Sometimes our attitude when we worship Him resembles that of a child who is sulking to his parents. We demand that things happen the way we want them to and we demand that God respond to our questions immediately. Whereas a living and mature faith is one that remains faithful to Him even though we often don't get what we want. That is what we want to learn from Job 38: 1-11.
Job had long cried out, sued, and challenged God to answer his suffering. He was not satisfied with the answers of his friends and even felt that God was silent. But in this passage, something amazing happens, God actually answers! He answers from within the storm, a great and shaking sign of divine presence. Not just a verbal answer, but a theophany; a divine presence that confirms who is speaking. The moment changes the course of the story. In the previous sequence of events, God was only referred to by titles such as El, Shaddai, or Eloah. But now, when He speaks to Job, He reveals Himself as Yahweh, His covenant name, a name that is full of relationship, and shows that He is not just a mysterious force, but a God who binds Himself to His people.
Interestingly, God does not directly answer "why" Job is suffering. Instead, He asks question after question that takes Job to the very foundation of creation, "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?" (38:4). God describes the creation process of the universe through the image of a great architect who built the world with wisdom and love. God seems to be saying, "If you do not understand the basics of creation, how can you judge My actions in the history of your life?" But make no mistake, all of this is not merely for God to "boast". Rather, God wants to answer and does not remain silent. He comes even though the answer is not in the form of explanation, but in the form of presence. His presence in the storm is a far more powerful answer than a thousand theories about suffering.
Friends of the Bible, this story confirms one important thing, it turns out that God is willing to answer and does not turn a deaf ear to human cries. He may delay or choose various unexpected ways. Nonetheless, He is still a God who is present, vocal, and willing to meet people. Job did not get a logical explanation, but he did get a "divine encounter", and that was enough to change his perspective. In a world that often demands quick answers to suffering and injustice, this story reminds us that God does not always give answers, but He always gives Himself. Sometimes His silence is not a rejection, but rather the creation of space for faith to grow.
