Job 26 Sermon

The Majesty of the Mystery: A Sermon on Job 26

 

 If all dogs go to heaven?

 

Prior to the Big Bang — yes, before the Big Bang — the universe underwent a breathtaking cosmic expansion, doubling in size at least 80 times in a fraction of a second. This rapid inflation, fueled by a mysterious form of energy that permeated empty space itself, left the universe desolate and cold.

Only after that did the hot, dense conditions of the Big Bang emerge: As the doubling of the universe ceased, the energy of the vacuum underwent a metamorphosis, transforming into particles of matter and radiation. That metamorphosis flooded space with the superhot plasma of the Big Bang, which forged the primordial elements that went on to make the stars and galaxies we see today.

 

 But this particular story has a twist: If cosmic inflation correctly describes what happened before the Big Bang, it may push the ultimate answer to the question of where we came from beyond the reach of science.

“We don’t know anything about what came before inflation. It’s doubtful that we’ll ever know,” Kinney says. “One reason is because cosmic inflation is a big eraser. Any trace of the initial conditions of how it got started get diluted because of this exponentially large expansion. Any trace of the circumstances that led to inflation are erased by inflation itself: No matter where it starts, it ends up in the same places.”

 

Job 3:

    "How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?" - Job challenges the arguments of his friends. They claim suffering is punishment for sin, but Job sees weak and powerless people suffer. He questions how this aligns with God's supposed help for the righteous.

Job 4:

    "How hast thou counselled him that hath no wisdom? and how hast thou plentifully declared the thing as it is?" - Job continues his critique. He doubts their simplistic explanations for his suffering.

Job 5:

    "To whom hast thou uttered words? and whose spirit came from thee?" - Job questions for whom his friends' pronouncements are meant. Does God need their explanations?

Job 6:

    "Dead things are formed from under the waters, and the inhabitants thereof." - Job shifts his focus. He starts describing the wonders of creation, even in death.

Job 7:

    "Hell is naked before him, and destruction hath no covering." - "Hell" here refers to the realm of the dead, not punishment. Job highlights God's dominion over all creation, even the unseen.

Job 8:

    "He stretcheth out the north over the empty place, and hangeth the earth upon nothing." - Job describes the seemingly impossible - the vastness of the north sky and the earth suspended in space. This hints at God's immense power.

Job 9:

    "He bindeth up the waters in his thick clouds; and the cloud is not rent under them." - Job focuses on another wonder - the control of vast amounts of water held within clouds.

Job 10:

    "He holdeth back the face of his throne, and spreadeth his cloud upon it." - This verse might be metaphorical, suggesting the mystery surrounding God's presence.

Job 11:

    "He hath compassed the waters with bounds, until the day and night come to an end." - Job describes the order and boundaries God has set for the natural world.

Job 12:

    "The pillars of heaven tremble and are astonished at his reproof." - Here, "pillars" are symbolic of the very foundation of creation. Job suggests even the greatest things are subject to God's power.

Job 13:

    "He divideth the sea with his power, and by his understanding he smiteth through the proud." - God's power extends even to the mighty ocean. Job might be hinting that human pride is insignificant compared to God.

Job 14:

    "By his spirit he hath garnished the heavens; his hand hath formed the crooked serpent." - God's creative power is vast, from the beauty of the heavens to even the seemingly insignificant details.

Climax (Job 14):

    "Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?" - This is a powerful summation. Job acknowledges the wonders he described are just a tiny fraction of God's works. Human understanding is limited compared to the "thunder" of God's immense power.

Significance:

This passage shows Job beginning to see God's majesty reflected in creation. He moves from demanding answers for his suffering to a sense of awe at the divine mystery. It paves the way for a potential shift in his perspective, from seeking explanations to accepting the limitations of human understanding.

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We find ourselves today in the depths of Job’s struggle. The man who once had everything has lost it all – his wealth, his health, his children. His friends, sent to comfort him, have only deepened his wounds with shallow pronouncements about God’s justice.

But Job, even in his despair, refuses to deny God. In Job 26, he turns his gaze not to his own suffering, but to the wonders of creation.

