The Omnipotence of God – Job chapters 38 to 42
Omnipotence defined
God can for all things according to his nature and will. So he cannot lie, but he can do everything he wills. Nothing can thwart his plans.
The book of Job is about suffering, but much more. It shows us the omnipotence, the sovereignty of God. Again and again He is called the “Almighty”. Job’s early acceptance of his suffering turns later to complaint.
God’s unsearchable knowledge.
38 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
2 ‘Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.4 ‘Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Job 38:1-4
Tell me, if you understand.
By questioning God shows Job how little he knows, how limited his understanding. “Tell me if you understand.” says God. Job can’t just shoot accusations in the air, he must be able to give an answer to God, and a wise person must say “I don’t know”.
The unquestionable power of God
6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 ‘Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.8 ‘Would you discredit my justice?
Job 40:6-14
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendour,
and clothe yourself in honour and majesty.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at all who are proud and bring them low,
12 look at all who are proud and humble them,
crush the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.
‘if you think I am unjust” then you take my place, judging the earth and it’s people, and sustaining all living things.”
Job’s final response Job 42:1-6
42 Then Job replied to the Lord:
2 ‘I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 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.4 ‘You said, “Listen now, and I will speak;
Job 42:1-6
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.”
5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.’
“Now I get it!” “You are far greater than I knew”. Now what was Job repenting from? Complaining and impatience, accusing God of indifference and injustice.
We cannot always know the why, but we can know the Who, the Who who is control of everything.
“There are castles with dungeons of despair, and I have been beneath them.” [BUT]
“The is no doctrine more comforting to the Christian than the sovereignty and power of God.”
Charles Spurgeon, who knew great suffering in his life.
Jesus our good Lord has solved the problem of suffering.
New International Version – UK (NIVUK)
Holy Bible, New International Version® Anglicized, NIV® Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.