Lesson 8
The Final Examination
(JOB 38—42)
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Read Job 38—42. This lesson references chapter 13 in Be Patient. It will be helpful for you to have your Bible and a copy of the commentary available as you work through this lesson.
Getting Started
From the Commentary
With all his verbosity and lack of humility, Elihu did say some good things that Job needed to hear. Elihu’s use of rhetorical questions in Job 37:14–18 prepared Job for the series of questions Jehovah would ask him in Job 38—41. Unlike the three friends, Elihu assessed Job’s problem accurately: Job’s actions may have been right—he was not the sinner his three friends described him to be—but his attitude was wrong. He was not the “saint” Job saw himself to be. Job was slowly moving toward a defiant, self-righteous attitude that was not at all healthy. It was this know-it-all attitude that God exposed and destroyed when He appeared to Job and questioned him.
—Be Patient, page 177
1. What was the most valuable thing Elihu said in his speech to Job? Why did Job not want to accept what Elihu said? What does Elihu’s role in this story teach us about one of the ways God reveals Himself to us?
2. Choose one verse or phrase from Job 38—42 that stands out to you. This could be something you’re intrigued by, something that makes you uncomfortable, something that puzzles you, something that resonates with you, or just something you want to examine further. Write that here.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
The storm that Elihu had been describing finally broke, and God spoke to Job out of the storm. The answer to Job’s problems was not an explanation about God, such as the three friends and Elihu had given, but a revelation of God. The four men had declared and defended the greatness of God but had failed to persuade Job. When God displayed His majesty and greatness, it humbled Job and brought him to the place of silent submission before God. That was the turning point.
—Be Patient, page 179
3. What’s the difference between an explanation of God and a revelation of God? Why were Job’s friends destined to fail in their approach to Job? How did God finally speak to Job?
More to Consider: Dr. Paul Tournier wrote in his book Guilt and Grace, “For God’s answer is not an idea, a proposition, like the conclusion of a theorem; it is Himself. He revealed Himself to Job; Job found personal contact with God” (86). How is this evident in Job’s story? What are other biblical stories where this proves to be true? How is it true for believers today?
From the Commentary
God’s address to Job centered on His works in nature and consisted of seventy-seven questions interspersed with divine commentary relating to the questions. The whole purpose of this interrogation was to make Job realize his own inadequacy and inability to meet God as an equal and defend his cause.
“Then summon me, and I will answer,” Job had challenged God, “or let me speak, and you reply” (Job 13:22 NIV). God had now responded to Job’s challenge.
God’s address can be summarized in three questions:
1. “Can you explain My creation?” (38:1–38).
2. “Can you oversee My creation?” (38:39—39:30).
3. “Can you subdue My creation?” (40:6—41:34).
—Be Patient, page 180
4. What was the tone of God’s reply to Job? Why did God focus His address on the subject of creation? How did this answer Job’s complaints?
From the Commentary
Job was sure that his speeches had been filled with wisdom and knowledge, but God’s first question put an end to that delusion: “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2 NIV). The Living Bible paraphrases it, “Why are you using your ignorance to deny my providence?” God didn’t question Job’s integrity or sincerity; He only questioned Job’s ability to explain the ways of God in the world. Job had spoken the truth about God (42:7), but his speeches had lacked humility. Job thought he knew about God, but he didn’t realize how much he didn’t know about God. Knowledge of our own ignorance is the first step toward true wisdom.
—Be Patient, page 181
5. Review Job 38:1–38. How did Job use his ignorance to deny God’s providence? What does this passage teach us about the dangers of an arrogant faith? How might the church today benefit from the lesson God gave Job?
From the Commentary
The question “Canst thou set its dominion thereof in the earth?” (Job 38:33) is translated in the NASB, “Or fix their rule over the earth?” The NIV reads, “Can you set up God’s dominion over the earth?” and The Living Bible says, “Do you know … how the heavens influence the earth?” Is there a suggestion here that the stars and planets have a direct influence over events on earth as the advocates of astrology maintain? Not at all. The statement can be paraphrased: “Job, if you understand so much about the heavenly bodies that are thought by some to affect the earth, then why don’t you use that authority to change your situation?” The Lord was speaking with “holy sarcasm” and not revealing some profound truth.
—Be Patient, page 183
6. What’s the point of God’s “holy sarcasm” in his response to Job? What does this suggest about Job’s stubbornness? About God’s perspective on Job’s attitude?
From the Commentary
The Lord brought before Job’s imagination a parade of six beasts (lioness, goat, hind [deer], wild donkey, wild ox, and horse) and five birds (raven, ostrich, stork, hawk, and eagle). As he contemplated these creatures, Job had to answer the question, “Do you understand how they live and how to take care of them?” Obviously, Job’s reply had to be no.
The providence of God is certainly remarkable (see Ps. 104). In His wisdom and power, God supervises the whole universe and makes sure that His creatures are cared for. “You open Your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing” (Ps. 145:16 NKJV). We humans have a difficult time keeping the machinery of life operating successfully, but God runs the whole universe with such precision that we build our scientific laws on His creation.
