The God Pause from The Luther Seminary in Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States for Monday, 18 June 2018 - Job 38:1-11
Job 38:1 Then Adonai answered Iyov out of the storm:
2 “Who is this, darkening my plans
with his ignorant words?
3 Stand up like a man, and brace yourself;
I will ask questions; and you, give the answers!
4 “Where were you when I founded the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Do you know who determined its dimensions
or who stretched the measuring line across it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind closed doors
when it gushed forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its blanket
and dense fog its swaddling cloth,
10 when I made the breakers its boundary
set its gates and bars,
11 and said, ‘You may come this far, but no farther;
here your proud waves must stop’? (Complete Jewish Bible).
Job 38:1 Then Adonai answered Iyov out of the storm:
2 “Who is this, darkening my plans
with his ignorant words?
3 Stand up like a man, and brace yourself;
I will ask questions; and you, give the answers!
4 “Where were you when I founded the earth?
Tell me, if you know so much.
5 Do you know who determined its dimensions
or who stretched the measuring line across it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together,
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Who shut up the sea behind closed doors
when it gushed forth from the womb,
9 when I made the clouds its blanket
and dense fog its swaddling cloth,
10 when I made the breakers its boundary
set its gates and bars,
11 and said, ‘You may come this far, but no farther;
here your proud waves must stop’? (Complete Jewish Bible).
***
For the past thirty-seven chapters, God has said nothing to Job. Job has suffered unimaginable loss. He has lost his children, his wealth and his physical well-being--all because of a divine wager between God and Satan. The reader knows that God has allowed this tragedy as a way of proving to Satan Job's faithful character; but all of this is hidden to Job. Though Job prays for a response from God, the divine silence continues.
In times of suffering, we also demand answers. After national tragedies and scandals we leave no stone unturned trying to find a cause. Far too often a satisfying explanation eludes us. The cause of Job's suffering remains hidden from him, but God does not. Though Job does not get the answer he is looking for, he does encounter God profoundly and personally--and this is sufficient for him.
Holy God, do not keep silent in my suffering, but speak, so that I may find peace in you. Amen.
2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone
7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?--
9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors,
11 and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped'? (Complete Jewish Bible).
For the past thirty-seven chapters, God has said nothing to Job. Job has suffered unimaginable loss. He has lost his children, his wealth and his physical well-being--all because of a divine wager between God and Satan. The reader knows that God has allowed this tragedy as a way of proving to Satan Job's faithful character; but all of this is hidden to Job. Though Job prays for a response from God, the divine silence continues.
In times of suffering, we also demand answers. After national tragedies and scandals we leave no stone unturned trying to find a cause. Far too often a satisfying explanation eludes us. The cause of Job's suffering remains hidden from him, but God does not. Though Job does not get the answer he is looking for, he does encounter God profoundly and personally--and this is sufficient for him.
Holy God, do not keep silent in my suffering, but speak, so that I may find peace in you. Amen.
John Guthridge, '15
Pastor, Immanuel Lutheran Church, Grandview, Wash.
Job 38:1 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:2 "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements--surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone
7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
8 "Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?--
9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors,
11 and said, "Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped'? (Complete Jewish Bible).
The Luther Seminary
2481 Como Avenue
Saint Paul, Minnesota, 55108, United State
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