“Does he who fashioned the ear not hear?
Does he who formed the eye not see?
Does he who disciplines nations not punish?
Does he who teaches mankind lack knowledge?
The Lord knows all human plans;
he knows that they are futile.“
Psalm 94:9-11
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As we continue to behold our all-knowing God, this week’s passage reminds us that God is the Creator who “fashioned the ear” and “formed the eye.” Genesis 1-2 tells the story of God creating the heavens and the earth and all that is in them. He was there “in the beginning,” intricately designing, fashioning, and forming humans and the world we inhabit. God’s Word continues to testify that God is the Creator with complete knowledge of His creation, its intended function, and why things are as they are.
What questions do you have for God about His creation? I polled my friends and family, and here are a few we have:
When did God create the earth?
Where was the Garden of Eden?
How many stars are in the Milky Way?
How many grains of sand are on the seashores?
Why did God make mosquitos? Or cicadas?
Is there life on other planets?
We may not find specific answers to these queries in the Bible, but God knows we have questions. I think this is one reason God includes Job’s story in His Word. I truly hope no one can relate to all parts of Job’s tragic story, but I imagine most can relate to his basic question of why God allows His people to suffer. God graciously responds to Job, but He does not directly answer. Instead, God questions Job.
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm. He said:
“Who is this that obscures my plans
with words without knowledge?
Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
“Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.”
Job 38:1-4
What follows is a series of rhetorical questions and statements in Job 38-41, in which God proves His complete knowledge of His creation, covering earth and sea, light and darkness, snow, hail, lightning, rain, dew, and ice, constellations of stars, and animals with their unique abilities, appetites, habits, and habitats.
God’s response clearly proves that He is God and Job is not. Job appropriately bows in submission and acceptance of God’s omniscience and his own limits.
Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.”
Job 42:1-3
Along with Job, let’s acknowledge God’s complete knowledge and our limited understanding. This is foundational to beholding our all-knowing God and allowing us to trust our Creator even when all our questions are not answered.
Questions for reflection and discussion:
- What questions do you have for God about His creation?
- What amazes you about this world?
- What perplexes you?
- How can you glorify God by acknowledging His knowledge and your limits?
Church Reading Plan: Jeremiah 19; Mark 5