Thursday: The Lord Answered Job
Read Job 38:1-41. What does this teach us about God, not just as the Creator but as the Sustainer of all life? How should this important truth impact how we understand the arts and sciences?
“Many teach that matter possesses vital power – that certain properties are imparted to matter, and it is then left to act through its own inherent energy; and that the operations of nature are conducted in harmony with fixed laws, with which God Himself cannot interfere. This is false science, and is not sustained by the word of God.
Image © Dave OConnell at Goodsalt.com
Nature is the servant of her Creator … . Nature testifies of an intelligence, a presence, an active energy, that works in and through her laws. There is in nature the continual working of the Father and the Son. Christ says, ‘My Father worketh hitherto, and I work.’ John 5:17.” — Ellen G. White, Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 114.
Unfortunately, as stated earlier, so much of science works on atheistic, materialist presuppositions. This means, then, that a scientist could be staring at something of the utmost beauty, of the utmost complexity, even of both the utmost beauty and complexity together, and yet claim that it arose by chance, with no forethought or intention behind it.
This is, in fact, what science claims all the time. Life on earth, in all its beauty and complexity – from butterflies to humans – is explained as nothing but the result of chemicals billions of years ago forming by chance into simple life that, through random mutation and natural selection, evolved into all that lives and moves and breathes today.
Science, as now constituted, argues that the very idea of a supernatural Creator is “unscientific,” since it cannot be tested scientifically, and thus it is a notion that science cannot deal with. This presupposition is not anything that science itself teaches (in fact, science would seem to teach the opposite: all the beauty and complexity of the world do, indeed, point to a Creator), but is, instead, a philosophical position imposed upon the discipline by scientists themselves.
The problem, however, is that Scripture teaches that God not only created everything but that He sustains everything, as well. This means that any true Christian education in science would have to work from radically different assumptions than what science in general claims. Inevitably, clashes will occur, especially when it comes to origins.
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I hope that many of you will take the time to read Job 38 today. I am sorry that the lesson authors did not take the time to comment on the literature. It is fine literature and if you are reading it in the King James version it reads well - a testament to the fact that that translators took their mandate seriously to ensure that the text would sound well when read in churches. Some of the other translations set the words out in a more poetic form. Of course, all of the translations have lost the original metre that would have enhanced its expression in the original Hebrew.
So much for the literature (the arts; now for the science. God poses a series of questions about mysteries. The way of the tides, gravitational pull, the wind, the placement of the stars in the heavens and so on. Many of us look at this conversation and thin that God is saying to Job, "Look how little you know! You don't even come near to explaining the problem of pain." I see it rather differently, perhaps because I have a scientific mind. Perhaps it is an invitation to learn and develop our understanding. It is interesting to read through those questions and see how much we have learned in the meantime. We can explain the tides. We know about gravity and can describe in by space-time curvature, We can describe the movement of the stars in the Pleiades group and can even say how different they would have been in Job's time.
But, do we know God any better? Or have we diminished his domain by increasing our knowledge?
I love the poetry of Job 38 also. I see that when God responded after letting Job and his friends really think and talk themselves out, He didn't offer answers - He just offered Himself.
We get caught up in questions and answers a lot. And really all our souls long for is reminders of God's character - His sovereign power, His tenderness, His faithfulness. Especially when we are suffering, as Job was, we can't even handle statistics. When I had cancer I went through a year of research to determine the best course, surgery or no. (I'm well now, thank you.) But mostly I was frozen at "what?". I kept trying to settle things through knowledge, but in the end I just had to make a choice.
Jesus had just fed the 4,000. Then AFTER THAT the Pharisees asked Jesus for a sign from heaven. Then AFTER THAT the disciples started worrying about running out of food again. Jesus was incredulous. "Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign?", He asks, "Why are you talking about having no bread? Do you still not see or understand? Are your hearts hardened?" (Mark 8:12,17). Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and it was that "miraculous sign" that sealed the deal in the chief priests' and Pharisees' plot to take His life! (John 11:47-48).
Seeing is not always believing. It doesn't matter how many signs. If we want to doubt the existence of a Creator and Sustainer no amount of "proof" will help. Conversely, if we want to believe in a Creator and Sustainer no amount of science will shake our belief. Faith is a choice.
The artist Dave OConnell used the discussion between Jesus and Nicodemus recorded in John 3 to create today's illustration.
Can you tie up the words & pictures?
You must be born again - a caterpillar becomes a butterfly
You must be born of water and the Spirit
The Spirit is like the wind - you can see the result of the leaves blowing but not the actual wind
Just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up
Art and Science have many benefits, let us concentrate on those and Praise the LORD for inspiring the minds and hearts of people to improve our lives.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Matt 7:15
The Lord Answered Job
When Job rich and well educated friends came to him they thought they had the correct questions and answers for him. Job must have done something wrong/bad to be in that predicament. The Lord was aware and was in ever moment of Job sorrows. It was time for him to speak. Where were you when I- says the Lord.