Did Job know how to feed the lion cubs or the young ravens (Job 38:39–41)? Would he even know that they were hungry? Where could he find food for them? The ravens would know to find the carcasses left behind by the lions because God taught the birds (even unclean ravens!) how to find food.
—Be Patient, pages 183–84
7. Why did God refer to creatures of the earth in His answer to Job? How might that have connected with Job better than theoretical argument? What do God’s words here teach us about His creativity, both in creation and in answering people’s questions? How can the church today learn from God’s speech?
From the Commentary
God uses language that reflected Job’s desire to take God to court and argue his case. “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who reproves God answer it” (Job 40:2 NASB). God presented His case; now He gave Job opportunity to present his case. But Job has no case to present! His first words were, “Behold, I am vile!” which means, “I am insignificant and unworthy. I have no right to debate with God.” Job had told his friends to cover their mouths (21:5), and others had covered their mouths when Job appeared (29:9); but now Job had to put his hand over his mouth lest he say something he shouldn’t say (Prov. 30:32; Rom. 3:19).
But Job was not quite broken and at the place of sincere repentance. He was silent but not yet submissive; so, God continued His address.
—Be Patient, pages 185–86
8. How do you think Job felt when God silenced him in this way? Why is it critical for us to be silenced by God before He can accomplish His will? What does it mean to be silent but not submissive? How is this true sometimes in the church today?
From the Commentary
Instead of confronting Job again with the broad sweep of His creation, God selected only two creatures and asked Job to consider them. It’s as though God were saying, “My whole universe is too much for you to handle. However, here are two of My best products. What can you do with them?”
The issue now is not the power of God but the justice of God (Job 40:8). Job had said that God was unjust in the way He treated him (6:29; 27:1–6) and in the way He failed to judge the wicked (21:29–31; 24:1–17). In 40:9–14, God asked, “Job, do you have the strength and holy wrath it takes to judge sinners? If so, then start judging them! Humble the proud sinners and crush the wicked! Bury them! You claim that you can do a better job than I can of bringing justice to the world, so I’ll let you do it!”
However, before God turned Job loose on the sinners of the world, He asked him to put on his majestic robes and “practice” on two of His finest creatures, the hippopotamus (vv. 15–24) and the crocodile (41:1–34). If Job succeeded in subduing them, then he would qualify to execute judgment against a sinful world.
—Be Patient, page 186
9. Why did God offer Job the opportunity to essentially “play God” in His answer to Job’s complaint? How would this reveal the truth about God’s unequalled greatness? How would it ultimately answer Job’s complaint?
More to Consider: Most students agree that the animal described in Job 40:15–24 is the hippopotamus, although some prefer the elephant or the water buffalo. The word behemoth is the transliteration of a Hebrew word that means “super-beast.” Why did God choose such a beast in his answer to Job? How might that have intimidated Job? In today’s society, a challenge about a hippo might not seem so difficult. How might God make the same point today if He were speaking to a modern-day Job?
From the Commentary
Job knew he was beaten. There was no way he could argue his case with God. Quoting God’s very words (Job 42:3–4), Job humbled himself before the Lord and acknowledged His power and justice in executing His plans (v. 2). Then Job admitted that his words had been wrong and that he had spoken about things he didn’t understand (v. 3). Job withdrew his accusations that God was unjust and not treating him fairly. He realized that whatever God does is right, and man must accept it by faith.
Job told God, “I can’t answer Your questions! All I can do is confess my pride, humble myself, and repent.” Until now, Job’s knowledge of God had been indirect and impersonal; but that was changed. Job had met God personally and seen himself to be but “dust and ashes” (v. 6; 2:8, 12; Gen. 18:27).
—Be Patient, page 188
10. What did Job’s confession reveal about his heart? How did it reshape his frustration with his circumstances? With God? How might Job have then responded to his well-meaning but misguided friends?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of Job 38—42. Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. Have you experienced a revelation of God? How did that compare to knowledge about God? How do you share the truth of God’s revelation with someone who hasn’t experienced something similar?
12. God essentially told Job, “You’re not Me.” Have you ever felt like you knew better than God in some area of life? What prompted that arrogance? How did that situation turn out? What role does God’s mystery play in your understanding of Him and His purposes?
13. Think about a time when God humbled you. What led to that humbling? Why do you think God chose to humble you in this way? What did you learn from it about yourself? About God?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to be humbled before God? Be specific. Go back through Job 38—42 and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: Job thought he knew a lot about God and His ways, but it turned out he missed a few things. While our knowledge of God will always be incomplete, it’s still important for us to know as much about God as we can so we can better hear His voice and follow the paths He prepares for us. Use this week to study God’s character by reading biblical accounts of His intervention in the world. Don’t forget the most important intervention of all—Jesus’ birth, life, crucifixion, and resurrection. Then spend time in prayer, asking God to reveal the truth about Him that goes beyond knowledge.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve noted above. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups:
• Look for ways to put into practice the things you wrote in the Going Forward section. Talk with other group members about your ideas and commit to being accountable to one another.
• During the coming week, ask the Holy Spirit to continue to reveal truth to you from what you’ve read and studied.