5.13.2026 - Matt Hekman

May 13

Many stories in the bible give us a picture of the incomprehensibility of God. There are many examples where God’s purpose is hidden or at least non-obvious. The story of Job is definitely one of those stories.

Read the first two chapters of Job.

Job, a “blameless and upright man”, known by God for his character, was put through terrible tragedy and loss, in the complete knowledge and with the allowance of God. Job was doing everything right, and yet everything went wrong for him. A wealthy and well loved man, he had everything including his health taken from him. After everything was taken from him, he had to endure his so-called friends spending chapter after chapter of the book of Job telling him how it had to be his fault. It was not. Job knew it was not, and he made his case to his friends, and ultimately challenging God:

“Oh, that I had someone to hear me! I sign now my defense—let the Almighty answer me; let my accuser put his indictment in writing.” (31:35)

Finally we hear from God in chapter 38.

“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. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone— while the morning stars sang together and all the angels[a] shouted for joy? (38:2-7)

Keep reading through the end of Job chapter 41 to hear God tell Job all the things about which he has absolutely no idea whatsoever. It’s basically everything. Job has no standing before God, because he has no understanding of the things of God.

In the end (read chapter 42), God restored Job, giving him more than was taken from him. But he didn’t give him one thing – a reason why he had to suffer. Only God has the answer to that.

Now, go with me to Romans 11:33-36:

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.

Paul, in his famous doxology near the end of the book of Romans, quotes the book of Job and Isaiah as he practically sings about how incomprehensible God is. The fact that Paul can’t come close to claiming to know everything about God, even as a very educated student of God’s word, brings him to a place of worship.

Consider today how much of God he has already shown you, and how much more there is to know. So much! May that understanding that we serve a vast and mighty God, who still cares for us, and wants us to know him, cause you to worship him with the enthusiasm we see in Paul’s doxology.