Many today tries to subvert truth. Many tries to go against the Almighty plans and teach others to disobey God. Many supports the wrong in exchange of the right. Because many have rejected truth when light is come to them, they will accept the darkness. Pray that we will accept Christ as the light of this world. Many will try to please others even in wrong. It they cant explain the reasoning behind the problem, then it must be not true.
2 Thessalonians 2:10.
How fragile and weak is our own point of view about Nature itself! We, humans, certainly see that beauty and perfection of this world and the Universe around it is probably disturbed by our own experiences! Just look at the fact that today's new technology has to fulfill at least what we try to call self-sustainability! Eventhough with all the knowledge we say we have acquired over the thousands of years of this world's evolution, we have not yet solved the problem of what we ourselves have caused to Nature unbalance! Mankind is destroying the very Nature that is totally dependent on!
I had a heartful amen to the previous postings- some good solid words in support of art and science biblical worldview!
Here are my 2 cents for today: while once again, I felt something lacking in the lesson about the beauty and value of the arts and sciences found in the Bible and how we Christians can be in support of it, there was Job 38 which directly used Socrates questioning to lead Job (and us) to think rather than verbalize answers. Every question had the same answer...God. He was/is the Master Craftsman, Creator, Artist, Scientist, Research...
Even in our sinful world, there is beauty amidst the complexity of life and if we "see" the beauty using the lens of honoring God, we will indeed be blessed. Thus, for me, the whole sum of arts and sciences is found below.
1Peter 4:10-11 (NRSV)
"Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve one another with whatever gift each of you has received. Whoever speaks must do so as one speaking the very words of God; whoever serves must do so with the strength that God supplies, so that God may be glorified in all things through Jesus Christ. To him belong the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen."
“Every question has the same answer .... God”. To “see using the lens of honoring God”. Amen, Beth! I’m beginning to see more clearly how human wisdom can be used as a ladder to climb into the presence of God and boast of our achievements. Human wisdom that is tainted with self-reliance and doubt is merely a projection of our fallenness.
I really don't think that Beth was implying a reliance on self in studing the beauty of science and the arts. For that matter Maurice with ornithology, math, and all the plethora of science, and the Bible, his knowledge reflects God's character. I am reminded about science, arts, and nature filling us and helping us to see, visualize if you prefer, the character of God. I look at good science and good arts as an extension of nature. Science and the arts are a revelation of nature, a witness also if you will, of God's love. Further on down the blog is an example of: Ephesians 3:19. Testified by Robert Lopez.
Now! "Nature and revelation alike testify of God's love. Our Father in heaven is the source of life, of wisdom, and of joy. Look at the wonderful and beautiful things of nature. Think of their marvelous adaptation to the needs and happiness, not only of man, but of all living creatures. The sunshine and the rain, that gladden and refresh the earth, the hills and seas and plains, all speak to us of the Creator's love. It is God who supplies the daily needs of all His creatures. In the beautiful words of the psalmist—
"The eyes of all wait upon Thee;And Thou givest them their meat in due season.Thou openest Thine hand,And satisfiest the desire of every living thing."" Psalm 145:15, 16. SC 9.1 - SC 9.2
There is that word beauty. "Look at(see) the wonderful and beautiful things of nature." We then ask the Lord for his wisdom.
"Lord, take my heart; for I cannot give it. It is Thy property. Keep it pure, for I cannot keep it for Thee. Save me in spite of myself, my weak, unchristlike self. Mold me, fashion me, raise me into a pure and holy atmosphere, where the rich current of Thy love can flow through my soul." COL 159.3
With this relationship we are a vessel of EMF's radiating God's love. Not harmful but therapeutic EMF's, if we don't shun this treatment that brings peace and joy to our souls. Now 1Peter 4: 10 and 11 is fulfilled without boasting of our own achievements. We edify ourselves, in science, arts, and nature to the glory God, helping us to experience the love of God, even though it is to great to understand fully.
Yes God offered Himself even through His words of poetry to Job, so that we may have the power to offer Him through ourselves to others.
And the class said: "exactly".
Beth, Maurice, Esther, Robert,...hang in there, don't become scarce.
Oh yes, thank you for that clarification, John! What I meant by "wisdom tainted with self-reliance" was that sometimes we use our creativity and rational thinking to feel like we ourselves are the pinnacle of understanding. We "lean on our own understanding." I fully agree with Beth's comment about the beauty and value of the arts and sciences. The arts and sciences are a gift, it's just that we can be careful not to get puffed up by any beauty and creativity reflecting through us, like Lucifer did. I think we are given a choice to use the arts and sciences as a lens through which to accurately see the character of God or through which to erroneously see our own greatness.
Joining you in thanking all the regular contributors on this site. This week was my first time to post daily...it is a lot of work and those that have been doing it a long time have the gift of endurance for sure!
