The Book of Job is one of the most ancient works of literature in world history. This recorded account by a God-fearing man of past history is a fascinating dialogue on the nature of life and death, light and darkness, and good and evil. The pages of this ancient poetic book contain discussions of philosophy, history, anthropology, science, business, medicine, and religion.

We have been considering the divine attribute of God’s transcendence—that He is far above all human understanding or comprehension. God alone can define Himself. God alone can reveal Himself. We see this truth presented very clearly in the Book of Job.

Job is the main subject of the book and the main speaker. Others who contribute to the dialogue are Job’s three “friends”: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. All four men discuss at length the greatest questions of the universe in chapter after chapter.

After many words of wisdom—as well as words of folly!—a new dynamic enters the account in chapter 32. This newcomer is a fifth speaker who joins the discussion. His name was Elihu, and he was the youngest of the group. He proceeded to speak for six more chapters! Elihu humbly claimed to be the voice of God, “Suffer me a little, and I will shew thee that I have yet to speak on God’s behalf” (Job 36:2). He then proceeded to speak the message of the Most High.

When it seemed that all the men’s words were exhausted, God Himself spoke. “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding” (Job 38:1–4). In a few short sentences, Jehovah dismissed the vain speech of man, calling all the human philosophical debates “words without knowledge” (verse 2).

In question after question, the LORD challenged the mind and heart of Job to look away from his friends, his sufferings, and his sackcloth and ashes and instead to turn his gaze upward to God’s name and character.

When a reader counts the number of questions asked by Jehovah, he finds that God asked Job no less than seventy-seven individual questions! Here is just a sample of the great number of questions that would stretch on for many pages:

Job 38:2—“Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?”

Job 38:4—“Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth?”

Job 38:16—“Hast thou entered into the springs of the sea?”

Job 38:22—“Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow?”

Job 39:1—“Knowest thou the time when the wild goats of the rock bring forth?”

Job 39:13—“Gavest thou the goodly wings unto the peacocks?”

Job 39:19—“Hast thou given the horse strength?”

Job 39:27—“Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?”

Job 40:9—“Hast thou an arm like God?”

Job 41:1—“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook?”

Faced with the overwhelming conviction of the transcendence of God, Job’s response was reverent and humble. He realized how far short he came in understanding his Creator and His ways. The humbled man confessed, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job 42:2).

Have you ever come to the point that the awareness of God’s transcendence overwhelmed you? In comparison to the Almighty’s wisdom, our “wisdom” is folly. Job continued his confession. “Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3).

When have you spoken of things that truly you did not understand? May God give us grace to humble ourselves and to appreciate His transcendence. May we confess with Job: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:4). The next time that you are tempted to give your opinion on a question, take the time to silently consider if your words are consistent with God’s words.