God, in chapter 40, gives Job another chance to vent. Here it was, the opportunity again to tell God off! God gives Job an opening big enough to drive the proverbial truck through, and Job does not take it. God has been speaking using questions about natural things – clouds, weather, animals. Job has listened, but after all his desire to condemn God for punishing an innocent man, he is mute.
It is as though God says "You say I am wrong – me the Almighty? Well then, let the one who critizes God answer these questions I have been asking."
It's like some tough guy or gal who always bullies anyone who is not as strong as they are. They never really do anything physical, it is just the threat. And then Chuck Norris walks into the room and says "So you are a good fighter – let's go a round." Do you really think the bully would do that? Not in a million years.
We humans all know our limits. We talk a good game, but when it comes down to it, we really don't want to go up against some people. We know we'd be "dead meat."
Job finally got the message somewhere in these two chapters. Kind of like us when we finally are willing to admit we don't know everything. Or when our world is falling down around us and we are willing to admit we can't control everything. Job finally says "Look, I am like nothing – insignificant. What do I know that I can say to you?" He says he will slap his hand over his mouth and sounds like the accused in the room with the cops…"I ain't got nothing more to say."
God has come, not for the put down of all time, but rather to demonstrate that He is still in control. It was a wake up call for Job and his friends.
The picture here, as God asks "Do you have an arm like God, or a thunderous voice like His?" shows God reaching out. It shows that when God speaks, nothing can not hear. God is saying "I am here!"
He may not be finished with Job yet – there are still lessons to bring to his mind. Images of His greatness and power.
Imagine that you were Job. Would you have cracked? Would you have expected God to come down after all you had said and not just smash you? Imagine what Job is thinking about now in his life.