Job 38:1-39:30

Finally! The Lord speaks...

There seem to be three themes running through these two chapters:

1. The Lord creates all that has come into being.
2. The Lord is powerful.
3. The Lord is wise.

But I don't like the mockery and the air of disdain with which the questions seem to be put to Job, e.g., "Tell me, if you know all this." (Job 38:18b) and "Surely you know, for you were already born! You have lived so many years!" (Job 38:21) and "Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom and spread his wings toward the south?" (Job 39:26)

What are You telling me, God, in this reading?

Maybe You are telling Job in his suffering (and me in my small troubles) to look again at the world of nature and the beauties of creation. There is something in the great outdoors with its plant life, birds, insects, animals, streams, rivers, oceans, clouds, skies, stars, and planets that comforts the human soul. So when a person feels down, oppressed, and hurt it will be good for the person's spirits to spend some time in a natural environment.

And maybe Your taunting of Job is just what he needs to be persuaded to shift his focus away from himself for a time.