Job 39: God’s Rhetorical Questions to Job

Introduction: The book of Job is one of the oldest and in-depth pieces of literature in the Bible, offering deep insights into the nature of God and suffering. In Job 39, readers are invited to contemplate the wisdom and power of God as the Creator of all living things. It serves as a turning point in the narrative, where God himself answers Job’s questions about suffering and injustice with a display of His infinite wisdom and power, using various creatures as exemplifications.

I. The Wild Donkey and Wild Ox (Job 39:5-12)

In these verses, God’s rhetorical questions about the wild donkey and ox remind Job of his lack of control over these creatures, showing how limited human understanding and power are in contrast to God’s. Cross-referencing to Psalms 104:11,14; Jeremiah 14:6; and Hosea 8:9, it’s evident that the animals’ behavior and habitat reflect God’s providence and wisdom, challenging Job’s questioning of God’s justice.

II. The Ostrich (Job 39:13-18)

In verses 13-18, the ostrich is highlighted as a creature that lacks wisdom yet is equipped with the strength to outrun horses. This paradox mirrors the theme of human wisdom and power found in Proverbs 21:31 and Ecclesiastes 9:11. God’s wisdom in creating the ostrich, despite its apparent irrational behavior, serves as a humbling reminder of God’s incomprehensibility. This further diminishes Job’s attempt to grasp God’s ways.

III. The Horse (Job 39:19-25)

God’s description of the horse in verses 19-25 emphasizes His divine wisdom and power in creating such a fearless creature. This can be cross-referenced with Psalms 147:10 and Proverbs 21:31, where the strength and courage of horses are attributed to God’s creation, not man’s achievement. This further underlines the magnitude of God’s wisdom and power beyond human understanding, challenging Job’s questioning of His justice.

IV. The Hawk and Eagle (Job 39:26-30)

The final verses of Job 39 present the hawk and eagle as creatures directed by God’s wisdom. Isaiah 40:31 and Matthew 6:26 serve as cross-references, affirming that God, who guides the flight of these birds, is the same God who directs human lives. This awakens Job to the reality of God’s attentive care and wisdom in the world, bringing into question his doubts about God’s justice and understanding of his suffering.

Conclusion: Job 39 serves as a humbling reminder of God’s wisdom and power that surpass our understanding. The various creatures – the wild donkey and ox, the ostrich, the horse, the hawk, and the eagle – all reflect the depth and breadth of God’s wisdom in creation. They serve as a divine response to Job’s questioning of God’s justice, leading him to a realization of his limited understanding and power. Each creature is a testament to God’s unrivaled wisdom and might, illuminating the truth that we are not the center of the universe, but God is. This theological reflection on Job 39 invites us to trust in God’s wisdom and sovereignty, even in the face of inexplicable suffering and injustice.