(Job 38:1-7) Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm.  He said: “Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?  Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” 

“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand.  Who marked off its dimensions?  Surely you know!  Who stretched a measuring line across it?  On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?”

The story of Job provides us with insight into mankind’s relationship with his creator.  Job suffered great loss including his children, wealth and health.  In his suffering he questioned why God would allow him to suffer all these great tragedies. The Lord responded by questioning Job. He continued for four chapters questioning Job about the different parts of creation. He was illuminating information about creation to which Job had no knowledge.  God the creator was clarifying for his created one the obvious difference between them. 

For Job, the tragedy and suffering he experienced at the hand of God was extreme, but it was a time of testing that God knew Job would faithfully endure.  Through his difficulties, Job grew in his understanding of God’s sovereignty over his creation.

After his testing, Job responded to God’s questioning with these words: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.   You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.”

Job faithfully endured his time of testing. He did not turn his back on God, and God rewarded him with even greater success then he had before.  It’s a prodigious story that helps us remember who God is and who we are.  He is all powerful, and we are not.  He is our loving Father who cares for us, and though he trains us through times of trouble, in the end, we have a great reward if we remain faithful.