108. Hast Thou Not Known? (2)

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Hymns: RHC 346 Be Still My Soul 348 Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah 355 Day by Day

Job 38:19-24

19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? 21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? 

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light parted, whichscattereth the east wind upon the earth?

Hast Thou Not Known (2) 

OUTLINE

  • God Who Commands the Morning Also Deals with the Wicked (v12-15)
  • God Who Created the Sea and the Breath of the Earth Also Determines the Place of the Dead (v16-18)
  • God Who Created the Lights Also Beams to Light to Show the Path that Leads to the House (v19-21)
  • God Who Brings the Snow and the Hail and the Wind Also Direct the Course of Battles and Wars (v22-24)

Continued…

  • God Who Created the Lights Also Beams to Light to Show the Path that Leads to the House (v19-21)

19 Where is the way where light dwelleth? and as for darkness, where is the place thereof, 20 That thou shouldest take it to the bound thereof, and that thou shouldest know the paths to the house thereof? 21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great? 

Job was posed questions which he could not answer. They were beyond him. He realized God is in the realm far beyond him. It was to cause him to be quiet and silent and put him in his place.

Where does light dwell? What about darkness? The origin of light and darkness. The path of light, can he know how it will shine and provide the direction to a certain house. 

Job was not there in the time of creation (v20). However old may be, is he old enough to live in the time when the universe was created so that he may explain concerning the origin of light and darkness and how the light shines in its path to direct our ways? Job realized that he was at a loss.

As such, we realize marvel and realize knowledge is hidden in Christ. The Apostle Paul comforted to the church in Colosse in their afflictions that he remembers them at the throne of grace.

Colossians 2:1-3 (KJV) For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for them at Laodicea, and foras many as have not seen my face in the flesh; That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

Many things we do not know, but our Saviour does! We can do to Him.

John 1:1-5 (KJV) In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not.

John 1:9-14 (KJV) That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.

The psalmist realized the blessedness of knowing the Creator and acknowledging Him as His Lord and Saviour, submitting Him to His leading.

Psalm 65:4-13 (KJV) Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy holy temple. 

By terrible things in righteousness wilt thou answer us, O God of our salvation; who art the confidence of all the ends of the earth, and of them that are afar off upon the sea: Which by his strength setteth fast the mountains; being girded with power: Which stilleth the noise of the seas, the noise of their waves, and the tumult of the people.

Our Lord Jesus was able to still the waves in the raging sea, we can come to Him for help.

They also that dwell in the uttermost parts are afraid at thy tokens: thou makest the outgoings of the morning and evening to rejoice. Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God, which is full of water: thou preparest them corn, when thou hast so provided for it. Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settlest the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. 

It is God in Christ who sustains the world around us. 

Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness. 

He is the one that give the harvest.

They drop upon the pastures of the wilderness: and the little hills rejoice on every side. The pastures are clothed with flocks; the valleys also are covered over with corn; they shout for joy, they also sing.

Indeed, the children praise Him for His care for them. If we have understood the greatness of the power of the Creator God supertending over our lives as He did for Job in his trial, God told Satan that whatever is done, Job’s life is protected! What privilege! The power of omnipotence caring for our well-being. No wonder the disciples exclaimed, O Lord our God, depart from us, we are sinful!

  • God Who Brings the Snow and the Hail and the Wind Also Direct the Course of Battles and Wars (v22-24)

22 Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail, 23 Which I have reserved against the time of trouble, against the day of battle and war? 24 By what way is the light parted, whichscattereth the east wind upon the earth?

As we examine the snow flaks, put them under a microscope, we realized that no two snow flakes are the same, the intricate design is so wonderful and amazing, we marvel that the beauty and variation and purity!

As a children’s book “God Made You Special” tells us “Just as no two snowflakes are alike, and no two thumbprints are the same, God made each person special” – God made you special. Can you paint pictures? Sing a song? Whatever you can do well is a talent God gave to you. And God planned ways for you to use your talents so that you can serve Him and help others. You can help someone learn to paint or play catch with someone who is lonely. You can sing praise to God. You can do lots of special things. There is one reason you are special that is more important than any other. You are special because God made you. He made you in His own image (Genesis 1:27). That means you can feel … think …imagine and create. Being made in God’s image also means that God’s Son, Jesus, loves you and wants to be your friend. Jesus came to earth so that one day you can live with Him in heaven. Being made in God’s image is very special. Yes, God made you. He loves you, and He thinks you’re special. So do I. Let’s thank God for making you special.

Exodus 9:17-33 (KJV) As yet exaltest thou thyself against my people, that thou wilt not let them go? Behold, to morrow about this time I will cause it to rain a very grievous hail, such as hath not been in Egypt since the foundation thereof even until now. Send therefore now, and gather thy cattle, and all that thou hast in the field; for upon every man and beast which shall be found in the field, and shall not be brought home, the hail shall come down upon them, and they shall die. He that feared the word of the LORD among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses: And he that regarded not the word of the LORD left his servants and his cattle in the field. And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch forth thine hand toward heaven, that there may be hail in all the land of Egypt, upon man, and upon beast, and upon every herb of the field, throughout the land of Egypt. And Moses stretched forth his rod toward heaven: and the LORD sent thunder and hail, and the fire ran along upon the ground; and the LORD rained hail upon the land of Egypt. So there was hail, and fire mingled with the hail, very grievous, such as there was none like it in all the land of Egypt since it became a nation. And the hail smote throughout all the land of Egypt all that was in the field, both man and beast; and the hail smote every herb of the field, and brake every tree of the field. Only in the land of Goshen, where the children of Israel were, was there no hail. And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: the LORD is righteous, and I and my people are wicked. Intreat the LORD (for it is enough) that there be no more mighty thunderings and hail; and I will let you go, and ye shall stay no longer. And Moses said unto him, As soon as I am gone out of the city, I will spread abroad my hands unto the LORD; and the thunder shall cease, neither shall there be any more hail; that thou mayest know how that the earth is the LORD’S. But as for thee and thy servants, I know that ye will not yet fear the LORD God. And the flax and the barley was smitten: for the barley was in the ear, and the flax wasbolled. But the wheat and the rie were not smitten: for they were not grown up. And Moses went out of the city from Pharaoh, and spread abroad his hands unto the LORD: and the thunders and hail ceased, and the rain was not poured upon the earth.

The Lord sent hail stone against the Amorites to deliver the Gibonites who sought Joshua’s help.

Joshua 10:6-12 (KJV) And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us: for all the kings of the Amorites that dwell in the mountains are gathered together against us. So Joshua ascended from Gilgal, he, and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valour. And the LORD said unto Joshua, Fear them not: for I have delivered them into thine hand; there shall not a man of them stand before thee. Joshua therefore came unto them suddenly, and went up from Gilgal all night. And the LORD discomfited them before Israel, and slew them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them along the way that goeth up to Beth-horon, and smote them to Azekah, and unto Makkedah. And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword. Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon.

When Israel was facing the threat of the Philistines army set in array against them, God sent a great thunder to discomfit the Philistines. 

1 Samuel 7:5-12 (KJV) And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD. And they gathered together to Mizpeh, and drew water, and poured it out before the LORD, and fasted on that day, and said there, We have sinned against the LORD. And Samuel judged the children of Israel in Mizpeh. And when the Philistines heard that the children of Israel were gathered together to Mizpeh, the lords of the Philistines went up against Israel. And when the children of Israel heard it, they were afraid of the Philistines. And the children of Israel said to Samuel, Cease not to cry unto the LORD our God for us, that he will save us out of the hand of the Philistines. And Samuel took a sucking lamb, and offered it for a burnt offering wholly unto the LORD: and Samuel cried unto the LORD for Israel; and the LORD heard him. And as Samuel was offering up the burnt offering, the Philistines drew near to battle against Israel: but the LORD thundered with a great thunder on that day upon the Philistines, and discomfited them; and they were smitten before Israel. And the men of Israel went out of Mizpeh, and pursued the Philistines, and smote them, until they came under Beth-car. Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Eben-ezer, saying, Hitherto hath the LORD helped us.

Wars and battles were fought by the instruments of God’s hand as the hail to determine the course of the conflicts. It is God Almighty who He commands the environment for His eternal purpose to the glory of His Name.

And the wind that blows upon the earth. It is God Himself who directed them – John 3:8 (KJV) The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.

CONCLUSION

May the people of God marvel and give all praise and fear to our Almighty Creator and Sustainer of all life. Amen.