The Mystery of God's Power

 
Read Job 26:1-27:23

If you have never taken the time in your life to go outside on a clear night and contemplate the universe you have missed out on something wonderful. When it comes to life and living we are, actually, quite small (“What is man that you take notice of him?” asked the Psalmist.). Job, however, never disagreed with the contention of his friends that God’s power was unlimited and mighty. In chapter 26 Job begins his final quest to answer his friends who will not speak again in the book. Their argument against Job ended with the pitiful remarks of Bildad in chapter 25.

Job begins his final discourse by snarling some sarcasm at the likes of Bildad. Bildad has taught Job nothing and has done nothing to unravel the mysteries of the universe. Bildad has done nothing to alleviate Job’s pain. Of course this is Job’s way of saying, “I agree with you.”

To read chapter 26 (we will not venture into 27 even though it is part of the reading for today) is to come face to face with the Greatness of God. Job lays it out for his friends like this: “Death is naked before God; destruction lies uncovered.” Then he says, “...he suspends the earth over nothing.” The earth is not controlled by some magical force called gravity or inertia, things which Job knew nothing about. In his experience it was God who had hung the earth in the expanse of the sky. Then again, it was God who ‘spread out the northern skies over empty space.”  It was God who marked out the horizon, churned up the sea, and wrapped the waters inside of clouds. It was God who did these things--even if we somehow or other have scientific explanations for them now—explanations that seem wanting in light of God’s power and majesty. (“He holds all things together by the power of his word,” wrote Paul.)

Then Job goes on to point out that these things are ‘only the outer fringe of his works; how faint a whisper we hear of him!’ In other words the great things we see with our eyes and consider with our minds are only but a faint representation of what God has done in creation. The grandeur and majesty we see are only pale representations of all that he has done. Job concludes by saying, “Who then can understand the thunder of his power?” Oh sure there are explanations for thunder, but what is it really? It still evokes mystery and enigma when it rolls across the skies.

We will not easily understand all the things of the creation. We will not easily understand the power of God’s handiwork. We will not easily understand how it is that things in the world happen. I do not deny the scientific or common sense explanations of things. Nor does Job. Still the creativity and wisdom of God are not things that are easily grasped in the mind. For example, what does it mean to say that the Andromeda galaxy is 2 million light years away? What does that really mean? What does it mean that the universe is hundreds of billions of years old? What does it mean that it was God who made all these things?  The mystery of God’s power is overwhelming, and quite frankly, I think that mystery needs to remain so.

Prayer Thoughts on Job 26:1-27:23

Paul had similar sentiments in the book of Romans: “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Who has know the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor? Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him? For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.” Make this your prayer today.