DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- THE FINAL EXAM

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – THE FINAL EXAM

God said to Job: "Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me." (Job 38:1-3)

Oral exams are difficult. The prof gives you questions to see if you really understand the lesson. I remember having to suffer through an oral exam when I graduated from university and also when I graduated from seminary. They are sweat times.

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God gave Job an oral exam with a series of questions intended to show Job that God was God and Job wasn't.

God's questions start at the beginning – "Where were you when I made the universe?" (vss. 4 ff) Where does light and darkness dwell? (vs. 19). Have you entered the treasury of the snow? (vs. 22) How is light diffused over the earth? (vs. 24). Where does water come from? (vs. 28). Who is in control of the constellations? (vs.. 31-33). Who is in control of the animal kingdom? (39:30). The correct answer is "God."

Then God pins Job to the wall. "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer" (40:2). In other words, what gives you the authority to tell God what to do? Job got the message. He said, "Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further" (40:4-5). Job said that once or twice he had tried to tell God the what-fors, but that he had learned his lesson and would not do it again.

When we think that we have all the answers and can instruct God and tell Him what to do, we need to remember how great God is. He is the God of the universe, all powerful, all wise, and all-good. He knows what He is doing and does not need my input. This does not mean we should not pray. But our prayers are always with the understanding of "not my will but thine be done."

He is God and will do what is best, even if it means that we must endure pain. This is the essence of Job's answer to God: "I know that You can do everything and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You...I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42:2-6). Job truly got the picture. God gave him an A+ for the oral exam, and blessed him more than he had before. There are blessings in store for those who pass the test – who know that God is God.

Love, Dad