THE ONLY WISE GOD

Job 11:1-20 

Saturday, 16 May 2026

“Can you fathom the mysteries of God?

Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?

They are higher than the heavens above—what can you do?

They are deeper than the depths below—what can you know?” – Job 11:7-8

The book of Job is a Wisdom book in the Bible and rightly gives us things to ponder about the complexities of life. As discourses happen between Job and his friends, these friends take the advisory role rather than the sympathetic/empathetic role toward Job’s suffering. In today’s reading, Job’s friend Zophar accuses Job of indulging in idle talk, not considering God’s wisdom. Though Zophar mentions that one cannot fathom the mysteries of God, he speaks as though he understands God’s dealing with Job! How disappointing!

Job expressed his raw feelings as he went through the miserable experiences which he couldn’t make sense of, at all. But Job’s friends, instead of offering comfort or extending a sympathizing hand to relieve his misery, only added more fuel to the fire of suffering Job was enduring. Philosophizing doesn’t help to alleviate pain and may only add more grief than relief! Let us understand that most often it is best to offer our comforting presence to people going through “the grind”, than reasoning or advice.  

There is food for thought on a positive note on one aspect Zophar talked of- the unfathomable mysteries of God— the key verse points to the infinite God whose mysteries are beyond the finitehuman mind. There are attributes of God that are communicable to humans- like love, mercy, etcbut there are other attributes which are incommunicable—His preeminence, immutability, etc. As humans we are to understand our limitations and yield to the All-knowing God who says in Isaiah 46:10: “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ Since He works things in conformity to His will (cf. Eph.1:11), it is in the best interest of man (His creation) to yield to Him even when we don’t understand with our finite minds.

Yet God has let us know Him through the person of Jesus Christ whom the writer of Hebrews describes: The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being…. (Heb.1:3). Jesus was sent to earth that sinful man can be made right with a holy God and so went to the cross to pay the price of sin with his death. They who accept Him, believing in their heart and confessing with their mouths His lordship, will become sons and daughters of God. When we make that connection with our Creator then we realize that “His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.” (2 Peter 1:3)

Receiving Christ Jesus into our lives is so crucial for God’s wisdom to permeate in us and guide us in our earthly sojourn. Col.2:2-3 speaks of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge—may we learn from Him as we trust Him! Shall we also pray like Paul did for the believers- that our Heavenly Father may grant us the Spirit of wisdom and revelation that we may know Him better? (Eph.1:16). Yes we may not understand all of God’s ways with us—as Hs ways and thoughts are much higher than ours (Isaiah 55: 8,9) but we can trust Him with our lives knowing that Christ’s life in us, His wisdom working through us will steer us through difficult times until He brings us home to be with Him eternally!

Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!

How unsearchable his judgments,

and his paths beyond tracing out!

“Who has known the mind of the Lord?

Or who has been his counselor?”

“Who has ever given to God,

that God should repay them?”

For from him and through him and for him are all things.

To him be the glory forever! Amen.  (Rom.11:33-36)

Listen: 'I stand in awe of You'