answer’ and now the Lord will take him at his word. Out of the whirlwind there comes a voice — the voice of God.
Was it but a “‘ sound of gentle stillness ’’, such as the voice which spake to Elijah in after days?
When Elijah heard it he “hid his face’’. Even so must Job have bowed before the Lord.
Did the “friends”? hear it as well as Job, or did it only penetrate to the inner hearing of his heart? We cannot tell. We only know that Jehovah spake to His servant, and made Himself known to him.
“* Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?” were the first words that met Job’s ear. Job had said that in early days the ‘counsel of God” had been in his tent, but he is now told that he had ‘‘ darkened’, or brought a veil over, that “‘ counsel ’’ by his multitude of words.
‘“Who is this?’ demands Jehovah. Is this My servant whom I called true, upright, blameless and godly? Job know thyself, who art thou, what art thou after all but a finite man?
The strengthening of Job *Gird up now thy loins like a man... answer thou Me.”
—Chap. xxxviti. 3, A.V.:
Job has been lying upon the ash-mound in dumb misery ever since his attempt at self-vindication. For ‘ anguish of spirit’ he has not been able to respond to the message of deliverance by Elihu; he has been too crushed to answer him one word.
The All-wise Lord knows that a wounded spirit none can raise up but God Himself. He therefore speaks to the stricken Job, and bids him gird up his loins like a man.
*“Come Job, rouse yourself, and give Me your attention. Fix your mind upon the questions I ask you, and answer Me,”’ are the words in effect addressed to the prostrate man.
No word from the mouth of God is void of power; so we may well believe that the needed strength was conveyed to Job, and he was set upon his feet, prepared to hearken to the voice of God, and made ready for the wondrous revelation which the Lord vouchsafed to him.
Even thus did the Lord deal with His servant Ezekiel, when he fell upon his face at the vision of the Man upon the Throne. ‘‘ Stand upon thy feet, and I will speak with thee,” said Jehovah, and with the word the Spirit entered into him and set him upon his feet, strengthened to bear the interview with the Eternal God.
Again it is written of Daniel that his face was set toward the ground in dumb helplessness, before the Man with the eyes of fire, Who spake to him, and he was not able to hearken to His voice until the hand touched him, when he said, ‘ Let my Lord speak; for Thou hast strengthened me”’.
The Lord does not repeat to the now strengthened Job the message sent him by the mouth of Elihu. The way of deliverance through the Ransom has been told him; the interpretation of God’s dealings with him has been given. It is not further teaching that Job needs, but a direct interview with God. Such a revelation of Jehovah as will bring him to the dust, and give him a glimpse into the heart of Him Who has placed him in the crucible.
The Voice from the Throne
“Where wast thou? ... Hast thou? ... Canst thou?.. Knowest thou? ... Wilt thou?” — Chap. xxxvtit. 4, 12, 31, 33, 39- Having strengthened Job to hear His words, the Lord
addresses him with direct questions as, in beauty of language that has no parallel, He outlines before him in brief and vivid word-pictures, His mighty power in heaven and upon earth, making His glory to pass before the eyes of His servant, even as He did to Moses when He proclaimed before him, “a God full of compassion and gracious... plenteous in mercy and truth ’’.
“WHERE wast THou when I laid+the foundations of the earth?” — Chap. xxxviil. 4-7.
The Lord’s first words put Job into his right place, as a creature before his Creator.
Job had said to Zophar, ‘‘ I have understanding as well as you”’, when he resented being taught by his friends what he felt he knew even better than they; but his wisdom is quickly brought to nought by the first question of Jehovah.
If he had “‘ understanding”’ let him declare to his Creator the mystery of his own being. Where was he at the creation of the earth? Who had determined its measures? Could he tell whereupon its foundations were fastened? Did he know who laid the corner stone thereof, in the midst of all the company of heaven?
If Job’s wisdom was not able to fathom these things, how could he understand the mystery of his own creation, and, as a finite creature, fathom the dealings of God with him?
“Wuo shut up the sea with doors... prescribed for it My boundary ... and said... NO further? — Chap. xxxviii. 8-11, m.
If Jehovah had shut up the mighty sea within the boundary of His will, and was able to say to the foaming waters, ‘‘ Here shall thy proud waves be stayed ’’, had not the same Lord supreme control over the swelling of Jordan? Had He not prescribed the boundary line for Job’s sorrows, and could He not say No further’’ to the rabble of evil doers, who, Job had said, were overwhelming him ‘“‘ as a wide breaking in of waters”?
“Hast THou commanded the morning... caused the dayspring to...
and
take hold of... the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it... broken.’ — Chap. xxxviii. 12-15.
