Job has already taken one pounding from his young friend Elihu. In these chapters he takes another from the Lord himself. It is a severe mercy that the Lord shows him here. Job has acted wickedly and very foolishly in thinking that he could justify himself in God’s eyes. The Lord brings him back to the wisdom with which he had begun this painful journey when he confessed, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
The Lord’s response to Job follows the same lines that Elihu’s did, but it states the case much more strongly. He does not defend his own righteousness nor explain to Job why he had brought on him these terrible sufferings. Instead, he talks about his creative and providential work and says to Job as it were, “You could not do these things. You were not there when I did them. You do not understand them.” Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who shut in the sea with doors? Have you commanded the morning? Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you send out lightnings? (38:4,8,12,17,33,35) He reminds Job of his power, omniscience and eternity.
The point is the same that Elihu had made. Who do you think you are? Are you big enough to demand that God account to you for his actions? The Lord puts it this way.
Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
He who rebukes God, let him answer it… (40:2)
Would you indeed annul my judgment?
Would you condemn me that you may be justified?
Have you an arm like God?
Or can you thunder with a voice like his?
Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor,
And array yourself with glory and beauty.
Disperse the rage of your wrath;
Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him.
Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low;
Tread down the wicked in their place.
Hide them in the dust together,
Bind their faces in hidden darkness.
Then I will also confess to you
That your own right hand can save you. (40:8-14)
This may seem to be not much of answer to Job’s agonized question, “Why this suffering?” Yet it is also the answer that he gives to us. He does not explain his purposes, nor does he justify himself to us. He does what is righteous, good and wise in his own eyes, and he expects us to submit to his will. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon him, for he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).
That is what Job did.
Behold, I am vile;
What shall I answer you?
I lay my hand over my mouth.
Once I have spoken, but I will not answer;
Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further. (40:4,5)
I know that you can do everything,
And that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you.
You asked, “Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?”
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said,” I will question you, and you shall answer me.”
I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees you.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes. (42:2-6)
That is the fear of the Lord and the departing from evil that Job calls wisdom and understanding in chapter 28:28. May God grant it to us.