Job, a character from the Bible, suddenly lost his wealth, his children, and was plagued with boils. This trauma caused him to feel immense frustration with God. In addition, his wife was unsupportive, and his friends wrongly accused him. He reacted to all that by becoming very defensive. Who among us would have reacted differently after having to put up with this never-ending negativity for months or even years?
Finally, when God entered the scene, He did not show Himself as a Savior, comforter, deliverer, or tolerant friend like we so often expect Jesus might be. No, He revealed Himself for who He was, Sovereign God Almighty and Lord of Host. He drilled Job with sharp stabbing questions, questions that quickly shut Job’s mouth. He left no wiggle room for Job’s defensiveness. This was necessary to shock Job out of his victim mentality and emotional condition. What might be necessary to shock you and me out of our delusional, prideful and self-centered thinking? Does God need to virtually slap us in the face with shock and awe before we will wake up and smell the roses??
The Jews had blatantly defied God to the point He had to have the Babylonians attack and defeat them in battle. The Babylonians then made slaves of the most brilliant, promising Jews and forced them to walk as hostages nearly 900 miles from Jerusalem to Babylon. God then let them stew in their juice for 70 years, feeling sorry for themselves. Can you imagine how steeped these Jews might be in their negative thinking after enduring those circumstances?
In the first thirty-nine chapters of Isaiah, the prophet had repeatedly and sternly warned them this would happen if they did not humbly and sincerely repent (turnabout face) in attitude and thinking. In chapter 40, Isaiah abruptly changes his warnings to comforting and encouragement. It is interesting how God motivated Isaiah to write to those in exile the same way He had spoken to Job. Here Isaiah said to them, [read this VERY slowly and consider how you might answer God] Who else has held the oceans in his hand? Who has measured off the heavens with his fingers? Who else knows the weight of the earth or has weighed the mountains and hills on a scale? Who is able to advise the Spirit of the LORD? Who knows enough to give him advice or teach him? Has the LORD ever needed anyone’s advice? Does he need instruction about what is good? Did someone teach him what is right or show him the path of justice? No, for all the nations of the world are but a drop in the bucket. They are nothing more than dust on the scales. He picks up the whole earth as though it were a grain of sand. All the wood in Lebanon’s forests and all Lebanon’s animals would not be enough to make a burnt offering worthy of our God. The nations of the world are worth nothing to him. In his eyes, they count for less than nothing — mere emptiness and froth (Isaiah 40:12-17, NLT2). If God’s words here don’t create such awe that silences your mouth, you have totally missed what God is saying in this section.
Job’s response when God asked him such questions was, In the past, I knew only what others had told me, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. So, I am ashamed of all I have said and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:5-6, TEV). God responded to Job’s humility by giving him double of all the possessions he had before.
When we wake up to reality and take time to reflect on who God really is, we are deeply humbled and broken, but also blessed with twice as much joy, peace, and faith in Him. There is incredible, life-changing power released when we experience a fresh sense of the awe of God. It realigns our attitude, values, dreams, and confidence. I continue being changed as I soak my mind and heart in God’s awe-inspiring nature. It will also transform your inner being as you take the time to reflect on who God is.