The idea that everything that exists just happened randomly is scientific nonsense to me. When baking bread, for example, you can't just dump the ingredients in a pan and bake it and expect to get bread. You must precisely follow the steps. If the water is too warm or cold, the yeast won't work; if ypur ingredients are out of proportion, or you don't knead the dough, or allow it to rise, or the oven temperature is wrong, you will not have good results. Just so is God's creation; every step is precisely followed and every created thing is fearfully and wonderfully made. It's absurd to deny that there is a Creator if you truly study and ponder creation.
We spend some time talking about the impossibility of evolution and thrill to the subject of Job's inability to answer God's questions from an eye witness point of view. I wonder if cultural literature with explanations that indeed give information are to be reckoned with. There are several sources of this type. We can visit Islam, Mythology and even those who believe it was aliens that made our world! How the elephant got it's trunk, is one of a series by Rudyard Kipling. How did Zeus use his power? Mythology has what we may see is opposite to our view. Many of these stories and others have a creator, but not the Biblical Creator. Is it because literature (books,television,etc.) as less damaging than the concept of evolution that we barely mention their impact?
Hello Priscilla - you ask a great question that, if evaluated carefully, will give insight into why so many believers do not fully appreciate the awesomeness of the Creator's intricate work as He formed the universes and all things in them.
Non-critical consumption of Books, television, etc. is more damaging to the mind than being exposed to outright statements demarcating the boundaries of evolution; their influence is more subtle because, by relating to them as 'entertainment', we might let our guard down and open our mind to sources that slowly condition it toward accepting 'fantacy' as more realistic than the Word of God depicts His own Creation.
Job 38:1,2KJV – “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
(2) “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?”
I am amazed at the intricate details of the questions posed to Job. The scope of the lack of knowledge can be seen by the questions the LORD ask Job to answer; they do not only address energy, form and diversity of creation, they also address the inner workings of the creature’s soul - Job38:41KJV; Job39:13-18KJV.
The account's poetic language should not take away from the intelligence and seriousness of these questions and I wonder how today’s scientist would answer them. Every word chosen expresses a deeper meaning; they represent the fundamental questions which go to the heart of the differing world views - Creation and Evolution.
Job 42:1-6KJV – Then Job answered the LORD and said:
“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it know to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
Again, wisdom and understanding is the key which unlocks the mystery how to decide the answer which world view is the right one.
Job 38:15KJV – “From the wicked their light is withheld, and their uplifted arm is broken.”
Job 38:36KJV – “Who has put wisdom in the inward parts or given understanding to the mind?
I am curious about a passage for which I solicit clarification from those 'in the know' :-). Job 38:31,32 mentions the 'Pleiades, Orion, Mazzaroth and the Bear with its children'. Were these their names at the time when the book of Job was written?
These constellations and star clusters were well known in ancient civilisations, albeit by different names. Many of them were used by seafaring nations as navigation guides. Orion was known as the Shepherd in Babylonian culture and the Polynesians had a name for it that reflected the idea that it was a string figure that we call the Cat's Cradle. The Hebrew name for Orion was Kesil, literally the Fool, although the name is more likely linked to the ninth month of the Hebrew year.
The Pleiades in a star cluster, well known because of its rather unique appearance. They are a group of stars that appear to glow a bit because of some surrounding nebulosity. This made them easy to identify and use for navigation purposes. The name Pleiades is of Greek origin and literally means to sail. Apparently, its appearance in the eastery sky set the beginning of the season when it was safe to sail in the Mediterranean.
The English translators simply crossmatched the names in Hebrew with those that were used in their day (and still used today) for the same constellations and star clusters.
Wonderful !! Thank you very much for the detailed explanation, Maurice! The discoveries of the disciplines of sciences in ancient times must have been at least as exciting to those people as the present discoveries are for us, if not more! 🙂 To God be the Glory for the wonders He has manifested!
I studied Biology, which was basically evolution theory, in college. After being baptized and accepting the truth of creation. The concepts I had learned in my secular education suddenly made sense. The ingredients for life on Earth were in perfect proportion and balance - and fragile. One missing component, no matter how small or obscure in life’s sustaining chain, would mean no life - period! It’s like the small metal connector clip that cost a fraction of a cent that broke off in my multi-thousand dollar-value car and left it as only a pile of metal, glass, rubber and plastic. The complexity of my automobile pales in comparison to the activity designed into a single living cell whose reactions require every ingredient supplied by the creator to function. Throw on top of that the same supreme “engineer” who installed a brilliant four amino acid-based program to control and replicate life’s cycles and all doubt regarding intelligent design vanishes.
E.G. White in her book Education Chapter 10 - God and Nature writes - "Upon all created things is seen the impress of the Deity. Nature testifies of God. The susceptible mind, brought in contact with the miracle and mystery of the universe, cannot but recognize the working of infinite power. To him who learns thus to interpret its teachings, all nature becomes illuminated; the world is a lesson book."