The Great Vision – Job 42:1-6

King David was so excited to be bringing the ark of the covenant up to Jerusalem, the city God had given into his hands and selected as the resting place for the Tabernacle. But David got the surprise of his life when one of his men was killed by God for touching the ark as it slid off the cart David was using to transport it. David became angry and afraid, seeing an aspect of God he had not seen before (you can read about it here). Job also gets a new perspective on God and it shakes him to the core.

Then Job answered the LORD and said:

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”   (Job 42:1-6, ESV)

This time, instead of shutting up and shutting down, Job’s defenses come down and he responds to God. Job acknowledges Yahweh’s omnipotence, His ability to accomplish all things, and His unstoppable purpose.  But most importantly, he admits that he did not know what he was talking about and spoke beyond his ken.  He thought he knew God and himself, but he didn’t. 

A clearer glimpse of God has resulted in a painful awareness of something hideous in himself.  He has come to hate this part of himself and repents of it. He repents of his arrogance. Job was right that he had done nothing deserving all the tragedy that befell him, but he thought he knew better than God as to whether it should have been allowed to happen. Haven’t we all done this? When our friend experiences a death of a family member, don’t we question why God would have allowed this? When we’re suffering and ask God to remove our pain and he doesn’t, don’t we feel let down?

Human arrogance is our besetting sin. It was birthed in the garden and it is still alive and well. It is what keeps us from acknowledging our need of a Savior. It is what makes us think we are smarter than God. And God lovingly used suffering in Job’s life to help him see his arrogance and repent of it.

So, though what follows about Job’s fortunes being restored may seem like the climax, this really is. Have you gotten here, like Job? God brought Job here. Will you let Him bring you here?

Discussion Questions

1. What suffering has there been in your life that you can look back at now as a blessing?
2. Are you at all shocked with Job’s words of self-loathing? Why or why not?
3. What is healthy about Job’s despising himself and is that self-despising total?
4. Can you identify with the arrogance Job was displaying?
5. Does God reprimand Job for bringing his concerns to God and desiring to speak to God about them?
6. What concerns do you need to bring to God and do you need to confess your arrogance about why He has allowed them?