Job 38

God, who has been silent for the last 35 chapters, will now speak.  God will initially address Job; however, He will not be speaking about Job.  Many assume that what follows in the next four chapters is God’s rebuke of Job.  However, besides the fact that this thought leads to inconsistencies, the text is clear as to who God is rebuking.  One only needs to carefully read God’s words.

When one considers what God stated in Job 1, 2 and 42 concerning Job, it seems that God is speaking about another individual.  One needs to consider, why would God praise Job at the beginning and the end of the book only to rebuke him just prior to the end.  Throughout the Book of Job, only Job receives praise.

There are some who hold to the position that Elihu was correct in rebuking Job.  If that is true, then Elihu, who did not uphold truth, would be our example.  That would be hard to believe when one considers that Elihu showed little compassion and was bloated with his own self-importance.  That would be counter to the message of the Bible.  One is not to praise themselves.  One is to allow others to have the preeminence and should show compassion for the downtrodden.  That is something Elihu never did.  Although my position is counter to what many believe, it is based on solid biblical evidence.  The rebuke in this chapter is actually directed towards Elihu, since he alone assumes to be in the place of God, something one should never undertake.  Unfortunately, many are willing to believe Elihu more than God.  This is a mistake that has occurred throughout history.  Many times the people of God have aligned with the wrong individual.  That is why there is a warning in Matthew 24:4.

⁴And Yeshua answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you.

Hopefully as the reader, you will take time to examine my basis.  It is my position that the text below flows contextually with the overall message of the Bible.

Job 38:1

¹Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

No question about it, God is speaking to Job.  Whirlwind comes from the Hebrew word sa’ar (h5591).  It is also translated tempest or stormy.  It denotes a violent wind of sorts.  From this, one can understand that God was not pleased with what had been occurring.  Many assume because God addresses Job that all that follows is about Job.  However, please keep an open mind.

Job 38:2

²Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

Many believe this is referring to Job.  However, God is asking Job a question and it seems that it is about an individual other than Job.  It is ,as if, the person God is asking the question about, is not present or is no longer allowed to speak for themselves.  Or actually, God is so enraged with the individual He does not initially speak to them.  God is initially addressing the only one who understands.

If God was actually referring to Job, the question would have been more direct.  Such as: Job why have you darken counsel?

Those who believe that this is directed towards Job have their reasons.  However, before one makes any decision, refer to what God has previously stated and will state again.

Job 1:8

⁸And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

God is speaking here to Satan.  God stated that there is none like Job in all the world.  Job is above all in righteousness.  God stated that he was perfect, mature, upright, God fearing and despises evil.  Remember, this is God speaking.  Try to disregard what everyone else has stated about Job.  Consider what God has stated, because God is first, foremost and the final authority on all subjects.  God stated this prior to Job being afflicted.  After Job was afflicted, it is recorded in Job 1:22.

²²In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

In all that happened, Job did not curse God nor did he speak a word of foolishness.  Then after the first onslaught, God tells Satan in Job 2:3.

³And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.

God’s appraisal of Job is consistent with what He stated earlier in Job 1.  But God does not stop there, He adds several statements that should be examined.  Job held fast to his integrity.  In Job 2:3, God views this as a good thing.  Others have pointed to this as a fault.  This seems to be in contradiction with God’s assessment.  Secondly, God tells Satan that it was Satan that caused the move against Job.  Finally, God clearly tells Satan that there was no justification.  That should mean a lot the reader, Job was not committing a sin that caused his situation.  Many like to point to some nonexistent sin of Job; however, God stated there was no cause that justifies what has happened to Job.

At the end of the book, God stated in Job 42:7-8.

⁷And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. ⁸Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.

Here, after all that has been said, twice God tells Eliphaz:

ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job

God affirms that the words of Job were correct.  Again, this is God speaking, He is the final authority on all issues.  Therefore, it would make no sense for God to accuse Job of darkening counsel, only to praise him five chapters later.  Job did not darken counsel.  Of all the human speakers, Job is the one that can be counted on for truth.

Additionally, consider this.  If Elihu was the one who was the prophet, why did not God have Elihu intercede on the behalf of Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar?  If Job had sinned, as so many assume, then Job could not pray for his friends.  It would be inconsistent with James 5:16.

¹⁶Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed.  The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

God had Job pray rather than Elihu, because Job alone in this book was righteous.

Based on the words of God from Job 1, 2 and 42, it is unlikely that God is speaking about Job in Job 38:2.

²Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?

God was speaking to Job about the one who had just finished speaking.  It should be clear to the reader that Elihu had crossed God.  What Elihu put forth was such an abomination that God did not speak directly to Elihu, initially.  Elihu was unworthy of God’s presence.

Again consider Job 42, God did not ask Job to pray for Elihu.  This is because Elihu had darkened the situation far beyond what Job’s friends had done.  The difference between Elihu and Job’s three friends was that Elihu’s heart condition was far gone.  Elihu’s intent was more willful as opposed to being out of ignorance.  Remember, it was Elihu that stated in Job 36:1-2.

¹Elihu also proceeded, and said, ²Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf.

Elihu, who claimed to speak on God’s behalf, ultimately took God’s name in vain.  Elihu spoke when he should have been silent.  Of course God spoke out of the whirlwind, He was not pleased with Elihu in the least bit.  God was furious with Elihu.

Finally, if Job was being chastised in Job 38, that leaves the reader in a precarious position.  That would mean along with Job’s three friends, he spoke incorrectly.  Elihu, who boasted and twisted Job’s words, would then be our best example.  That should leave the reader wondering what is the point.  Paul wrote in Romans 3:8.