If Jehovah could clothe the earth with light by the breaking 126
a Tit Y forth of the morning, so that it is changed as clay takes the impress of the seal (v. 14), could He not as rapidly speak the word, and bring forth His servant out of his darkness into the light of the Resurrection day? Could He not cause the light to ‘‘ take hold’ of him, so that the wicked hosts around him should be dispersed with their power broken, and his life changed and marked with the impress of God, as clay under a seal?
“Hast Tuou entered into the springs of the sea [ and] the recesses of the deep... Hast thou seen the gates of the shadow of death? ’’ — Chap. XXXVili. 16, 17.
If Job could not see the springs of the mighty ocean, nor have access to the recesses of the deep; if he could not discern the shadows of death, nor perceive the gates — or turning-point — hbetween life and death, how could he understand the springs within his own being, and know the recesses of his own heart? He had talked of drawing near to the land of the shadow of death, but they had been words without knowledge — Jehovah alone could deal with the springs of life, lay bare the recesses of the deep of his being, and control the gates of death.
“* Hast TuHou comprehended the breadth of the earth... the way to the dwelling of light, {and the] darkness? ’’ — Chap. xxxviii. 18-21.
Doubtless thou knowest!’’ said Jehovah to His listening servant, gently pressing upon him with loving irony the folly of questioning the actions of such a God. If Job could not discern the paths of light and darkness (v. 20), how could he comprehend the way in which he himself should be led to Him Who is the dwelling of light to all of His redeemed?
“Hast Txou entered the treasuries of the snow [and the] hail... reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war?”’ — Chap. xxxviii. 22, 23.
Did Job know the resources of Jehovah? He had said that there was a warfare appointed to man upon the earth, but did he understand aught of the conflict in the unseen realms, and know the forces reserved by the Lord, as a man of war, against the day of battle?
The words of the Lord give a glimpse into a conflict in the unseen realms which has lasted for ages, and of which the climax only is shown when the veil is lifted in the book of Revelation, when the ‘“‘ war in heaven’? between Michael and his angels, and the Devil with his hosts of darkness, is disclosed.
The stormy wind, the ‘“‘ flame of a devouring fire”, with crashing and tempest, and hail stones, are spoken of in other parts of Scripture as used by the Lord in the day of battle; and Daniel speaks of a “‘ teme of trouble, such as never was”, coming upon the earth. At that time it shall be said “the Lord hath opened His armoury, and hath brought forth the weapons of His indignation”’.
Did Job not know that Jehovah had infinite resources for aiding him in the warfare appointed to him? and He was better able to deal with the ‘‘ indictment” written against him by his Adversary than Job himself!
“Wuo hath cleft a channel for the waterflood?”’ Who parts the rays of light; controls the east wind; directs the way of the lightning, and commands the rain to fall upon the desolate land to satisfy its needs, and cause the tender grass to spring forth? From what source comes the rain; the drops of dew; the ice; the hoary frost of heaven and the waters congealed like stone when the Sace Hs the deep cohereth — Chap. xxxvill. 24-30. (See marginal readings.
If Jehovah commanded the forces of nature, and directed the wind and the rain to fulfil each its part in meeting the thirst of the earth, and causing the tender green grass to spring forth to cover it with beauty; surely the same Lord would control all the forces around His servant Job, so that in the end his need should be satisfied, and his life spring forth again in power.
“Canst Tuou”’ bind, loose, lead forth and guide the stars in their courses? Canst thou establish the ordinances of the heavens; command the clouds; send forth lightnings; put wisdom in the dark clouds; give understanding to the meteor; number the clouds; and pour out the bottles of neaven until the clods of earth cleave fast together. — Chap. xxxviii. 31-38. (See margins.)
It was well that Job had been strengthened by the empowering word of Jehovah ere He further spake with him, for the mind of finite man might well be overwhelmed with the majesty of the themes, and the rapidly outlined pictures of the All-powerful Lord.
The earth founded in space; the restless ocean shut in within the boundary of His will; the dayspring clothing the earth as a garment; the recesses of the deep laid bare before His eyes; the knowledge of the mysterious gates of death; the resources in the treasuries of hail and snow; the control of waterflood, wind and rain; the breathing upon the waters for the formation of frost and ice; and.the leading and guiding of the planets of heaven, as if they were but trifles in His hand,
None but the Sovereign Lord of heaven and earth could thus summarize, with masterly ease, the forces at His command; and point to light and darkness, wind and rain, hail and snow, as a Master Workman points to the instruments with which he fulfils his will.
“Witt Tuou ... satisfy the appetite of the young lions? Who provideth for the raven his food when his young ones cry unto God?” — Chap. xxxviti. 39-41.