The Power Beyond Understanding (Job 26:2-14)

“How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?” (Job 26:2) Job begins by questioning the arguments of his friends. They speak of God’s power, but Job sees a different kind of power at work – the power displayed in the vastness of creation.

He speaks of the pillars of the earth hanging in nothingness, the waters held in the clouds, the mighty sea restrained by God’s command (Job 26:7-11). These are not things we can fully understand, yet they point to a power far beyond our own.

The Glimpse of the Greater Glory (Job 26:14)

“Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?” (Job 26:14)

 

 

Job acknowledges that these wonders are but a mere whisper of God’s true power. The immensity of creation, the vastness of the unknown, all speak to a God far greater than we can comprehend.

Finding Comfort in the Mystery

Brothers and Sisters, Job’s journey is a mirror to our own. We face suffering, loss, and times when life seems to make no sense. In those moments, it’s tempting to demand answers from God, to try and understand why things are the way they are.

But Job’s experience teaches us something different. It teaches us that finding comfort doesn’t come from understanding everything, but from awe. It comes from recognizing the vastness and majesty of God’s creation, a creation that hints at a power and purpose far beyond our limited human perspective.

Trusting in the Unseen Hand

We may not understand why bad things happen, but just as Job could see God’s power in the wonders of creation, we can see God’s love in the blessings that surround us.

The warmth of the sun, the beauty of a flower, the love of a friend – these are all gifts from a God who cares for us, even when we can’t see his hand at work.

So, let us take heart from Job’s example. In the midst of suffering, let us turn our eyes to the wonders of creation and find comfort in the mystery of God. Let us trust that even when we don’t understand, His hand is guiding us, and His love is ever-present.

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In Job 26:2, Job raises a question that sits at the heart of his struggle. Here's a breakdown of the verse and its significance:

• "How hast thou helped him that is without power? how savest thou the arm that hath no strength?" Job is directly addressing the arguments of his friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar). They've been insisting that suffering is a consequence of sin, but Job doesn't see the connection. He sees people who are weak and powerless experiencing hardship, and wonders how this aligns with God's justice and supposed help for the righteous.

Interpretation:

• Job isn't denying God's power.
• He's questioning the simplistic explanation his friends offer for his suffering.
• He's highlighting the apparent contradiction: if God is truly powerful and helps the weak, why is he suffering so much?

This verse is a turning point in the book of Job.

• Job shifts his focus from his own pain to the vastness of creation.
• He begins to see glimpses of God's power in the natural world, a power that is far beyond human understanding.

The next verses (26:3-14) explore this theme further. Job describes the wonders of creation – the earth suspended in space, the control over the waters, the expanse of the heavens. This awe-inspiring power, he suggests, is a different kind of answer to his questions than the simplistic pronouncements of his friends.

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• The limitations of human understanding. Here's a breakdown:
  
      "Lo, these are parts of his ways:"
  
        Job acknowledges the wonders of creation he's described (pillars of the earth, control over waters) as just glimpses, mere "parts" of God's vast ways of working.  Imagine looking at a single brushstroke on a giant masterpiece - it gives you a hint, but doesn't reveal the whole picture.
  
      "but how little a portion is heard of him?" This emphasizes the immensity of God. We can only perceive a tiny fraction of who He is and what He does. It's like trying to understand the ocean by tasting a single drop.
  
  Interpretation:
  
      Job isn't saying God is unknowable.
      He's acknowledging the limitations of human comprehension. We can experience God's presence and power in creation, but we can't fully grasp the divine essence.
  
  Significance:
  
      This line is a key turning point in Job's journey. He starts by questioning God's justice, but through contemplating creation, he gains a deeper appreciation for God's greatness.
      It highlights the importance of humility and awe in our relationship with God.
      It opens the possibility of faith that embraces mystery, trusting God even when we don't have all the answers.

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  The Big Bang theory and Divine creation offer two very different explanations for the origin of the universe.
  
   Here's a breakdown of each:
  
  The Big Bang Theory:
  
      Scientific theory: Supported by a wide range of evidence from various scientific fields like astronomy, physics, and cosmology.
      The Beginning: The universe began from a very hot, dense state and has been expanding and cooling ever since.
      Timeline: Estimated to be around 13.8 billion years old.
      Mechanism: The theory describes the processes that likely led to the formation of galaxies, stars, planets, and eventually life.
      Doesn't address: The Big Bang doesn't explain what caused the initial singularity or why the laws of physics exist as they do.
  
