Unit 1 LESSON 6

July 6, 2025

Study Text: Job 38:1 through 41:34

             Central Truth: God often gives a revelation of himself during difficult times.

KEY VERSE: Job 38:1,3 The LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said . . . Gird up how thy loins loke a man; for I will demand of thee and answer thou me (KJV).

The LORD answered Job from the whirlwind . . . "Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them"(NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

People often rely on their first impressions of each other's--, we each have an impression of who God is because of the things we've experienced. But whether we've been following God for just a few days or many decades, there is always more to learn about Him. Throughout his speeches, Job revealed his impression of who God is. Job was willing to face the terror of God's presence to receive vindication. Job's prayers were about to be answered and his misconceptions about God were about to be corrected. 

PART 1- God Speaks from the Whirlwind

Brace Yourself!        Job 38:1-11

In Chapter 2 and 12:9, the author used God's divine name, Yahweh, in Job 38:1. In the four chapters that follow, God appeared to Job in a whirlwind and spoke directly to him. Gid's tone appears to be severe and even ironic at times as he puts Job in his proper place. God's first words to Job were not to defend His own decisions, but to question Job's understanding (verse 2). First, God called Job to brace himself for what He was about to say (verse 3). Job's claims against God had been based on a limited understanding of how God operates and how the world works. God reminded Job who was divine and who was merely human. Job hadn't been there when God laid out the foundations of the earth, when He measured and planned its dimensions, when put its supports in place, and when the stars and angels rejoiced that it had been created (verses 4-7). Not only that, but God was the One who created and controls the sea (verses 8-11). How dare Job question His wisdom and judgment?

Discuss? Share about a time when you realized that your understanding of God was way off.?

Illustrating God's Power                      Job 38:12-21

Imagine Job standing before the storming presence of Almighty God as He explained how His miraculous power causes each day to dawn (Job 38:12-15). God's rhetorical questions completely dismantle Job's limited understanding. God is the One who commands each morning to appear (verse 12). God holds authority over what happens in the moral realm as well as the physical. He is the just Judge who oversees all. God next questioned Job about his understanding of the depths of the sea (verses 16-18). God continued His line of questioning in verses 19--21. If Job knew so much, he surely would know where light and darkness came from. God's purpose was to compare His infinite perspective with Job's decidedly limited perspective.

 Discuss?  How do God's questions to Job affect your view of God Your relationship to God?

Part 2-- God Challenges Job's Wisdom

The Wisdom of Creation                        Job 39:26-30

God's challenge in Job 39:26-30 is connected to the wisdom of the hawk and eagle. The hawk is described as spreading its wings to the south (verse 26). God was challenging Job's ability to understand the hawk's instincts. was it Job's wisdom that taught them when to migrate and where to stay? Of course not. That mystery is entirely within God's control. From the hawk, God switched his focus to the eagle (verses 27-30). Eagles build nests in rocky crags, where they can easily detect prey with their keen eyesight. God was the One who created them with this wisdom. Glimpsing the infinite scope of God's wisdom should build our confidence and faith in Him and His Word God has taken so much care with His creation that it should give us confidence in His love and care to us.

DISCUSS? Read Matthew 10:29-31. How do Jesus' words relate God's knowledge of creation to how He relates to us?

                "I Have Said Too Much Already"           Job 40:1-5

After making a detailed, irrefutable case for His own power, knowledge, and sovereignty, God invited Job's response, asking whether Job still wanted to argue with Him (Job 40:1-2). Job's reply was uncharacteristically brief. Presented with God's perspective in God's presence, Job realized his own words were insufficient (verses 4-5). Regardless of the thoughts and feelings he may have been experiencing, Job's few words indicate he had been humbled in the presence of God. Isaih 6 is a similar reaction. The prophet--God's mouthpiece--reacted to God's presence by saying, "Woe to me! . . . I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty." Entering God's presence shifts our perspective, alleviating our confusion and reorienting our posture.

DISCUSS? How do you think Job felt standing in God's presence and being asked to answer His questions?

      Part 3- God Challenges Job's Strength

Brace Yourself Again!      Job 40:6-9

Human beings can never completely understand the decisions of the all-powerful, all-knowing God. Yet Job had questioned God's actions and challenged God's justice. In Job's mind, he didn't deserve all that had happened to him, so God must have done something wrong. In Job 40:8, God confronted Job with the central question of this portion of the book: "Will you discredit my Justice and condemn me just to prove you are right>" Indeed, who but God has the right to condemn and offer judgment? We may question why God didn't keep certain things from happening to us. But pain and death are inevitable in this broken, sinful world. But we have God's word and presence to give us courage and hope. We can learn from Job's experience and entrust ourselves to the perfect justice of God.

Discuss?  What are some of the differences between God's perspective and ours?

Who Can Judge?                  Job 40:10-14

God challenged Job to prove his own power, since he claimed to have authority to make judgments at God's level. God sharply called Job to display his glory, splendor, honor, and majesty (40:10) and to let his anger overflow against people who abuse justice and prey on the weak (verses 11-14). Could God correct the mistakes he believed God had made? Was his plan better than God's? God described His awe-inspiring power so Job would recognize his own limitations and trust God. When we read the Book of Job, we should come to the same understanding. When things happen that seem unjust and do not make sense, we can turn to God, knowing He holds justice in His hands. The prophet Isaiah encouraged God's people by saying, "The LORD is a faithful God. Blessed are those who wait for his help" (Isaiah 30:18).

Discuss? What do you think determines the right or wrong way to bring questions to God?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US?

So much happens in this life that we don't understand. Instead of giving in to confusion and fear, we can exercise our faith. We can be assured that God is faithful, just, and good. So we can rest confidently in His character. Even though we may not have the power to make things right, we can have peace and strength even in the middle of tragedy. We may not know the reasons why, but we know God. And that is enough.

LIVING IT OUT

If you know someone who is grieving or struggling, ask the Holy Spirit to show you how to encourage, comfort, support, or even challenge them.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

              Monday: God speaks to Abraham. Genesis 12:1-9

              Tuesday: God Calls to Samuel. 1 Samuel 3:2-14

                     Wednesday:  God whispers to Elijah. 1King 19:9-13

                               Thursday: God the Father Speaks to Jesus. Luke 3:21-22 

Friday. Jesus' Parting Words. Acts 1:6-11

               Saturday: The Final Word. Revelation 22:12-17

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 106 Number 4. Jun. Jul. Aug 2025