Have you ever pondered the depth of God’s wisdom, marveling at His intricate design and sovereignty over creation?
Job 39 invites us to contemplate the mysteries of God’s wisdom as we explore the intricate details of His handiwork in the animal kingdom.
Reconnect: Job 39 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Job as God continues His divine discourse, challenging Job’s understanding of His wisdom and sovereignty. Through a series of rhetorical questions, God invites Job to consider the intricacies of His creation, particularly in the realm of the animal kingdom.
Job has been searching for understanding and rescue from his suffering after experiencing great personal loss. God now steps in and challenges him to reflect on God’s wisdom relative to his own.
(Summarized and continued after scripture)
God Speaks of Nature and Its Beings
1“Do you know the time the mountain goats give birth?
Do you observe the calving of the deer?
2“Can you count the months they fulfill,
Or do you know the time they give birth?
3“They kneel down, they bring forth their young,
They get rid of their labor pains.
4“Their offspring become strong, they grow up in the open field;
They leave and do not return to them.
5“Who sent out the wild donkey free?
And who loosed the bonds of the swift donkey,
6To whom I gave the wilderness for a home
And the salt land for his dwelling place?
7“He scorns the tumult of the city,
The shoutings of the driver he does not hear.
8“He explores the mountains for his pasture
And searches after every green thing.
9“Will the wild ox consent to serve you,
Or will he spend the night at your manger?
10“Can you bind the wild ox in a furrow with ropes,
Or will he harrow the valleys after you?
11“Will you trust him because his strength is great
And leave your labor to him?
12“Will you have faith in him that he will return your grain
And gather it from your threshing floor?
13“The ostriches’ wings flap joyously
With the pinion and plumage of love,
14For she abandons her eggs to the earth
And warms them in the dust,
15And she forgets that a foot may crush them,
Or that a wild beast may trample them.
16“She treats her young cruelly, as if they were not hers;
Though her labor be in vain, she is unconcerned;
17Because God has made her forget wisdom,
And has not given her a share of understanding.
18“When she lifts herself on high,
She laughs at the horse and his rider.
19“Do you give the horse his might?
Do you clothe his neck with a mane?
20“Do you make him leap like the locust?
His majestic snorting is terrible.
21“He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength;
He goes out to meet the weapons.
22“He laughs at fear and is not dismayed;
And he does not turn back from the sword.
23“The quiver rattles against him,
The flashing spear and javelin.
24“With shaking and rage he races over the ground,
And he does not stand still at the voice of the trumpet.
25“As often as the trumpet sounds he says, ‘Aha!’
And he scents the battle from afar,
And the thunder of the captains and the war cry.
26“Is it by your understanding that the hawk soars,
Stretching his wings toward the south?
27“Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up
And makes his nest on high?
28“On the cliff he dwells and lodges,
Upon the rocky crag, an inaccessible place.
29“From there he spies out food;
His eyes see it from afar.
30“His young ones also suck up blood;
And where the slain are, there is he.”
Summary Key Points:
- God’s Sovereign Design: In Job 39, God draws Job’s attention to the intricacies of His creation, highlighting His sovereign control over every aspect of the natural world. From the wild mountain goats to the majestic horses, God’s wisdom is evident in the design and behavior of each creature.
- The Limitations of Human Understanding: Through a series of rhetorical questions, God challenges Job’s understanding of His wisdom and sovereignty. He emphasizes the vast difference between human knowledge and divine wisdom, reminding Job of the inherent limitations of human understanding.
- Humility in the Face of God’s Wisdom: Job’s encounter with God’s divine discourse humbles him, prompting him to acknowledge the greatness and majesty of God’s wisdom. In the presence of God’s sovereign control over creation, Job is reminded of his own finite understanding and the need for humility before the Creator.
Call to Action:
As we reflect on Job 39, let us:
- Contemplate God’s Wisdom: Take time to meditate on the mysteries of God’s wisdom as revealed in His creation, recognizing the intricacies of His design and the sovereignty over all things.
- Cultivate Humility: Embrace humility in the face of God’s wisdom, acknowledging our finite understanding and the limitations of human knowledge. Let us approach God with reverence and awe, recognizing His infinite wisdom and sovereignty.
- Seek Wisdom from God: Pray for God to grant us wisdom and understanding as we navigate the complexities of life. May we rely on His guidance and trust in His sovereign plan for our lives.
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, we stand in awe of Your wisdom and sovereignty over creation, marveling at the intricacies of Your design. Grant us the humility to acknowledge our finite understanding and the wisdom to seek Your guidance in all things. May we find comfort and assurance in Your sovereign control over every aspect of our lives. In Your holy name, we pray, amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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