Theology of creation in Job

 Theology of creation in Job

The Book of Job also tells us about the theology of creation. The wisdom in Job follows the tradition of the Old Testament and maintains the relationship of man and God and especially to other created beings. Chapter 38-41 will narrate to us how God revealed his intimate relationship with all of his creation, and, even more, God's joy in everything that he has created, whether it be in the "majestic snorting" of the horse or the soaring hawk or the wild ass that scorns the city (Job 39:7, 20, 26).

In the magnificent love song to the creation in Job 38-41, God reminds Job that only God's wisdom knows the creation in its entirety and in all its parts, and that the knowledge and understanding of human beings is limited.

In this particular essay on creation, I would rather select randomly verses that would somehow give us a general look on how God revealed himself to Job in his creation.

In Job  38:1-41, key terms on creation has been manifested that God is indeed the creator of all things like, earth (v 4), stars (v. 7), sea (v. 8), clouds (v 9), winds (v24, thunderstorm (v25), desert (v27), ice (v29), stone (v30) and many more.

Where were you when I founded the earth? (Job 38:4.) The Lord begins by questioning Job about the formation of the world, using the imagery of the construction of a major building (38:4-7). The Lord asks Job, Who marked off the dimensions of the earth? (38:5a)—the site for this “building” (i.e.; the world) was carefully surveyed. A “measuring line” was stretched out (38:5b) to ensure that the world, or the earth, was constructed exactly according to the Lord’s “blue prints”—by implication it is being said that everything created corresponds precisely to God’s plan (Hartley, p. 495). The footings were set and the earth’s cornerstone was laid in place (38:6). The marvelous, mysterious, incomprehensible “construction” of the world testifies to the awesome wisdom of the Creator—a wisdom that is beyond the scope of man’s ability to understand. This should cause man to bow in humble trust before the Lord, as opposed to charging God with unrighteousness based upon man’s finite knowledge and limited understanding.

Job 38:16-24. The Lord asks if Job has ever entered into “the springs of the sea” (i.e.; the origins of the sea) or walked in “the recesses of the deep” (38:16). Beyond the depths of the sea lie “the gates of death” (38:17); this, too, is unknown to Job and is beyond his experience and comprehension. Morover, the Lord asks Job about the gentle west wind that brings the much-needed rain; and the east wind, the mighty sirocco, that parches the earth (38:24). The Lord wants Job to understand that there are vast dimensions of reality that are beyond Job’s comprehension and, therefore, due to his very limited knowledge and experience, it is wrong for Job to make definitive and disparaging statements about God’s governance of the world.

Job 39:1-30. Meanwhile in this chapter, different kinds of animals were revealed to Job. The creatures were singled out for consideration, especially those that are associated with the wilderness, animals that are for the most part beyond man’s ability to domesticate: animals that are incorrigible, like the wild donkey (v5) and the wild ox (v9); animals that are dangerous, like the lioness (Job 38:39); animals that are inaccessible, like the mountain goat; animals that enigmatic, like the ostrich (39:13). These are all God’s creatures who serve His inscrutable purpose and who are objects of His care. Thus the Lord confronts Job with the fact that He is the all-wise and caring Sustainer, governing His creation and providing for all His creatures, each one uniquely endowed and fitted by their Creator to serve His purpose and display His majesty.

Job 40:1-32. Other creations like Behemoth (Hippopotamus), lotus trees, reedy swamp, and Leviathan (crocodile) were also mentioned on how God cared for them.

Above all these manifestations, we can say that God is in control of creation and man is only a speck and so what he should now do is to take care His creation.

            Job 37:14-16 – “Hearken to this, O Job! Stand and consider the wondrous works of God! Do you know how God lays his commands upon them, and makes the light shine forth from his clouds? Do you know how the clouds are banked, the wondrous work of him who is perfect in knowledge?”

            Job 37:15 shows us how God is in control of his creation. All the movements of his creation are in accordance to the words that comes from his mouth, which in this sense no human being has ever known or done. What has been written above are all of his manifestation as God over the entirety of creation.

            Thus, God is indeed in control of his creation.