Submit to the Sovereign Lord - Job 38

JOB 38 TO END, JULY 16, 2006
By: John Vandiver


It was late in May when we received our study guides for the summer quarter with the first lesson on Job starting on June 4, 2006. It had been several years since I had attempted to teach the book of Job and my memory seemed to recall that it was not an easy study. One of the toughest questions that a Christian has to deal with is the question…Why do good men suffer while evil men continue to prosper? People today who have studied the bible extensively know that the Israelites firmly believed that any illness, pain or suffering came to them as punishment for their sins. It is no surprise to us when we find that Job’s friends really believed that Job had committed sins against God which he had not confessed. They believed his severe problems in life were just punishment for his sins; and they believed that his punishment would continue so long as he refused to acknowledge that he was a sinner and was unwilling to confess and seek forgiveness.

One important question has arisen from this study and the question is…Does Satan have access to the Throne Room in heaven? I did not think so until I read the conversation between God and the Devil which is said to have taken place in Heaven. God gave Job credit for having a strong faith and believed he would remain true. Satan said that he was faithful only because of God’s blessings; and that if they were removed—Job would curse God. One time when Satin was asked what he was doing, he said that he was going to and fro in the earth destroying. As far as I know he never mentioned being back in heaven. Is this the only place in the scriptures that indicate that Satin and his angels still have access to heaven? Help!

Another important question arises at this point and it is…Did God cause Job all the loss and suffering he went through? It appears that he did and it also appears that it was done to prove Job’s faith and not as punishment for sin. When God asked Satin if he had considered his friend, Job, in my opinion He was suggesting that Job be tried by taking his processions. Later he suggested that the Devil could even take Job’s health away, but could not touch his soul. God did put this limitation on the Devil. Well, we have explored the Word as we studied the conversation between the Devil and God. In one day we saw Job lose his ten children their home and all of his wealth. Another conversation between the Devil and God occurred and then Job lost his health. Two friends counseled Job three times each and one friend counseled him twice. Then last Sunday we heard the young man, Elihu present his thinking about the cause and remedy for Job’s problems. Now, today, we will sit in on the Lord’s first interrogation of Job and it starts with the first verse of chapter 38.

Remember that Job has been trying to find the answer for why he was being made to suffer so greatly. He has made some accusations against God and has demanded that God appear to him and explain why he had been punished severely and why he had lost all that he had, including his health. Jesus Christ was noted for his ability to answer direct questions by asking questions in return. He got his training from his father God who used this means to answer Job. Instead of answering Job‘s questions directly, God asked Job a series of questions that no man could have answered. The questions were in depth regarding God’s creation and His control of all things created. Job could not answer him. His only response was to let God know that he had finally realized the greatness of God was beyond his comprehension and his only response was to be one of recognition and acceptance.

Do you want to read verbatim the greatest mistake Job ever made? In 31: 35-37, he challenged God to meet him in court. He said: “Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing. Surely I would wear it on my shoulder; I would put it on like a crown. I would give him an account of my every step; like a prince I would approach him…”

He is heckling God when he said he wished someone would step up and hear his case. I need a good judge. Why not just let the Almighty be my judge. In the language of 2006, Job said that he would act as his own defensive lawyer; he had all the proof he needed as the defendant and he had signed off on his case. Now it is time for you to bring your indictment of me to the court and let the judge decide who is right and who is wrong.

A good Hollywood producer could take this court scene and make a movie of high drama from a factual case. Job had been accusing God, the judge of heaven and earth, of being prejudiced against him—and he demanded his day in court to present his own case against God. The matter becomes critical at this point because if the judge [God] is unable to rule properly in Job’s case then his ability to rule and judge heaven and earth is at stake. If Job wins this case, he will prove that God is incompetent! This was the BIG issue. Look at this court case from the viewpoint of God. The creator had been charged with wrongdoing by one of his creatures and must defend his own glory and honor. How did he do it?

Job was all set to put God on the witness stand, act as his own defense lawyer and prove that he was innocent. God turned things around and placed Job, the plaintiff, on the witness stand and examined him. There were no other witnesses, no more evidence and no cross-examination. Job had requested this hearing with God so he could present his case 31:25. Job wanted God to present the charges against him; and he was ready to answer each one.

