Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Job 38:4
What began as a simple spring nature walk turned into something special as my wife and I trekked along our hometown’s Grand River. We noticed some familiar “friends” on a log in the rippling water—five or six large turtles basking in the sun. Sue and I smiled at the amazing sight of these reptiles, which we hadn’t seen for many months. We were delighted that they were back, and we celebrated a moment of joy in God’s magnificent creation.
God took Job on quite a nature walk (see Job 38). The troubled man needed an answer from his Creator about his situation (v. 1). And what he saw on his journey with God through His creation provided the encouragement he needed.
Imagine Job’s amazement as God reminded him of His grand design of the world. Job got a firsthand explanation of the natural world: “Who laid its cornerstone—while the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy?” (vv. 6–7). He got a geography lesson regarding God’s imposed limitations of the seas (v. 11).
The Creator continued to inform Job about the light He created, snow He produces, and rain He provides to make things grow (vv. 19–28). Job even heard about the constellations from the One who flung them into space (vv. 31–32).
Finally, Job responded, “I know that you can do all things” (42:2). As we experience the natural world, may we stand in awe of our wise and wonderful Creator.
Read: Job 38:1, 4-18 (NIV)
The Lord Speaks
38 1 Then the Lord spoke to Jobw out of the storm.x He said:
4 “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?b
Tell me, if you understand.c
5 Who marked off its dimensions?d Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring linee across it?
6 On what were its footings set,f
or who laid its cornerstoneg—
7 while the morning starsh sang togetheri
and all the angelsa j shouted for joy?k
8 “Who shut up the sea behind doorsl
when it burst forth from the womb,m
9 when I made the clouds its garment
and wrapped it in thick darkness,n
10 when I fixed limits for ito
and set its doors and bars in place,p
11 when I said, ‘This far you may come and no farther;q
here is where your proud waves halt’?r
12 “Have you ever given orders to the morning,s
or shown the dawn its place,t
13 that it might take the earth by the edges
and shake the wickedu out of it?v
14 The earth takes shape like clay under a seal;w
its features stand out like those of a garment.
15 The wicked are denied their light,x
and their upraised arm is broken.y
16 “Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?z
17 Have the gates of deatha been shown to you?
Have you seen the gates of the deepest darkness?b
18 Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?c
Tell me, if you know all this.d
INSIGHT
- How can nature bring you closer to God?
- How does it remind you of His great creative power and love?
An important answer to Job’s crisis of faith hinges on the words, “Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm” (Job 38:1). Instead of answering in a gentle whisper (see 1 Kings 19:12), God showed up from within blinding flashes of lightning and the roaring voice of dark clouds (Job 37:1–5, 14–16). God also didn’t tell him about the accuser, Satan, that our preamble to Job explains for us (chs. 1–2). Instead, from within the power and violence of a thunderstorm, the God of creation used the beauty and wonder of the world He’d made to help the servant He loved trust Him.
PRAYER
Dear God, thank You for creating such a magnificent, diverse, fascinating world. Help me to appreciate Your workmanship and realize that You’re in control. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen!!
Read: Job 38:1, 4-18 (NIV) | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 51-52; Hebrews 9
