Lesson 11 for December 10, 2016 OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND

“Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” (Job 38:3) God answers (Job 38:1). God’s question (Job 38:2-3). God introduces Himself as the Creator (Job 38:4-41). God appeals to Job’s wisdom (Job 39). Job’s answer (Job 42:1-6).

“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind.” (Job 38:1) GOD ANSWERS God showed up in an unexpected and spectacular way after Elihu’s speech. God spoke to Job behind a whirlwind. He showed Himself to Job like He did to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Genesis 15:1-6; 26:4; 32:24-32). God knows the sorrows of His children. He wants to show Himself to us personally to relieve our suffering. “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind.” (Job 38:1) That is why He walked as a person like us, He suffered like we do and He opened a “new and living way” so we could reach Him (Hebrews 10:20). No matter our sorrows, our troubles, or whatever we face in this life, we can have the assurance that God is near and that we can trust Him.

GOD’S QUESTION “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me.” (Job 38:2-3) “Who told you that you were naked?” (Genesis 3:11). “Where is Abel your brother? (Genesis 4:9). “What are you doing here, Elijah?” (1 Kings 19:9). “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” (Acts 9:4). God’s first words to Job didn’t sound very encouraging: “Why do you speak without knowledge?” He challenged Job to answer His questions. Since He already knew Job couldn’t answer them, why did He ask them? God’s questions aren’t supposed to make us know more. His questions are designed to make us reflect so we can get to the right conclusion.

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […] for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV) Job 38:4-7 Job 38:8-11 Job 38:12-15 Job 38:16-17 Job 38:18 Job 38:19-21

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […] for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV) Job 38:22-23 Job 38:24 Job 38:25-28 Job 38:29-30 Job 38:31-33 Job 38:34-35

GOD INTRODUCES HIMSELF AS THE CREATOR “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? […] for you were already born! You have lived so many years!” (Job 38:4, 21 NIV) Job 38:36 Job 38:37-38 Job 38:39-40 Job 38:41 Job expected to hear answers about the reason for his calamity. God taught him that he was unable to understand the answer. Had Job seen the wonderful act of Creation? Could he see how God acts in every natural phenomenon? God’s questions make us understand that we are ignorant of the created world. How can I understand my Creator if I cannot even understand what He created? Thank God because He revealed Himself on Jesus Christ.

GOD APPEALS TO JOB’S WISDOM “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?” (Job 39:13) Thanks to science we can answer some of God’s questions to Job. Nevertheless, there are still many unanswered questions. Our knowledge of Creation is still very limited.

GOD APPEALS TO JOB’S WISDOM “The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, but are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s?” (Job 39:13) The more we learn about Creation, the more wonderful and mysterious it seems. How does Creation make you be amazed at God’s power?

“Why has He clothed the earth and trees with living green, instead of with dark, somber brown? Is it not that they may be more pleasing to the eye? And shall not our hearts be filled with gratitude as we read the evidences of His wisdom and love in the wonders of His creation? The same creative energy that brought the world into existence is still exerted in upholding the universe and continuing the operations of nature. The hand of God guides the planets in their orderly march through the heavens. It is not because of inherent power that year by year the earth continues her motion round the sun and produces her bounties. The word of God controls the elements. He covers the heavens with clouds and prepares rain for the earth. He makes the valleys fruitful and “grass to grow upon the mountains;” Psalm 147:8. It is through His power that vegetation flourishes, that the leaves appear and the flowers bloom. The whole natural world is designed to be an interpreter of the things of God.” E.G.W. (Counsels to Parents, Teachers and Students, section 5, cp. 25, p. 185)

JOB’S ANSWER “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘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. You said, “Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.’” (Job 42:1-6 NIV)

JOB’S ANSWER Isaiah 6:5 “So I said: ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.’” Luke 5:8 “When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, ‘Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!’” Once Job understood God better, he was also more aware of his foolishness and sinfulness. The more we know about God the more aware we are of our own unworthiness, like Isaiah and Peter. “With what shall I come before the Lord?” (Micah 6:6). “Where is boasting then? It is excluded.” (Romans 3:27). Even perfect and upright people who fear God and stray from sin need a Savior. Our only wise reaction before God is to repent in dust and ashes.

“There can be no self-exaltation, no boastful claim to freedom from sin, on the part of those who walk in the shadow of Calvary’s cross. They feel that it was their sin which caused the agony that broke the heart of the Son of God, and this thought will lead them to self-abasement. Those who live nearest to Jesus discern most clearly the frailty and sinfulness of humanity, and their only hope is in the merit of a crucified and risen Saviour.” E.G.W. (The Great Controversy, cp. 27, p. 471)