Who knows the creator?

Still moving stuff over here from my previous site, so when this talks about "now" - think October 2009.  Any new additions from Feb. 2016 will be in text like this.

I’m going through Job now, for a small group study. In the midst of all his problems, Job says the following when talking about who he thinks caused all the troubles in his life.

Job 12:7 “But ask the animals, and they will teach you,
or the birds of the air, and they will tell you;
Job 12:8 or speak to the earth, and it will teach you,
or let the fish of the sea inform you.
Job 12:9 Which of all these does not know
that the hand of the LORD has done this?
Job 12:10 In his hand is the life of every creature
and the breath of all mankind.
Job 12:11 Does not the ear test words
as the tongue tastes food?
Job 12:12 Is not wisdom found among the aged?
Does not long life bring understanding?

Job 13:1 “My eyes have seen all this, my ears have heard and understood it.

Not only does Job himself “know” that it was God – so also do the birds, the fish, and even the earth itself. Sounds like Job is really angry with God – and he is.

This is the same Job who earlier (but still after his troubles were in full force) said:

Job 9:1 Then Job replied:
Job 9:2 “Indeed, I know that this is true.
But how can a mortal be righteous before God?
Job 9:3 Though one wished to dispute with him,
he could not answer him one time out of a thousand.
Job 9:4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast.
Who has resisted him and come out unscathed?
Job 9:5 He moves mountains without their knowing it
and overturns them in his anger.
Job 9:6 He shakes the earth from its place
and makes its pillars tremble.
Job 9:7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine;
he seals off the light of the stars.
Job 9:8 He alone stretches out the heavens
and treads on the waves of the sea.
Job 9:9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion,
the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.
Job 9:10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed,
miracles that cannot be counted.

So Job also knows that God created everything, and has control over everything.

But – shortly afterwards, Job also says:

Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face.

and

Job 9:13 God does not restrain his anger;
even the cohorts of Rahab cowered at his feet.

Job 9:14 “How then can I dispute with him?
How can I find words to argue with him?
Job 9:15 Though I were innocent, I could not answer him;
I could only plead with my Judge for mercy.
Job 9:16 Even if I summoned him and he responded,
I do not believe he would give me a hearing.
Job 9:17 He would crush me with a storm
and multiply my wounds for no reason.

Remember, this is Old Testament stuff – pre-Jesus. Job is talking about hope in God, forgiveness of sins, and a second life.

Consider this, from 1 Peter 1:3-9

Praise to God for a Living Hope

1Pe 1:3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.

Sure sounds familiar.