An ancient African proverb imparts wisdom about tackling huge projects: “How does one person eat a whole elephant? One bite at a time.” The Genesis & Job Series is the first bite of Eyewitness Bible Series in tackling the Old Testament.
The most casual reader soon recognizes the majority of the writings of the Old Testament have to do with the history of the Israelites (also known as Hebrews or Jews). Embedded in the Old Testament is a wealth of knowledge about God and his character, books of poetry and proverbs, and a host of prophecies.
In Bibles used by most Protestant Christians, the Old Testament consists of 39 writings, called books. The Eyewitness Bible Series groups these books into three different series:
Job 38 opens a rather one-sided discussion between God and Job. It appears that Job’s friends are not included in the discussion. Job has been wanting to talk with God, and this is his chance. However, once God starts speaking, Job realizes he wasn’t prepared to get what he wanted.
God does not justify or explain his actions to Job. God does not inform Job of Satan’s role in his misfortunes. God just gives Job the opportunity to see the difference between God’s majesty and Job’s insignificance, and he does that by asking Job some “simple” questions.
Where was Job when God laid the foundations of the earth? Who determined its dimensions? Where are its footings set? Who laid its cornerstone?
God goes on and on, asking questions about nature, weather, light, the stars, and a host of other things. It is not long before Job realizes he is incapable of understanding anything of importance, much less of advising or correcting God. Job 38-41 include some of the most valuable information about God in the Bible. Few things can humble you more than taking these chapters to heart.
Paul – Brian Shoop Japheth – Bryan Chatlien Satan – Christian Heep Job’s Wife – Leticia Magaña Job – Bob Reed Lot – Patrick Arnez Isaac – Tod Upchurch Esau – David Burkhart Rachel – Magdalen Vaughn Reuben – John Ruegsegger Joseph – Blake McNamara Benjamin – Jackson Kelly