I Don't Know...

Job chides Bildad for pretending to be wise

1 But Job answered and said, 2 How hast thou helped [him that is] without power? [how] savest thou the arm [that hath] no strength? 3 How hast thou counselled [him that hath] no wisdom? and [how] hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is? 4 To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?

Job exalts the power and wisdom of God

5 Dead [things] are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof. 6 Hell [is] naked before him, and destruction hath no covering. 7 He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, [and] hangeth the earth upon nothing. 8 He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them. 9 He holdeth back the face of his throne, [and] spreadeth his cloud upon it. 10 He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end. 11 The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof.

12 He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud. 13 By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent. 14 Lo, these [are] parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?

Who Can Understand?

(?)

            by Charles R. Swindoll

Scriptures: Job 26:1–14

What a thrilling thought! "Bildad, as magnificent as all of these things are, what I've mentioned represents only the fringes of His ways." Isn't "fringes" a great word? The fringes, the outer edges of His ways; only the quiet whispers of His mighty voice, the hushed tones of omnipotence. Bildad, listen to me! Who can fully understand? And to think that this Creator-God pierces through all the millions of galaxies of "the heavens" and gives His attention to this tiny green-pea planet called Earth, reaching down to folks like us, knowing even the number of hairs on our heads.

Perspective like that is needed when the sores on my body are running with pus and the fever won't go down. Job ends where Bildad should have begun. "Who can understand?"

Indeed, how unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable are His ways. Now, be careful here. That does not mean He's not in touch, out of control, and He doesn't have a plan. It just means He isn't obligated to explain Himself. And because He doesn't reveal everything, we're left with three very honest words, which are helpful coming from the lips of otherwise proud people. And what are those three words? I don't know.

In the final analysis, God knows, and He does all things well. He is in charge. I am the clay; He is the Potter. I am the disciple; He is the Lord. I am the sheep; He is the Shepherd. I am the servant; He is the Master. That means I am to submit myself. I am to humble myself under His mighty hand. I must be willing to adjust my life to His choices for me, to listen, to learn, to adapt to His leading wherever it may go whether I'm comfortable, happy, or healthy. That is obedience. Job, by now, is beginning to see it, and when he reaches the end of his brief explanation, he wisely asks, "Who can understand?"

Train yourself to think theologically. Make it your determined purpose to think God's thoughts after Him, acknowledging His lofty magnificence. Teach yourself to be at ease saying the words, "I don't know." Because Job thought correctly about God, he was able to endure, even while not understanding why. May his tribe increase. And may it include you.