Job 40:1-2

God’s concluding challenge to Job 40:1-2

God’s first speech began and ended with a challenge to Job. Job had found fault with God for allowing him to suffer when he was godly. He had said he wished he could meet God in court to face Him with His injustice and to hear His response (Job 13:3; Job 13:15). Now God asked Job if he still wanted to contend with Him after God had reminded him of His power and wisdom. "It" (Job 40:2 b) may refer to the question in Job 40:2 a, though it could refer to all the evidence God had presented in chapters 38-39. [Note: Reichert, p. 209.]

"Yahweh ironically challenged Job to teach (or correct) Him in the matters of the universe to prove that he was equal to God and thus capable of arguing with God in court." [Note: Parsons, p. 150.]

"Since Job is not knowledgeable enough to discover why things take place on earth as they do, he is left with a decision-either to trust Yahweh, believing that he wisely rules his created world, or to pursue his complaint that exalts himself above Yahweh. Yahweh leaves the initiative with Job either to believe him or to continue to accuse him." [Note: Hartley, p. 517.]