OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND

Lesson 11

Key Text:

“ ‘Where were you when I

laid the foundations of the earth? Tell

Me, if you have

understanding’ ”

Job 38:4

Whatever their differences, the characters in the book of Job had one thing in com-mon: each had a lot to say about God, or at least about his understanding of God.

And, as we have seen, much of what they said we could agree on. After all, who would argue with this: “ ‘But now ask the beasts, and they will teach you; and the birds of the air, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you; and the fish of the sea will explain to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this, in whose hand is the life of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind’ ” (Job 12:7–10, NKJV)? Or with this: “ ‘Does God subvert judgment? Or does the Almighty pervert justice?’ ” Job 8:3

And while the context was Job’s suffering, the main focus of discussion was God. With the exception of the first two chapters, though, the Lord remained hidden, in the background, as the book progressed. All that, however, was about to change. God Himself—the subject of so much discussion and debate in the book of Job—will now speak for Himself.

God answers (Job 38:1). God’s question (Job 38:2-3). God introduces Himself as the

Creator (Job 38:4-41). God appeals to Job’s wisdom

(Job 39). Job’s answer (Job 42:1-6).

“Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.”

(Job 38:3)

GOD ANSWERS

“Then the Lord

answered Job out of

the whirlwind.”

(Job 38:1)

God showed up in an unexpected and spectacular way after Elihu’s speech.God spoke to Job behind a whirlwind. He showed Himself to Job like He did to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:1-6; 26:4; 32:24-32).God knows the sorrows of His children. He wants to show Himself to us personally to relieve our suffering.

No matter our sorrows, our troubles, or whatever we face in this life, we can have the assurance that God is near and that we can trust Him.

That is why He walked as a person like us, He suffered like we do and He opened a “new and living way” so we could reach Him (Hebrews 10:20).

GOD ’S QUESTION“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?

Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” (Job 38:2-3)

God’s first words to Job didn’t sound very encouraging: “Why do you speak without knowledge?”He challenged Job to answer His questions. Since He already knew Job couldn’t answer them, why did He ask them?God’s questions aren’t supposed to make us know more. His questions are designed to make us reflect so we can get to the right conclusion.

“Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11).

“Where is Abel your brother? (Genesis 4:9).

“What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9).

“Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4).

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […]

for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV)

Job 38:4-7 Job 38:8-11 Job 38:12-15

Job 38:16-17 Job 38:18 Job 38:19-21

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […]

for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV)

Job 38:22-23 Job 38:24 Job 38:25-28

Job 38:29-30 Job 38:31-33 Job 38:34-35

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […]

for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV)

Job expected to hear answers about the reason for his calamity. God taught him that he was unable to understand the answer.Had Job seen the wonderful act of Creation? Could he see how God acts in every natural phenomenon? God’s questions make us understand that we are ignorant of the created world.How can I understand my Creator if I cannot even understand what He created? Thank God because He revealed Himself on Jesus Christ.

Job 38:36 Job 38:37-38

Job 38:39-40 Job 38:41

GOD APPEALS TO JOB’S WISDOM“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?” (Job 39:13)

Job 39:1-4 Job 39:5-8

Job 39:9-12 Job 39:13

Thanks to science we can answer some of God’s questions to Job.Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions.Our knowledge of Creation is still very limited.

GOD APPEALS TO JOB’S WISDOMJob 39:14-18 Job 39:19-25

Job 39:26 Job 39:27-30

The more we learn about Creation, the more wonderful and mysterious it seems.How does Creation make you be amazed at God’s power?

“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?” (Job 39:13)

“Why has He clothed the earth and trees with living green, instead of with dark, somber brown? Is it not that they may be more pleasing to the eye? And shall not our hearts be filled with gratitude as we read the evidences of His wisdom and love in the wonders of His creation?The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature. The hand of God guides the planets in their orderly march through the heavens. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth continues her motion round the sun and produces her bounties. The word of God controls the elements. He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. He makes the valleys fruitful and “grass to grow upon the mountains;” Psalm 147:8. It is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom.The whole natural world is designed to be an interpreter of the things of God.”

E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, section 5, cp. 25, p. 185)

J O B ’ S A N S W E R

“Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, “Who is this

that obscures my plans without knowledge?” Surely I spoke of things I did not

understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, “Listen now, and I will

speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and

ashes.’” (Job 42:1-6 NIV)

Isaiah 6:5• “So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I

am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.’”

Luke 5:8• “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at

Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’”

Once Job understood God better, he was also more aware of his foolishness and sinfulness. The more we know about God the more aware we are of our own unworthiness, like Isaiah and Peter. “With what shall I come before the Lord?” (Micah 6:6). “Where is boasting then? It is excluded.” (Romans 3:27).Even perfect and upright people who fear God and stray from sin need a Savior. Our only wise reaction before God is to repent in dust and ashes.

J O B ’ S A N S W E R

“There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful claim to freedom from sin, on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s cross. They feel that it was their sin which caused the agony that broke the heart of the Son of God, and this thought will lead them to self-abasement. Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most clearly the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the merit of a crucified and risen Saviour.”

E.G.W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 27, p. 471)

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