Tell me something I don't already know! Job's friends didn't provide any wisdom or insight that he didn't already have. Although Job was a righteous and blameless man, he had become a laughingstock to his friends. Job observes that it is easy to look down on the misfortunate. When we see someone struggling in life, we often attribute it to poor decisions, effort, or upbringing. We shouldn't do that. Job realizes that the arguments of his friends are faulty. Sometimes the righteous do suffer and the wicked actually prosper in this world. Look at the marauders. They are living in peace! Look at those who provoke God. They are secure! Even the animals are wise enough to know that our lives are in God's hands, and he does with them whatever he pleases.

Job credits God with all wisdom and power. Who can undo anything he does? He brings low the mighty and robs the elders of their wisdom. He humbles the kings and pours contempt on the nobles. He causes nations to rise and fall. He enlarges them and scatters them. His wisdom and ways are unfathomable to us. They are unpredictable and beyond our comprehension. Job knows that God has sovereignly allowed all the calamities in his life to happen. It was not due to sin, however. God had other reasons.


Application: Father, help us to always trust in your ways.
One Word: Our lives are in God's hands