Let Job turn from the starry heavens, so vast and wonderful, and think even of the dumb creation. Who provideth for their needs? Did Jehovah create them, and then neglect them? He had placed in them their instincts and their appetites, and when the young ravens cry for food, it was a cry unto God, and their Creator was not oblivious of their need.
If the Lord thus watched over His dumb creation, surely He would not fail to heed the cry of His servant Job. The desire of his soul for God should certainly be satisfied. Did Job not know that it was the instinct of all creatures to provide for the need of their young — how much more does the great Fatherheart of God respond to the soul that has its life from Himself, saying, ‘“‘ J have made, and I will bear, even I will carry and deliver you”’.
““Knowest THou the time when the wild goats... bring forth... Canst thou number the months that they fulful? °’ — Chap. xxxix. I-4.
It is written that it is not for man to know times and seasons which the Father hath set within His own authority. Even so the moment of birth and death for man and beast knoweth no man, but the Father only.
Job had cried for deliverance from the travail he was in, but Jehovah alone knew the hour when his warfare would be accomplished; the moment when his sorrows would be over, and he would emerge once more into the light of God.
“Woo hath sent out the wild ass free,” loosed his bands so that he scorneth the tumult of the city? He is deaf to the voice of the taskmaster and his range is the mountains. Will these free creatures be slaves? Will they obey any voice but Mine? Can they be bound or made to follow after man ? — Chap. XXXIX. 5-12.
Oh glorious freedom given to the wild creatures whose range is the mountains! ‘They are free by the instincts of the life within them, and cannot be bound by the will of men.
“Even so, Job, will I loose thee from thy bonds, and bring thee out of the furnace into a fuller life in union with Myself; when thy service to Me shall again be the glad spontaneous outcome of that life within. Thy range shall be upon the mountains, thy pasture shall be found in the mount of God (v. 8); thou shall be free indeed.”
The sympathy of Jehovah with the work of His hands in the dumb creation, is shown in His response to their cry for food; His noting of their sorrows in the hour of travail; and His pleasure in the freedom of the wild creatures He has made.
The Lord will shew Job yet other examples of His workmanship, that he might not fail to understand the infinite resources and wisdom of God.
The Ostrich
“* God hath deprived her of wisdom [yet] what time she rouseth herself up to flight, she scorneth the horse and his rider.” — Chap. xxxix. 13-18, m.
The Horse “Hast thou given the horse his might... he rejoiceth in his strength... he mocketh at fear, and is not dismayed ... he swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage.’’ — Chap. xxxix. 19-25. The Hawk and the Eagle Doth the hawk soar by thy wisdom?... Doth the eagle mount
up at thy command, and make her nest on high? ’’ — Chap. xxxix. 26-30.
Let Job ponder over the workmanship of God in these creatures, each fitted for its own sphere and to fulfil the purpose of its creation.
The same creative hand made ostrich, horse, and eagle; and the same life moves in each, yet differs in manifestation; each acts by the spontaneous movement and instinct of its being to fulfil the purpose of God.
The ostrich has been deprived of wisdom, yet when she takes to flight she excels in speed.
The horse has not the speed of the ostrich, yet see his force and strength in battle, as he rejoices in the sound of the trumpet and the shouts of war.
The eagle mounts up to heaven above every other bird. Mark her piercing vision as she spies her prey afar off, and seeks it as food for her young
Did Job not understand that he, too, was but a unit in the great creation of God, with only a measure of knowledge and power imparted to him to fulfil the purpose of his creation?
Where is thy wisdom, O Job, compared with Mine?
The Lord’s question
“Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct Him” (A.V.)?
“He that argueth with God, let him answer.” — Chap. xl. 1, 2.
The Lord waits for Job to answer all these things, for Job had said that he was prepared to reason with the Lord over His strange dealings with him, but did Job still think he could instruct his Creator how to fashion the work of His hands?
Job had protested that he would fill his mouth with arguments if he could but get access to the throne of Jehovah, let him therefore speak.
Job’s first confession “Then Job answered... and said, Behold I am of small account; what shall I answer thee? I lay mine hand upon my mouth... I
will proceed no further.”’ — Chap. xl. 3-5.
“TI am vile’? (A.V.), cries Job, “‘ contemptibly mean’? (as the word signifies), and of small account.
What answer could Job give to the God he has misjudged? What could he say to such a revelation of His power, His infinite wisdom, and His sympathy with the work of His hands?
Job feels contemptibly mean as he remembers his language toward the Lord, and how he charged Him with cruel persecution when He was but working out His purposes of love.
Job replies to Jehovah’s challenge that he can only put his - hand upon his mouth, and confess himself silenced. He will not speak any more as he has done.
Job is silenced, it is true; but the Lord must have from him a more frank confession of repentance, and a deeper turning from himself and the past, than this!
Job, Chapters xl, xli, xlii. 1-6. -