Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action1 like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
The last chapters of Job are magnificent in every sense of the word. The revelation in chapters 38-41 is not the words of a prophet or a seer, nor is this Job speaking on behalf of God. What we have is the very words of God being recorded where He unleashes a barrage of questions for Job. God reveals much about Himself by exposing Job to the secrets of creation. He reveals truth about Himself that is matched nowhere else in the Scriptures and that revelation is majestic and overwhelming!
God takes the approach of asking Job questions with the expressed desire that Job should teach God how the world around him came into being and how it works. God calls Job to attention and demands a response. Then God unleashes a series of questions that exponentially overwhelm Job with a reality check that is impossible for Job to respond.
Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
God affirms that He is responsible for creating the world and He is personally responsible for laying the foundation. He measured out its dimensions, its contours, and its substance. He is accountable for bringing into existence the raw material and then shaping them perfectly into a world that is perfectly suitable for humanity. God speaks of His brilliant, creative handiwork in terms of human understanding. He asked Job how the foundation or bases were sunk to sustain this existence. He asks “who laid its cornerstone” – notice God does not ask how it came about but “who laid it” – another claim that only an intelligent being had the power to bring this world into existence, not some inanimate ooze, without any intentional catalyst, accidentally started evolving to create something far beyond its own capacity.
The staggering detail of creating an environment a perfect distance from the sun, a breathable atmosphere, and a world that can be cultivated to sustain life is truly beyond our ability to comprehend. God alone is the architect, the designer and the one who is responsible for all this.
Notice the last phrase, “when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy”. All of the angels of God rejoiced at the magnificence of God’s handiwork. They had the privilege to personally see God create all this. We would normally think that this would be fairly pedestrian for angels after all they get the chance to actually be in the presence of the Godhead. But even they celebrated as if they were stunned by the genius of God.
What an amazing privilege we will have when we step into the presence of God one day and be able to celebrate all that God has done, from His creation to the cross to the consummation of all things in Christ. We will see Him just as He is, and we will be able to celebrate His divine genius as if we were personally present to see it happen ourselves. The key would be to value that truth now, in such a way that we learn to celebrate God now rather than waiting to see Him face to face. What an encouragement for us to know that we are not just random accidents or the product of unintelligent coincidence. We are not alone in the world and we are greatly loved despite of who we are. We can confidently claim to know the creator of the universe because we have come to know His Son – Jesus Christ.
Pastor Brad
