Job 39-42

In Chapter 39, God continues to question Job by asking where was Job when everything was created. Is it by Job's wisdom or by Job's command that creation exists?
Chapter 40 begins with God saying, "Shall a fault finder contend with the Almighty? Anyone who argues with God must answer." So Job answers by saying he realizes he is insignificant compared with God and he will listen to what God has to say. God continues to declare that God is supreme above all creation.

This conversation is interesting, but what is the answer for us. Does the book of Job tells us that it is okay to be angry with God, God can handle our anger. Does it tell us that we can be angry with God, but know that God's ways we may never understand. Is the lesson that to know God is to be in conversation with God during our difficult times?

The best part of Job for me is 42:1-6. Then Job answered the LORD: "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things to wonderful for me, which I did not know. 'Hear, and I will speak; I will question: I will question you, and you declare to me.' I heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

Job, who knew God only by what had been told him, now has a personal relationship with God. God is no longer just a thought or idea, but God is now real to Job. It is also interesting that throughout scripture when someone has an aha experience of God, they also clearly see how small they are and how flawed they are. Maybe that is a lesson from Job, we can in all circumstances open ourselves to be in relationship with God and that to know God is to see ourselves through God's eyes.

From 42: 7-17 God is also not happy with the friends who were only helpful when they were silent. We might learn from God's reaction that rather than speaking for God and trying to explain why something happens, we should practice being present and listening to the one hurting. Job fortunes are restored. Job also has more children and his daughters are to receive an inheritance. Yea, Job, in his experience with God he see sons and daughters are equal.