Finally, God speaks to everything that has been said. The Lord asks, “who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” Ultimately Job responds by saying, “I am nothing — how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.”
Who is it that God is accusing of using ignorant words? Job? Elihu? Bildad? One of the other friends? I like the idea that God is calling all of them ignorant. Whenever a person starts telling God what God’s job is, that person is speaking ignorant words. Everyone in the book of Job at one time or another has tried to tell God what his job is. God’s response is perfect. If you should ever find yourself telling God what to do take a time out and read chapters 38-39 and recognize that God is speaking directly to you.
Job’s response in chapter 40 is the only response that someone can give when confronted with God’s truth; God, you’re right, I’m wrong, I’ll be quiet now. I fail to respond to God in that manner quite a bit. I can think of many occasions when God has told me I’m being dumb, and I keep being dumb. Then God tells me a little more forcefully that I’m being dumb, and I keep being dumb. Finally God slaps me upside the head and I start to figure out that I’m being dumb. I need to follow Job’s example and listen to God the first time.
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