JOB 40

1 Moreover Yahweh answered Job, and said,

Was ever a man the subject of so full and personal and searching a Divine address to himself?

 God did not deign to explain, for that would have been utterly inappropriate, and would not have accomplished the desired result. We must first accept God and all His ways fully and unquestioningly, before we can hope for any explanation of their mysteries.

But God condescended to take the time and trouble to fully and in detail manifest Himself and His majesty to Job, as He did to none other we know of but Christ himself. God's address to Job is unique in all Scripture.

Job at last received that which he had so passionately pleaded for: a direct divine manifestation. It would be well worth all the scorn and abuse and terrible suffering he had endured. Indeed, its value and power would be greatly heightened by that dark background. 

What a joyful, glorious, inspiring, comforting memory for the last one hundred and forty years of his life! -- a life which he thought was already over.

How much closer he would now be to God for that long period of recompense for his trials! How much more at peace -- for there are hints that for all his religious efforts and prosperity, he was not before truly at peace. In the anguish of his suffering, he makes such revelations as this:

"That which I GREATLY FEARED is come upon me" (3:25).

But never again would he fear anything. Now his peace was deep and strong. The ordeal was dreadful, but we see its wholesome benefits.*

2 Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth Eloah, let him answer it.

It is notable that Job was given just what he asked: an opportunity to stand up to God and argue with Him, to show Him how He must be mistaken. But how swiftly Job's bold self-assurance fled before the mighty manifestation of God's infinite wisdom and power!*

4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

'Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes'. (Job 42:6)

Job was the most righteous man of his day: a giant of faith and endurance -- "perfect and upright," "none like him in all the earth," according to the testimony of God Himself (Job 1:8). Still, Job has something to learn, something in which to be developed and brought to beautiful fruition, as he at last freely and humbly confesses (40:4; 42:6).

Unquestionably, Job was a better, wiser, greater, more understanding man, much closer to God, after his terrible trial than before. And he had attained to a far higher position in the Divine Purpose and Manifestation.

As a prosperous and honoured sheik, he never would have fully known God. He never would have become an inspiration and example for all ages. He never would have been granted the unique and inestimable privilege of the direct Divine revelation he received.*

Bro Growcott - Doth Job fear God for nought? 

9 Hast thou an arm like El? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

As God spoke of the endless marvels of His Creation, Job shrank to nothing. Crushed in shame, he learned to rest totally and unreservedly in God, devastated by the sudden realization of the stupidity and presumption of daring to challenge God and question His ways.*

*Bro Growcott - Doth Job fear God for nought?