Words without Knowledge

 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
“Who is this that darkens counsel
by words without knowledge?
Dress for action like a man;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements–surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone,
when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
(Job 38:1-7 ESV)

To whatever You have called us to, O God, and at whatever the cost, let it be.  Only do lead us, lest we stop anywhere when you say, “Come,” and by the gift of Yourself make us strong.  Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Dear friends,

In reading the book of Job, I’m reminded again of how much smaller we are than God.  It’s a good reminder.  I am mortal; God is eternal.  His ability is beyond measure; mine microscopic.  His knowledge is infinite; mine very limited—I’m pretty sure I have reached that stage in life where I have already forgotten more than what I have learned school, yet every day is a learning experience.

Job is a great book to read during a pandemic.  It is about sudden calamities that come out of nowhere and interrupt life as we know it (sound familiar?).  In Job’s life it came in two stages.  First terrible events devastated his family and economic situation.  Secondly his health took a turn for the worst. The diabolical strategy at work that Job was unaware of was the goal to cause him to curse God and die.  Job never did.  Instead he worshipped God through his misery.  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

He did, however, try to argue with God and prove that what God was doing to him was not right.  Job was a righteous man.  Not many of us can argue that point, but Job could.  Even God considered Job more righteous that anyone else at the time.  But as much as Job tried to make his case before the Almighty and overcome the miserable consolation of his friends, Job’s words were, in the end, without knowledge.

He had no idea what God was up to.

God eventually shows up and in a marvelously overwhelming but loving way, puts Job in his place.  Who was he to argue with God?  How is it possible that a mere mortal could have any inkling of the Infinite Mind of the Creator?  Eventually Job let go of his argument and repented of his hubris.  God lovingly restored Job and blessed him beyond measure.

Job is one of the most ancient books in the Bible.  Its wisdom is far greater than the shallow panaceas that get promoted today.  Today we continually hear many words without knowledge.  I encourage you to dig into the book of Job.  Its not an easy read, but I guarantee that if you are looking for depth and perspective in a sound byte world, Job is your guy.

I don’t know what God is up to these days either.  But if I were to guess, I would say that he would like you and me and the whole world to step away from our pride, and to bend our knees and our hearts to our Creator in humble worship.

Blessed be the LORD!
Pastor Langdon Reinke