Dooley Noted: Answers we didn’t know we needed

Most readers of the Old Testament book of Job are drawn to its pages as active participants in the story rather than casual observers. God described Job as a blameless, upright man who feared the Lord and turned away from evil (Job 1:8). Yet, unbeknownst to the narrative’s main character, his life became a battleground to prove the glory of God after Satan mocks the notion of divine splendor (Job 1:8-12)

Lessons abound in the book’s familiar history, not the least of which is the reassurance that asking God why bad things happen is always permissible. The Lord invites us to bring our burdens to Him and we should never be afraid to do so (Matt. 11:28-30). Job’s desire to understand, however, slowly transformed into an eagerness to correct his Maker, despite his obvious inability to do so. Using the image of a courtroom, he acknowledged that no mortal is in a position to argue with God. Thus, he lamented, “If one wished to dispute with Him, he could not answer Him once in a thousand times (Job 9:3).” 

And therein lies the problem. Deep down we realize we cannot challenge any of God’s judgments, but we often are eager to do so nonetheless. “Why this, Lord?” is a desperate plea for comfort and wisdom as we stare down life’s most egregious circumstances. But, “What are YOU doing, Lord?” is a painful accusation that God’s decisions lack sound reasoning and compassion. The former seeks the strength and intervention of our Creator while the latter implies that He is not qualified, at least in our case, to render the verdict He chose. 

Though Job never questioned God’s power to act however He chooses, neither does he conclude that God is always right in what He does. Despite his inability to fathom the mind of God, Job still questioned the legitimacy of God’s behavior toward Him (Job 9:10-12). In other words, he was not only puzzled about God’s conduct, but he was disappointed in who God is also. Sadly, Job portrayed the Lord as a cruel bully before whom there is no defense. 

Finally, God speaks to his bludgeoned son out of a whirlwind (Job 38:1). His answer is not at all what we expect, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge (Job 38:3)?” Translation:  Who are you to speak such foolishness to me, Job? Hardly the compassionate solace we expected for a man who was hurting so severely. The Lord is even more aggressive with His corrective gaze as He continues, “Now gird up your loins like a man, and I will ask you, and you instruct Me (Job 38:3)!” Though Job wanted to put God on the witness stand, the tables turned and now he is the defendant in heaven’s courtroom. 

While these responses are not gentle, the relentless nature of their inquiries is instructive for us. Keep in mind that Job never rebelled against his Maker due to his traumatic agonies, and he refused to curse God despite the promptings of those closest to him. He did, however, call God’s judgment into question as he tried to process the hardship before him. The answer he received from the Lord, though shocking, is more comforting than he, and we, could ever imagine. 

And how did God answer Job? Not with a series of explanations, but with a list of His own questions. First, He used creation to illustrate who holds authority over the whole earth.  Allow me to paraphrase the divine interrogation (Job 38-39):

• Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth, Job?
• Did you measure its parameters?
• Did you establish its foundations?
• Did you hear the angels worship as I worked?
• Were you there when I set the boundaries for the sea?
• Do you command the light to illuminate each day?
• Have you been to the bottom of the ocean?
• Do you have any idea how big My creation is?
• Do you know where I store the snow and hail? 
• Or how I make them fall?
• Who guides the wind, the flood, and the thunderbolt?
• Can you make it rain?
• Can you throw lightning on the earth?
• Can you number the clouds and release their water?
• Can you turn dust into mud?
• How do you explain the constellations?
• Can you feed the lions?  Or the ravens?
• Do you help the goats and deer birth their young?  And care for them afterward?
• Do you know who sets wild donkeys free?
• Can you tame wild oxen?
• Who makes the ostrich dumb and fast?
• Do you give a horse its strength?  Or mane?  Or speed?  Or courage?
• Do you cause the hawk to soar?
• Did you teach the eagle to build his next in high places?

Feeling small yet? Do you see the point? We are never in a position to correct God—no matter how painful, tragic, or devastating life becomes—because HE IS GOD and we are not.  Strangely, this is more comforting than we expect it to be. Instead of finding answers to the particular questions we wrestle with, God reminds us that, though His ways are not our ways, He has quite a track record of ruling over the universe.

The assurance here is not that He allows us to understand the eternal method behind our momentary madness, but that He is more than capable of handling whatever it might be. Why? Because having God with us is better than any explanation He might offer. The freedom that comes from letting go is not a sign that our burdens do not matter, but that we could never comprehend the full scope of what God is doing in our lives. 

Dr. Adam B. Dooley is pastor of Englewood Baptist Church in Jackson, TN, and author of Hope When Life Unravels. Contact him at adooley@ebcjackson.org. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBDooley.