One of my favorite Bible passages is the final chapters of Job. Chapter 38 starts with these words: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: ‘Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements- surely you know? Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning starts sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?’” (Job 38:1-7). Verse 22 asks: “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow?” Chapter 38 and 39 continue to enlarge on God’s power and sovereignty. At the beginning of Chapter 40, Job is given a chance to speak. His response is as follows, “Behold, I am a of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further.” For two more chapters, God continues to explain who he is to Job. When Job once again speaks in Chapter 42: 1-6 “Then Job answered the Lord and said: ‘I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”
I thought of these words as I wandered through the snow today. Last winter, it seemed at times as if the whole storehouse of snow had been emptied on us. This winter, we’ve barely had snow that stuck around for more than a day. Weathermen hold forth on why the weather is behaving as it is. Some people are glad not to deal with the snow. Others are saddened by its lack. Today, I am content to realize that, whether we understand or not, God is in control of even the snow. I will simply appreciate its beauty.
January 16, 2012 at 12:56 am
Ben Scripture often uses that passage in Job in his creation seminars–I’ve always loved this part: “On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Somehow I missed the part about the storehouses of snow–great imagery! I’ll have to study that again. Love your first picture, and the second one too!