Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you jumped to a certain conclusion, only to be corrected later? It happened to me recently when someone asked me what I thought was a crazy question that had already been answered, but when I paused and thought, it turned out it wasn’t a crazy question, and I hadn’t answered it. Humble pie for me. Today, as we wrap up our journey though Job, our main character has finally seen himself in proper perspective, and responds accordingly.
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?
I lay my hand on my mouth.
I have spoken once, and I will not answer;
twice, but I will proceed no further.”Job 40.3-5
Having realised the truth of the situation through the Lord’s pretty epic reply (ch.38-39), Job now understands that he is of small account, and that he has little to say.
I’m convinced that, just as my personal example of crazy questions, when we see the truth of the situations we find ourselves in, the appropriate response will be forthcoming. As I realised that the question put to me was a valid one, here Job realises that, do you know what, I am of small account, what can I say to you, God? He realises that there is little else to say (v.5), and that he needs to be quick to listen to the Lord, and slow to speak (James 1.19).
Perhaps that is the best place for us to wrap up this journey through Job; life’s deepest questions are, in part, easier answered when we realise that we do not inherently possess the answers, that we have little to say towards the answer, and that we need to look beyond ourselves to God Almighty for the answers.
James Travis 