Job 38:4-6 - Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone-

Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof;

Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding, Who set its measurements? Since you know. Or who stretched the line on it? On what were its bases sunk? Or who laid its cornerstone,

Job 38:4-6

Commentary

In previous chapters Job complains to God about His allowing continuous calamity to beset his life. As part of God's response to Job, He points out that Job's perspective is limited due to his relatively short span of life, limited knowledge, and limited experience. In contrast, God not only existed from eternity but created the entire world with all of its complexity and wonder. Creation of the world is described, as commonly done in ancient Near Eastern literature, in terms of the building of a temple, since temples were seen as microcosms of the entire cosmos. The mention of dimensions and measuring lines alludes to building blueprints with measurement grids, and the description of setting pillars and laying the cornerstone alludes to the foundational stages of the temple building process. The extraordinary majesty and harmony of both the design and continued functioning of nature demonstrates God's absolute authority and ability to perfectly govern every facet of the world. As such, we can take great conform in knowing that God sees and constrains every detail of our lives to work for His greater purposes (Romans 8:28), even if many tragedies and challenging circumstances can not be fully understood until we enter the new creation.

Today's Commentary by:
Dr. Brian Miller, http://drbmiller.wordpress.com