Who's Really in Charge?
Job 38. 1 - 11
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?"
Last night I had the privilege and pleasure of dining with a group of people who don't know all the answers, have lots of questions, love God, and don't trust the church. These are brilliant, successful, loving people, and we sat around the table outside on close to the longest day of the year laughing and pondering and not always agreeing but never any hard feelings.
When I realized that this Job reading was part of the lectionary for today, I thought yep...that's God in whom I believe, and last night's friends do too, I suspect.
This line in Job from God is one of my favorite in all of scripture. Job, and all the rest of us, get a good talking to here...just when we think we know all the answers and we think our way is the only way, God shows up and takes us by the neck and says where were you when I created the world, little guy????? The rest of the passage is too good not to share. Read and savor and rest assured we are in good Hands!!!
The Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?
Gird up your loins like a man,I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!Or who stretched the line upon it?
On what were its bases sunk,or who laid its cornerstone
when the morning stars sang togetherand all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
"Or who shut in the sea with doorswhen it burst out from the womb?—
when I made the clouds its garment,and thick darkness its swaddling band,
and prescribed bounds for it,and set bars and doors,
and said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther,and here shall your proud waves be stopped'?"
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