How desperate (or perhaps foolish) Job must have been to declare with such bravado to his friends: “I have stated my case; now let the Almighty answer me” (Job 31:35). When he says, “I can account for every step I have taken; I can approach my opponent with confidence” (31:37), I wonder if Job was perhaps thinking of God as his opponent? It must be, because just listen to how God responds to Job (again from the whirlwind): “Clothe yourself with pride and great strength, dress in majesty and splendour” (Job 40:10).
If you are so strong, Job, perhaps you are up to wrestling with the hippopotamus? With great awe, the poet describes this giant beast: “Its bones are like bronze pipes, like bars of iron” (40:18). Or what about the crocodile: “On land, it has no equal, a creature without fear” (41:33).
Who are you then, Job, to “dare demand that I owe you something? Everything under heaven belongs to Me” (41:11). Someone once referred to our modern believers who worship a “domesticated God.” This happens when we forget that we belong to God (and not the other way around). We are God’s property (and not the other way around!).
I understand why a “silence of humility” descended upon Job. God had barely begun asking questions when Job declared: “I put my hand over my mouth” (Job 39:37 – 2020 translation). Here, Job reminds me of the disciple Thomas, who could not believe that Jesus had appeared to the others after His death. And when Jesus – with all His wounds – did appear to him, there was only one honest response: “My Lord and my God” (John 20:28).
Job would understand.
PRAYER: Before You, I can only bow in humble silence, my Lord and my God.
MUSIC:
We watch the music video of “Soul Be Silent,” conducted by Chad Hendricks and sung by Conroy Scott with the CCH Strings in Cape Town. This version of “Soul Be Silent” was arranged by Stephen Arendse.
https://youtu.be/6h7PX7OErNw?si=ORmTxYFdFHTf28LU