Job 38:37 "Who can number the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay the bottles of heaven,"
This sermon from American Pastor J.D. Montieth highlights the most foundational and important lessons in life from the oldest book in the Bible, the Book of Job. This sermon, the fourteenth in the series on the Book of Job, Job Chapter 38:37-40:4 explores the power and wisdom of the Almighty through creation and Job's response to the Lord's questioning: "Shifting from the heavens, the Lord now directs Job’s attention to the creatures of the earth, that solely by God’s providence are cared for. Lions are mentioned, which are regarded by many as the most regal of nature’s animals, to show that even towards them, through either natural instincts or patience, their needs are provided for. And just as man cannot, through his own power, care for himself, without an environment supplied by God, likewise man does not care for, nor does he sustain the well-being of any other of earth’s creatures. This is the Lord’s work, and He alone should be praised for it.
"Moving to the wild goats which live in the high mountain, the Lord asks Job what he really knows about these majestic creatures. If Job could speak very little about the wild goat, which inhabits the highest regions of the earth, how could he really know a God, Whose habitation is Heaven? If also the mountain goat, which makes its home in the highest peaks of the earth, cannot be fully known, without great and extensive human effort, how could the God of Heaven, Whom no man can approach, thought to be so easily understood?
"Speaking pointedly to Job, the Lord now asks him, if the hawk has gained its extraordinary power of flight by Job’s wisdom. When one examines the prominent features of birds like the hawk, their gift of flight, as well as the great speeds and distances they fly, you have to wonder if men ever really even consider, that God is the Creator of all things living. Simply because no man can deeply ponder the gifts and abilities given to God’s creatures, and not be spellbound by God’s wisdom. So that if men refuse to attribute glory to God, it is only because they have removed themselves from believing in the evidences of Himself, in creation.
"From the hawk to now the eagle, another glorious creature is brought to Job’s attention, highlighting the Lord’s spectacular wisdom in creating birds such as this. Like with the mountain goat, which lives in the highest regions of the earth, the eagle ascends to the highest atmosphere of the earth. The Lord, no doubt, chooses majestic creatures like these, simply because His own home is high, and unobservable by earthly men.
"Here we see a dramatic change in Job’s demeanor, for now instead of confessing personal self-righteousness, he openly confesses his own vileness. No doubt the vileness that Job experienced in his soul, was directly related to his understanding of being proud of heart. Such pride also that was previously willing to condemn God, in order to justify self. Ultimately, Job’s entire view of life changed. Whereas before he thought God was at fault, and himself righteous, now he sees God as righteous, and himself as vile. Through then God’s Spirit, via the entrance of God’s Word, Job had come to realize the true condition of himself. No longer would he lodge false claims against the Lord, accusing God of injustice. No longer would he complain against God’s government. For now he fully realized, that it was not God who had sinned against him, but he against God."
This sermon was preached live at Castle Grace in the At the Mouth of Two or Three Witnesses Series. Other sections of Scriptures highlighted in this sermon: Job 38:37-40:4.
Broadcast live from Castle Grace 10/24/2021
