A finite creature who has no wisdom to run the world and for whom 99.999% of all the events in the world are unknown and

unknown and inscrutable has no business counseling his maker what is wise to do in his case or anybody else's.

Who do we think we are when we rebuke or murmur against God?

So are you ever tempted to accuse God of being arbitrary or capricious in his

dealings with you? In this episode of Light and Truth, John Piper opens Job 381 through 426 for reasons

why we should eagerly submit to God's wisdom and goodness.

This sermon was originally preached at Bethlehem Baptist Church on July 28th, 1985.

Chapter 38,

Chapter 38, verses 1 and 2. Then the Lord answered Job out of the

world when who is this that darkens counsel by words without

knowledge.

Now, let's stop there and think for a moment.

Job takes this rebuke at the beginning of Chapter 38

as applying to himself and he sits and listens to what

God has to say.

God never says one word of criticism toward Elihu. And Job sits in quiet. is So in my understanding, Laiu is stage one in the answer that God has to give to Job about his suffering and God's own words out of the world win are stage two. You might say you need some clear theology taught

by a human teacher and you need to see God in order to really handle your suffering.

So let's follow as best we can this word from God to Job. Chapter 38, verse 3. Gird up your loins like a man. I'll question

you and you shall declare to me. In other words, God says, you've been questioning me long

enough. I've been in the dock long enough. I'm stepping out. You get in. I have a few

questions to ask you, Job. And then he begins this long interrogation and we're going to follow

him step by step for a couple of chapters here so you can get the feel of what Job must have thought as the Almighty addressed him.

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