Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm.

Job 38:1

Finally, God breaks His silence. But He doesn’t come walking in the garden in the cool of the day (Genesis 3:8) as He came to question Adam and Eve. Nor does He come in a gentle whisper as to Elijah on the mountain (1 King 19:12). He comes out of a storm, a literal whirlwind, not angry but overwhelming and intense, questioning, challenging. 

Immediately the questions from God begin—187 questions in fact; someone counted them. Job says nothing. At first blush I wonder: what about all those things you wanted to ask God, Job, like—did you not see the agony I was in? did you not care? why did you not come sooner? 

But I am silenced as I realize the sense of splendor and majesty Job is experiencing in this piercing theophany (God appearing). Think of Moses at the burning bush: Moses hid his face, because he was afraid to look at God (Exodus 3:6); or Isaiah seeing the Lord, high and exalted: “Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined!” (Isaiah 6:1,5). I sigh: Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain (Psalm 139:6).

In His long string of questions the LORD (Yahweh) proclaims the wonders of creation and then claims ownership—can you explain it (38:1-38)? can you oversee it (38:39-39:30)? can you subdue it (40:6-41:34)?* There is no better place to find God’s description of God than in the pages of Job. Who would have thought it?  

It is true—when suffering, one’s world shrinks. We must be careful or our view of God will shrink too. As Oswald Chambers said (My Utmost for His Highest, 11.23): “’The cares of this world’ (Mark 4:19)…and our passion for vindication (exoneration)…distract our attention away from God.” 

What it all boils down to is this: “Man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever” (Westminster Shorter Catechism): For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! (Romans 11:36). When in distress I head into God’s creation and soak up He who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine (Ephesians 3:20).

Nancy P

*Strader, Womenary Fall 2020.