Can We Question God? Job 40:1-14; 42:1-6

The easy answer to the question above is yes. Yes we can question God, and not all questioning of God is bad. Read through the Psalms and see how often the Psalmists question God about different things. In fact, by our questioning we assume God has control over the situation. There is something very appropriate about coming to God as a father and asking him, "Why?"

The other easy answer to the question is no. No we can't question God. God is the maker of the universe, he is the righteous judge and he does what he will do. Far be it for a man to question his maker. Can a pot say to the potter, "Why did you make me like this?" Of course not. It's nothing short of arrogance to come before God and suggest he owes us an explanation.

Whatever the situation, this much is clear. We must not come to God with any pride or arrogance in our heart. The prideful man has not recognized that God is God and so sets himself in opposition to his maker. The man who has seen God will always say, like Job, "I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

40:1 The LORD said to Job:
2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!"
3 Then Job answered the LORD :
4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more."
6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:
7 "Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
8 "Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
9 Do you have an arm like God's, and can your voice thunder like his?
10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at every proud man and bring him low,
12 look at every proud man and humble him, crush the wicked where they stand.
13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you...
42:1 Then Job replied to the LORD :
2 "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?' Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.'
5 My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
6 Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

Questions
1. What do you like in this passage?
2. What is difficult about this passage?
3. What did you learn about God?
4. What is He leading you to do?
. What part will you take with you and think about today?