Job 38:1-3 AMPC
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said, [2] Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? [3] Gird up now your loins like a man, and I will demand of you, and you declare to Me.
When God speaks it isn't always want we want to hear.
His tone will adjust to our state of mind, heart and soul.
Look at Jesus' approach to the woman taken in adultery (in John 8) and compare it with the scathing words addressed to the Pharisees (in Matthew 23).
Job had suffered loss of family, property and health. He was in a bad way and groaned out of his intense trials (who of us wouldn't?).
He felt that he could argue his case before the Lord and just wanted a chance to throw his questions at Him.
You would think that God would have answered him gently and with sympathy.
But, no, God answered him out of the whirlwind, the very opposite of Elijah's experience (1 Kings 19:11)!
Instead of answering Job's questions, God told him to brace up and answer Him!
It seems quite harsh and cold of God.
Yet the Lord wanted to shake Job out of his self pity - take Job's gaze out of his own navel and focus it on the majesty and splendour of God.
It is human nature to enjoy a good wallow in our troubles.
Yet self pity will isolate us from the Lord and make us bad company for those around us.
If you are facing a whirlwind of circumstances, perhaps it's a wake up call!
Time to focus on the bigness of God - how He holds all creation in His Hands.
There are unfathomable mysteries that we will never understand until we see Jesus face to face.
Selah
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