Higher Justice

Today, atheists use Job as an example of Christianity’s supposedly irrational defence of the existence of God in the face of suffering and evil. “Look,” they say, “Job has suffered excruciating loss and pain, and all God can do is point out that he sends snow and he was able to make some animals!”

Such an interpretation, however, is far from accurate. God has been pointing out to Job that only the Creator fully understands the created order. Only God himself has made and ultimately controls the natural world. The way God created, the way he sustains, and the way he controls his creation is beyond human understanding.

If Job cannot even fully comprehend the physical world around him, why should he think he is able to judge God’s justice? The Lord has given Job example after example of things in creation that he simply does not understand. God has reminded Job that the world was created long before Job was there to observe its birth. In other words, from the stars above to the animals below, human beings just do not grasp all that God has done and is doing.

In a world full of sin, suffering, and pain, it can look like God is unjust. There are many things that happen that we do not understand; many things seem pointless, preventable, and wrong. But how much do we really know? How much do we understand about anything, let alone universal justice? We see only a small part - and even what we see around us we do not comprehend - but God sees it all.

God comprehends creation in a way completely beyond our abilities - same with his comprehension of what is just and best. Yet this fact is one puzzle piece; Job 41 completes the picture.

Respond in Prayer

Lord, you know all things and do all things well. Our view is partial, our understanding limited, and our sense of justice is skewed. By your grace, grant us the wisdom to know our limitations. Forgive us for judging you when we know so little. May your kingdom come. Amen.

Steve West

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).