Do You Know … (Job 38-39)

Job 39:1-4 (ESV)

“Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?

Do you observe the calving of the does?

Can you number the months that they fulfill,

and do you know the time when they give birth,

when they crouch, bring forth their offspring,

and are delivered of their young?

Their young ones become strong; they grow up in the open;

they go out and do not return to them.

Have you ever had a pop quiz in school that you were utterly unprepared for?   Have you ever had an auditor show up at work and you had no idea they were coming?    Have you ever had your six year old ask you, “Daddy, where do pelicans lay their eggs?” Have you ever had your wife ask you, “Honey, which pair of shoes looks best with this dress?”  If you have anything like this you might have a glimpse of what Job is feeling from the above text.  Job has been complaining that he wanted an audience with God.  In essence, the first 36 chapters of the book, Job has been saying, “When I get to heaven I am going to give God a piece of my mind!”   Well, he didn’t have to wait.  God came to his doorstep.  Upon arrival, God put him through a series of interrogations.  The above verses are part of God’s numerous questions to Job regarding what he doesn’t know.  All of the questions are to show Job that he doesn’t know much.   God’s plan is to show Job that he is a man and God is God, so let’s stop with the complaints.   In the above text God highlights the mountain goats.  These animals live in the highest parts of the mountain. They hide in places most men can’t get to, much less see.  Yet, God protects them and provides for them.  God knows where they give birth to their young.  Job does not.   If we are in the midst of depression, anger and want, the best medicine for us is to reflect on the sovereignty and power of God.   We know very little about life.  God is in complete control and knows all things of life.   Rest in that while in the midst of despair.