⁸And not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

Elihu, who perverted Job’s words, would then be rewarded.  It would be the perfect example of the ends justifying the means.  Elihu, who showed little compassion for Job, who twisted Job’s words, who boasted of his wisdom, would be our example.  That would be counter the very teachings of the Bible.  One would then have to wonder, what is the point of the Book of Job?  All the book would have provided is confusion.  Thankfully so, this is not the case.  As such, I will proceed on the fact that God is referring to Elihu as the one who darkened counsel.

In Job 38:3, God continues to speak, but now it is directed towards Elihu.

³Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.

God has formally called Elihu on the carpet.  If Elihu is wise, he will fade from this as fast as possible.  Although God has stated that he will demand an answer of Elihu; no answer can lessen Elihu’s transgression.  Anything Elihu’s says can only make his situation worse.

A series of rhetorical questions follow in Job 38:4-11.  This is very similar to what Elihu did to Job in Job 36 and 37.

⁴Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.

To be asked this question by God, is to know His anger towards you.  God, who set everything in place, was there.  God is not asking, He is telling Elihu that you were not there.  God is using sarcasm at Elihu’s expense.  We are finite beings and should be carefully not to take God’s name in vain.  We should never speak beyond what we are given.  Elihu erred on both accounts.  He stated things that God never stated and then claimed it was God that told him.  Then Elihu went well beyond the knowledge that he was given.  Elihu fabricated his message to support his position.  It was Elihu who claimed to have perfect knowledge in Job 36:4.

⁴For truly my words shall not be false: he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee.

Elihu who claimed to have perfect knowledge is being given a chance to speak for himself and he is silent.

One must be careful not to assume more than they are allowed through scriptures.  Mankind, through the ages, has doubted the existence of God or assumed that they could speak in the place of God.  This is a grave mistake, as Elihu is learning.

From here to the end of Job 39, God will speak of creation.  God will start out speaking of the very foundations and work His way to items that are of a lesser degree.

Job 38:5-11

⁵Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? ⁶Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; ⁷When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? ⁸Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? ⁹When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it, ¹⁰And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, ¹¹And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

All should know the answer to these questions.  Elihu was not even a twinkle in his father’s eye.  Elihu had no part whatsoever in these events, nor did any other human.  So the real question should be, why would God ask such a question?

God is making a point with Elihu.  Elihu, who claimed to speak in God’s stead, has warranted the fury of God.  All the above has to do with the creation of the earth and the exactness with which God assembled the world.  Even today, few understand how God accomplished these tasks nor could any be duplicated by mankind.  If one could, mankind might be able to reverse the decaying process of the earth.  However, mankind’s best efforts have only made matters worse.  Our endless efforts have brought us no closer to understanding how God, in His infinite wisdom, accomplished this.

For Elihu, God is mocking him as Elihu did the same to Job.  Elihu understood very little of this, and presumed to speak in the place of God.  One should never try to be the intermediary for God.  There is only one mediator, Yeshua.

God continues to question Elihu in Job 38:12-24

¹²Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place; ¹³That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, that the wicked might be shaken out of it? ¹⁴It is turned as clay to the seal; and they stand as a garment. ¹⁵And from the wicked their light is withholden, and the high arm shall be broken. ¹⁶Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea? or hast thou walked in the search of the depth? ¹⁷Have the gates of death been opened unto thee? or hast thou seen the doors of the shadow of death? ¹⁸Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth? declare if thou knowest it all. ¹⁹Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, ²⁰That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? ²¹Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? ²²Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, ²³Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? ²⁴By what way is the light parted, which scattereth the east wind upon the earth?

God has changed his line of questioning.  No longer has God continued to reference the architecture of creation.  All know that Elihu was not present for creation.  Elihu was not even born.  However, God gives him the opportunity to speak of events that were during Elihu’s lifetime, events that occur almost daily.  Elihu, who previously declared his beliefs to others, is now silent.  This is because Elihu is only professing and not possessing of such knowledge as in the full depths of God.

Job 38:25-31

²⁵Who hath divided a watercourse for the overflowing of waters, or a way for the lightning of thunder; ²⁶To cause it to rain on the earth, where no man is; on the wilderness, wherein there is no man; ²⁷To satisfy the desolate and waste ground; and to cause the bud of the tender herb to spring forth? ²⁸Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew? ²⁹Out of whose womb came the ice? and the hoary frost of heaven, who hath gendered it? ³⁰The waters are hid as with a stone, and the face of the deep is frozen. ³¹Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion?

One thing that should be noted, Job stated in Job 9:1-3.

¹Then Job answered and said, ²I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? ³If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.

Job recognized early that one could not answer the questions that God could ask.  Then Job stated in Job 9:8-10.

⁸Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea. ⁹Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south. ¹⁰Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.

Job declared previously that only God could accomplish such wonders.  God would not waste his time asking Job the question in Job 38; Job already admitted that it was beyond him.  Job never tried to stand in the place of God as Elihu had.

Job 38:32-41

 ³²Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? ³³Knowest thou the ordinances of heaven? canst thou set the dominion thereof in the earth? ³⁴Canst thou lift up thy voice to the clouds, that abundance of waters may cover thee? ³⁵Canst thou send lightnings, that they may go, and say unto thee, Here we are? ³⁶Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart? ³⁷Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven, ³⁸When the dust groweth into hardness, and the clods cleave fast together? ³⁹Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions, ⁴⁰When they couch in their dens, and abide in the covert to lie in wait? ⁴¹Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat.

Of course none of us can do this, it is beyond our comprehension.  We can barely manage our own weaknesses, how could we do any of this?  Elihu is without a defense.

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