Job 38:39-39:30

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

God’s First Speech to Job Concludes

BACKGROUND NOTES

The purpose of God’s speeches to Job was not to explain why Job was suffering. It was to bring Job to the right ____________ in his relationship with _____.
When speaking in his defense, Job was not questioning God’s existence or God’s power and authority, but he was questioning God’s ______.
In His questions to Job about the animal kingdom in verses 38:39 – 39:4, what are the ways that God demonstrates to Job that He cares for His animal creations?
In verses 39:13-25, identify the strange characteristics of the ostrich and the horse that confirm and justify God’s unique design.
What is the amazing ability of birds that God asks Job about in verse 39:26?

The purpose of God’s address to Job in the form of several series of questions was to bring Job to the right attitude in his relationship with God.
When speaking in his own defense, Job was not questioning God’s existence or God’s power and authority, but he was questioning God’s ways. Job, who claimed innocence, was asking if it was fair for God to allow him to suffer. God does not directly give Job the answer.
God makes it clear to Job that He cares for his created animals by seeing that they have sufficient food (vs 38:39-41), by giving them the capability to bear their young without assistance (vs 39:1-3), and by giving the newly born the timely strength and ability to stand and fend for themselves (v 39:4).
God mentions to Job the strange characteristics of the ostrich whose wings are not capable of providing flight, and who doesn’t seem to properly care for her eggs. Yet the ostrich survives in God’s care, even as it uses its long legs to protect itself and to outrun the speedy horse (vs 39:13-18). God made the horse to be very temperamental, usually shying away from noise and activity, yet being capable of charging courageously into battle and the threat of death (vs 39:19-23).
In a brief statement, God reminds Job of the amazing ability of birds to find their way north and south in their migrations year after year and over vast distances (v 39:26).

When people around you question God’s sovereignty and His concern for them, consider using the approach of asking them questions about God’s amazing creation and His faithful care and sustaining of living things. Discuss how this method may be effective in teaching your children.

When was the last time you thought or said, “God does not seem to care about me”? When you consider how He knows every need of the animals He created, do you not think that He knows in detail your every need for every situation? Reflect more carefully on the ways in which the Lord has cared for your needs, and be alert to recognize how He meets your needs in the future.

Moreover the Lord answered Job and said, ‘Shall the one who contends with the almighty correct Him? He who rebukes God, let him answer it.’” Job 40:1, 2