“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.” Job 38:1-3
As Elihu was speaking to Job in Chapter 37, a thunderstorm arose, and when the storm was over, God spoke out of the splendor of the sky. Job had challenged God to speak and now he is taken at his word.
God asked Job a series of questions, instructing him like a child in how man was unable to understand God’s ways, and reminding him of God’s loving care for him. During his time of suffering, the Lord had not forgotten him. After listening to all God had to say, Job humbly admits in Job 40:4-5 “Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. “Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.”
It seems as if God saw that Job was still trusting in himself, verse seven, “Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.” He then proceeds to describe some of the animals that He has created, over which Job would have no control, and reminds him that if he could not prevail against them, how could he stand against His Creator?
In Chapter 41:1-6, Job completely surrenders to God, confessing his ignorance, and acknowledging that he had spoken of things he did not understand. “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
The Lord took his side against his accusers and rebuked them, telling them to make a sacrifice and that Job would pray for them.
“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
Note that Job was not fully forgiven, until he extended forgiveness to his accusers, and prayed for them. And then God turned things around for Job and gave him far more than he had before.
I hope that each one of you will take time to read the book of Job for yourself. I have been reading it in the NLT which makes it a bit easier to understand than the KJV. God inspires all Scripture, and there are lessons to learn even in this tragic story. We have not had time to go into all of them, but this example of forgiveness is one we should all practice – forgiving and praying for those who might have wronged us.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for the assurance that you are ever watching over us, in the good times and the bad. You have a plan and a purpose, and you work all things together for our good.
Devotion by: Anne Johnston
