The Lord Answers Job (Job 38:1-4) by Rev. Allen Brummel
I. The Speaker
II. The Manner of Speech
III. The Demanded Response
Psalm singing: 115:1-7; 1:1-6; 32:1-5; 106:1-5
Scripture reading: Job 38
Rev. Ron Hanko on Job 38-39: “Why does God speak of these things to Job? We expect to read of God’s power and wisdom and grace as savior, even of his sovereign right as judge, but instead he speaks of his works as creator and as the God of providence. Why? We must understand that God did not come to Job to answer his questionings, his ‘why?’ A careful reading of Job 38-41 will show that God gives no explanation at all of Job’s trials. He does not tell Job what went on in heaven before Job’s trouble began. He never speaks of Satan’s part in Job’s losses. He does not even repeat what Elihu had said about his gracious purpose in affliction. What Elihu had said was true but was not an explanation of God’s ways. Indeed, though Elihu has confessed that ‘all things work together for good to them that love God’ (Rom. 8:28), the question of how they work and why they work for good remains unanswered. God’s revelation of himself and his works to Job is God’s way of saying to Job, ‘My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways’ (Isa. 55:8) ... Job has already profited from his trials. he has come through them to a stronger faith in his redeemer and to a greater assurance of eternal life. Though unwittingly, he has disproved Satan’s slander and proved that God’s grace makes friends and lovers of God, not mercenaries. He has by his patience proved the efficacy of God’s electing purpose, the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, not yet shed, and the sovereignty and graciousness of the Spirit’s work” (Job: God’s Sovereignty in Suffering, pp. 127-128).

Psalm 115:1-7
I NOT unto us, Lord, not to us,
but do thou glory take
Unto thy name, ev’n for thy truth,
and for thy mercy’s sake.
2 0 wherefore should the heathen say,
Where is their God now gone?
3 But our God in the heavens is,
what pleas’d him he hath done.
4 Their idols silver are and gold,
work of men’s hands they be.
5 Mouths have they,but they do not speak
and eyes, but do not see ;
6 Ears have they, but they do not hear;
noses, but savour not;
7 Hands, feet, but handle not, nor walk;
nor speak they through their throat.

Psalm 1:1-6
1 THAT man hath perfect blessedness
who walketh not astray
In counsel of ungodly men,
nor stands in sinners’ way,
Nor sitteth in the scorner’s chair:
2 But placeth his delight
Upon God’s law, and meditates
on his law day and night.
3 He shall be like a tree that grows
near planted by a river,
Which in his season yields his fruit,
and his leaf fadeth never :
And all he doth shall prosper well.
4 The wicked are not so ;
But like they are unto the chaff,
which wind drives to and fro.
5 In judgment therefore shall not stand
such as ungodly are ;
Nor in th’ assembly of the just
shall wicked men appear.
6 For why? the way of godly men
unto the Lord is known :
Whereas the way of wicked men
shall quite be overthrown.

Psalm 32:1-5
1 BLESSED is the man to whom
is freely pardoned
All the transgression he hath done,
whose sin is covered.
2 Bless’d is the man to whom the Lord
imputeth not his sin,
And in whose sp’rit there is no guile,
nor fraud is found therein.
3 When as I did refrain my speech,
and silent was my tongue,
My bones then waxed old, because
I roared all day long.
4 For upon me both day and night
thine hand did heavy lie,
So that my moisture turned is
in summer’s drought thereby.
5 I thereupon have unto thee
my sin acknowledged,
And likewise mine iniquity
I have not covered :
I will confess unto the Lord
my trespasses, said I;
And of my sin thou freely didst
forgive th’ iniquity.

Psalm 106:1-5
1 GIVE praise and thanks unto the Lord,
for bountiful is he;
His tender mercy doth endure
unto eternity.
2 God’s mighty works who can express?
or shew forth all his praise?
3 Blessed are they that judgment keep,
and justly do always.
4 Remember me, Lord, with that love
which thou to thine dost bear;
With thy salvation, O my God,
to visit me draw near:
5 That I thy chosen’s good may see,
and in their joy rejoice;
And may with thine inheritance
triumph with cheerful voice.