Why?: A Study Through JobSample

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said . . . “—Job 40:6 (NKJV)

Understandably, Job was confused as to why God would allow his life to be shaken, turned upside-down, and torn apart. He even began to challenge God from his earthly vantage point. Then God appears, and the question of “Why?” fades away. The answer that seemed so important before becomes incidental in light of God’s presence.

But the account doesn’t end there. God has a few more things to say. In fact, there’s one indelible point He wants to make with Job, and He does so by asking a series of questions: “Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His?” (Job 40:7-9 NKJV).

Now, before we go any further, it bears reminding that whenever God asks a question, it isn’t really a question. He isn’t asking because He lacks knowledge. He already knows all that is knowable! So, the question is really a statement dressed in the garments of a question. He does this so the person on the other end of it (in this case Job) will take it in and put it through the filter by which they process things. It’s a way of driving a truth deeper into one’s understanding.

So, what is that truth, what is that statement that God wants to make to Job? God is reminding Job of how small he is in relation to God. Job can’t condemn God. He doesn’t have an arm like God, and his voice doesn’t thunder like God’s. It’s all revealing Job’s smallness. God wants Job acutely aware of this. Why? Is God on some power trip and enjoys rubbing Job’s nose in his own weakness? No, just the opposite. 

God deeply and desperately loves Job so He brings him face to face with the blessed reality that he is small. Because until he sees his smallness, he won’t be able to fully see God’s greatness; which is a greatness that is all he will ever need as he rests in it. 

It’s like God is saying, “Job, you’re weak, you’re small, but it’s alright because I’m everything that you’re not, and I’m so for you!”

What’s true for Job is true for us, as well. May we embrace our smallness so we can see and take refuge in God’s greatness. 

DIG: Why does God ask questions?

DISCOVER: What statement is God making with Job? How do you factor into what God was teaching Job?

DO: In your prayers today, acknowledge your smallness before the Lord and worship Him in His grandness.