While spending many chapters arguing with his friends about the source of his pain; Job gains increasing clarity on some key issues: The sovereign power of God The goodness & justice of God The faithfulness of his own heart

Job wishes to hear from God about his pain. Job is finally sure that beyond the grave he will meet God as a Redeemer and not an angry Judge. He will be redeemed from all his misery—even if it will only be after death. This confidence does not answer all Job's questions or solve all his theological problems. He still is utterly perplexed as to why he should have to suffer as he does. Above all else… Job wishes to hear from God about his pain.

1 Then the Lord answered Job from within a whirlwind. He said: 2 “Who is this that questions My wisdom     with such ignorant words? 3 Brace yourself like a man,     because I have some questions for you,     and you must answer them.”

In Job 38 & 39, God begins the process of “answering” Job’s complaints and questions about the suffering that he has endured…but it’s not the answer that Job had hoped for or expected. Instead of a personal explanation for Job, God goes into explicit detail in giving His Résumé as the Creator & Sustainer of all life, on Earth and in the Universe.

Job 40: 1-5 The Lord said to Job: 2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?     Let him who accuses God answer Him!” 3 Then Job answered the Lord: 4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?     I put my hand over my mouth. 5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—     twice, but I will say no more.”

Job 40: 6-8 6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: 7 “Brace yourself like a man;     I will question you,     and you shall answer Me. 8 “Would you discredit My justice?     Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?”

In Job 40 & 41, God continues the process of “answering” Job’s complaints. Just like Job and his friends have been “exhaustive” in their conversation, so will God be long in His defense. Instead of a broad description of how He is the Creator & Sustainer of all life, God now focuses on how He alone can control two of the “monsters” of the ancient world: the Behemoth & the Leviathan.

Job 42: 1-3, 5-6 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2 “I know that You can do all things;     no purpose of Yours can be thwarted. 3… Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know. 5 My ears had heard of You     but now my eyes have seen You. 6 Therefore I despise myself     and repent in dust and ashes.”

God begins Job’s “healing” by asking him to do a difficult thing: Pray for the same friends who have spent so much time fighting with & doubting him.

Job 42: 10-17 After obeying God, Job becomes very blessed again… relationally and financially. This doesn’t remove the pain of the past, but does show that God blesses His faithful ones eventually.

“All [Job’s] brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.”

Job want the same answer we all do in our seasons of suffering: “Why?” Last week, we talked about how knowing “Where” God’s Story is going can bring us peace in the midst of our pain. This week, God answers Job’s question… not with a “Why”, but with a “Who”.

One Last Job… 1.) Has God corrected you recently? How did you respond? 2.) Does nature/worship put you in awe of God? 3.) Do you view all things as God’s, including your life? Which things are “off-limits”? 4.) After Job’s trials, correction, & repentance; abundant blessings came from the Lord. What blessings have you received following similar seasons of life? Have you thanked God?