Can man judge God?
(i) Words Without Knowledge
“Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
“Who is this that darkens counsel
By words without knowledge?
“Now gird up your loins like a man,
And I will ask you, and you instruct Me!” (Job 38:1 – 3)
(ii) Wicked Punished – Gates of Death & Darkness
““From the wicked their light is withheld,
And the uplifted arm is broken.
“Have you entered into the springs of the sea
Or walked in the recesses of the deep?
“Have the gates of death been revealed to you,
Or have you seen the gates of deep darkness?
“Have you understood the expanse of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know all this.” (Job 38:15 – 18)
(iii) Can we?
God asks:
“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades,
Or loose the cords of Orion?
“Can you lead forth a constellation in its season,
And guide the Bear with her satellites?
“Do you know the ordinances of the heavens,
Or fix their rule over the earth?
“Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
So that an abundance of water will cover you?
“Can you send forth lightnings that they may go
And say to you, ‘Here we are’?” (Job 38:31 – 35)
(iv) Wisdom
“Who has put wisdom in the innermost being
Or given understanding to the mind?
“Who can count the clouds by wisdom,
Or tip the water jars of the heavens,” (Job 38:36 – 37)
(v) Why Cruel?
An Analogy from nature: made to ‘forget wisdom’
“She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers;
Though her labor be in vain, she is unconcerned;
Because God has made her forget wisdom,
And has not given her a share of understanding.” (Job 39:16 – 17)
(vi) Our Human Opinions
Does our personal human understanding and command matter?
“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,
Stretching his wings toward the south?
“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
And makes his nest on high?” (Job 39:26 – 27)
(vii) Finding Fault
Can one really find Fault with God or able to Answer when He reveals?
“Then the LORD said to Job,
“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it.”
Then Job answered the LORD and said,
“Behold, I am insignificant; what can I reply to You?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
“Once I have spoken, and I will not answer;
Even twice, and I will add nothing more.” (Job 40:1 – 5)
“Will you really annul My judgment?
Will you condemn Me that you may be justified?
“Or do you have an arm like God,
And can you thunder with a voice like His?
“Adorn yourself with eminence and dignity,
And clothe yourself with honor and majesty.
“Pour out the overflowings of your anger,
And look on everyone who is proud, and make him low.
“Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him,
And tread down the wicked where they stand.
“Hide them in the dust together;
Bind them in the hidden place.
“Then I will also confess to you,
That your own right hand can save you.” (Job 40:8 – 14)
(viii) No one
God speaks:
“No one is so fierce that he dares to arouse him;
Who then is he that can stand before Me?
“Who has given to Me that I should repay him?
Whatever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” (Job 41:10 – 11)
“There is no wisdom and no understanding And no counsel against the LORD.” (Proverbs 21:30)
(ix) Let’s be like Job
“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 declared that which I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.”
‘Hear, now, and I will speak;
I will ask You, and You instruct me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear;
But now my eye sees You;
Therefore I retract,
And I repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 42:1 – 6)
(x)
The Warning: Our words regarding God
Let us speak rightly about God or endure our own incorrect words spoken too early without knowledge:
“It came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.
“Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, and go to My servant Job, and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves, and My servant Job will pray for you. For I will accept him so that I may not do with you according to your folly, because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.”
So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD told them; and the LORD accepted Job.” (Job 42:7 – 9)
“How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers (mockers)!” (Psalm 1:1)
“If you are wise, you are wise for your own benefit; if you mock, you alone will bear the consequences.” (Proverbs 9:12)
“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” (Galatians 6:7)
“For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” – Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 12:37)
Who will accuse you?
The one ‘you trust’:
“Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope.” – Lord Jesus Christ (John 5:45)
(xi) The Holy One – God and not man
“I will not execute My fierce anger; I will not destroy Ephraim again. For I am God and not man, the Holy One in your midst, And I will not come in wrath.” (Hosea 11:9)
(xii) The Conclusion for Complete Judgment
“on the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:16)
“Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)
“Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.” (Proverbs 3:7)
