The Vain Wisdom of Man

Job 38:1-3 ~ "Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 'Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.'"

Job suffered. There is no doubt that the patriarch went through a time of testing that was unexpected and severe. He was a righteous man, devout in his duty to the LORD, who feared God and turned from evil (see Job 1:8). His character was, in comparison to the world at large, impeccable and unsullied. 

God allowed the test, and opened the door for the enemy to take from Job his children, his industry and, ultimately, his health. At that point, the suffering man succumbed to his grief and lamented the condition he experienced. He could not reason why his suffering was so profound--for he saw in himself no sense of any real guilt. His friends accused him of hidden sins though they could not point to one. The final statement that described the patriarch is found in Job 32:1, "So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes."

After Job's three friends ceased their constant attacks against him, a young man named Elihu stepped in to offer his observations. He chastised the three for not finding any fault though continually making accusations (see Job 32:3). And the young man burned against Job for having justified himself rather than God. Job 32:2 states, "Then Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the family of Ram, burned with anger. He burned with anger at Job because he justified himself rather than God."

In all of this, God heard every complaint of Job. And, at the end of the time of trial, the Almighty speaks to the patriarch words that will shatter the pride of every human on the earth. Basically, the LORD asks Job, "Who do you think you are?" Do you feel the weight of God's rebuke? My own soul is crushed under the weight of such a stern reprimand from God. And any who want to claim a superior wisdom or better knowledge than God Almighty had better take a seat and humble yourself before the LORD.

It begins with a question: "who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?" Dear ones, we hold no glimmer of wisdom in comparison to the full light of the counsel of God. Bring our intellect into some debate with the LORD and all we do is cast shadows and offer no light. We have "words without knowledge." Our understanding is so limited that when we draw near to God, we had better silence ourselves and listen. Ecclesiastes 5:1 tells us, "Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil."

Let me ask a simple question: how much of your counsel is drawn from the pages of God's Word compared to your own intuitions and insights? You and I, beloved, have no special insights or greater intuitive wisdom that is superior to the written word of the LORD. Let the Scriptures be the lamp and the light that guides your every step. Seek no other wisdom lest you darken God's counsel by words without knowledge.

It ends in a challenge. "I will question you, and you make it known to me." Job had spent his lamentable experience questioning the LORD about his dire circumstances. He never charged God with wrongdoing. Yet Job did what many of us do--we ask the age-old question: why me? God is now going to reverse this interrogation and begin to question Job. Let me encourage you to read chapters 38 to 42 of the book of Job. For God's response is the word He gives to all who will question His activities. Consider Romans 9:20, "But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, 'Why have you made me like this?'"

As God is sovereign, every circumstance and condition is under His control. We can petition our LORD, seek Him in prayer and ask for His gracious hand to deliver us from whatever sorrows we may face. But God has the final say. He alone is the Author of life and the One who bestows blessing or brings calamity. Isaiah 45:7 states it clearly, "I form light and create darkness; I make well-being and create calamity; I am the Lord, who does all these things."

Hear Job's final statement to the LORD, "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6). As Job did in the final confrontation with the LORD, let us repent of all our ego and pride. Recognize that the wisdom we possess is mere vanity, and cling to the wisdom that comes from God. 

In His Grace,
Pastor Michael

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