Job got what he wanted—a day in court with God—Job did not want what he got from God. Everyone was shocked when the “Judge” miraculously blew into the courtroom out of a storm or a whirlwind and started asking Job nearly one hundred questions—one after another—with no replies from Job because he did not know the answers. [This is God’s longest conversation recorded in the Holy Bible.] God said that Job had a lot of words but no knowledge. He said to Job, you have talked and shown your ignorance—then He warned him to “Brace yourself like a man.” Then God reminded Job that He had created the earth and all therein, and that He was the one that kept things in order. God spoke as if his creation represented a building project, and ask Job where he was during creation. Who did the measurements, laid the foundation, and placed the cornerstone? Job, where were you while this was happening? On and on the questions came and it was all to make Job see how foolish he was to claim that God had left him to suffer alone and that God could not hear him.

God humbles Job by asking all these questions that Job can not answer. The questions were to remind Job that He—God rules over the earth, the sea, sun, oceans [the deeps], the snow, rain, ice, clouds and over all the planets. God overwhelmed Job with a display of his sovereign majesty…The Great I Am. Job had somehow forgotten that God was the creator and he was a wee part of the creation. As creator, God has the divine right to what he desires with his creation. God is potter…Job is clay…and so are we. It is only possible for us to understand and accept our humble position before God—only when we fully understand the position that God holds over the entire universe. Do we fully understand that we are FINITE compared to God being INFINITE? The difference between is so great that man [Job] can not comprehend Him!

You and I can feel assured that when God decides to explain something to us he will spare no words and use any of his means to do so. Beginning with chapter 38, verse 39, and all of chapter 39 God switches is thought process to include all of the animal kingdom. Remember that Job had accused God of mismanaging his life; now God reminds Job that he has dominion over the lion, raven, goat, doe, donkey, Ox, horse, hawk, and even the great eagle. He created them; he provides for them and even is aware of a sparrow in its fall. God wanted Job to realize His creative genius and providential care of the animal kingdom [and everything else]. Now, He wants us to compare MAN to the animals and see that if he cares for the animals…then we should never doubt that He has a special plan to care for his children.

Here comes the emphasis of this lesson today. WE ARE HUMAN BEINGS AND A LITTLE HIGHER THAN THE ANIMALS—HOWEVER THE GOD OF CREATION IS SOVEREIGN LORD!

WE MUST SUBMIT TO THE SOVEREIGN LORD

It is imperative. There is no other way. We must yield our lives to the supremacy of God. How? First, realize you are a sinner, lost and doomed for hell. Second, repent of your sins and request that God forgive you. Third, you must accept his salvation by grace through your faith and invite God to come into your life and be your constant guide. The fourth step is an ongoing process where you must submit your all to the sovereign Lord, and live for him daily.

There is someone that you know well; a parent, spouse or child…and it could be you—that has had what seems to be more than their rightful share of hard times and troubles, losses or illness—trials in life that come close to a match for Job. Each of these could make a case study where we could compare the trials to those that Job had; and then compare the way they reacted to friends and toward God. We can learn from their experience. Or, a second scenario is that beginning in the future [maybe soon] you or one that you know will be overcome by the perils of Job. What should you do? How do you react? Will you blame God? Will you criticize God for allowing the Devil to cause you loss or pain? There is no way I can cover thoroughly a comprehensive plan that would fit all cases, but let us look at some brief suggestions.
1. If your spirit is being attacked…your soul is at stake…Satin is at fault, and God is not involved. In this case you are not a Christian and the only solution is to be saved and turn your life over to God.
2. If the problem deals with anything except the soul, God could be involved; either allowing Satin to tempt you or maybe even suggesting that Satin deal with you.
3. As a Christian believer—you will have problems.
4. It is imperative that you read His Word and pray for understanding regarding the plan God has for your life. First, know that He has a plan and that means that there is a reason for your loss or suffering, and that reason is within the mind of God. Have faith to believe that your problem will eventually work for your good. Never blame God. Never complain. Love Him, praise Him, and humbly submit to his will and way for your life…And He will exalt you. This worked for Job…It requires repentance and obedience.
5. If you are down…low…really down on the very bottom—then there is no way to go but UP. Job was there!

In the last chapter of his book we find him bent low, but not broken—humbled as he recalled the supremacy of God. He repented of his low view of God…he repented of his own arrogance…he acknowledged God’s sovereignty and power and renewed his fellowship with God. Job forgave and helped restore his three friends back to God, and God abundantly blessed him with his complete family and greater wealth than he had before the great tragedies struck. God knew the end before the trials started.

To recap how to deal with tragedy, first we must have faith. We must realize that God has sovereignty over our lives. He made us as we are and he can make the circumstances in our lives as he wishes. He has the divine right to mold us into the vessel He needs. Our life is a divine mystery beyond our understanding, and we may never know what God is doing.