  Divine Creation:
  
      Religious belief: Found in various religions, with specific details differing depending on the faith.
      The Beginning: The universe was created by a divine being or beings.
      Timeline: Varies depending on the specific religion. Some may have literal interpretations of creation stories, while others might view them as metaphorical.
      Mechanism: The specifics of creation are explained through faith and religious texts.
      Focuses on: The role of a creator deity in bringing the universe into existence.
  
  Key Differences:
  
      Evidence: The Big Bang relies on scientific evidence, while Divine creation is based on faith.
      Explanation: The Big Bang describes the physical processes of the universe's origin, while Divine creation focuses on the source (a deity).
      Timeline: The Big Bang offers a scientific timeline, while Divine creation may have different interpretations of time.
  
  Finding Common Ground:
  
      Some people believe science and religion can coexist.
      The Big Bang could be seen as the "how" of creation, while Divine creation explains the "who" or "why."
      Ultimately, how you view these concepts depends on your own beliefs and perspectives.
  
  It's important to note:
  
      Science and religion are not inherently in conflict.
      They can offer different, but valuable, ways of understanding the universe.

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  The Big Bang theory and Divine creation tackle the origin of the universe from vastly different angles. Here's a breakdown to understand the contrasts:

  The Big Bang Theory:

  • Scientific Theory: Backed by a mountain of evidence from astronomy, physics, and cosmology.
  • The Beginning: The universe sprang from a super hot, dense state, rapidly expanding and cooling ever since. Scientists estimate this happened roughly 13.8 billion years ago.
  • The How: The Big Bang describes the sequence of events that likely led to galaxies, stars, planets, and ultimately, life.
  • Limitations: It doesn't explain what caused the initial singularity or why the laws of physics are the way they are. It's the "how" of the universe, not the "why".

  Divine Creation:

  • Religious Belief: Found in numerous religions, with details varying depending on the faith.
  • The Beginning: A divine being or beings created the universe.
  • Timeline: Concepts of time can differ. Some religions interpret creation stories literally, while others view them symbolically.
  • The Why: The focus is on the role of a creator in bringing everything into existence.

  Key Differences:

  • Evidence: The Big Bang relies on scientific observation and data, while Divine creation is based on faith and religious texts.
  • Focus: The Big Bang explains the physical processes, while Divine creation explains the source (a deity).
  • Timeline: The Big Bang offers a scientific timeline, while Divine creation might have different interpretations of time.

  Finding Common Ground:

  • Some people believe science and religion can coexist.
  • The Big Bang could be seen as the "how" of creation, while Divine creation explains the "who" or "why."
  • Ultimately, how you view these concepts depends on your own beliefs and perspectives.

  Important Note:

  • Science and religion are not inherently at odds.
  • They can offer different, but valuable, ways of understanding the universe.

  The argument for divine creation centers around the idea that the universe exhibits evidence of design and purpose, pointing to the existence of a creator God. Here are some key points often used:

  The Complexity of the Universe:

  • Proponents of divine creation argue that the universe is incredibly complex, with finely tuned physical laws that allow for life to exist. This complexity, they say, is unlikely to have arisen by chance and suggests the work of an intelligent designer.
  • Examples include the specific values of fundamental constants like the speed of light or the gravitational constant, which seem precisely balanced for life's emergence.

  The Argument from Design:

  • This argument compares the universe to human-made objects. A watch, for example, implies a watchmaker. Similarly, the intricate order and design observed in nature suggest a divine designer.
  • The human body with its complex systems and the interdependence of life forms in ecosystems are often cited as examples.

  The Argument from First Cause:

  • This argument states that everything that exists must have a cause. The universe itself must have had a first cause, something that existed outside of space and time to bring it into being.
  • This first cause, according to divine creation, is God, the uncaused cause.

  Religious Texts and Experiences:

  • Many religions have creation stories that explain the origin of the universe through the act of a divine being.
  • Personal religious experiences, such as feelings of awe or connection to something greater, can also be seen as evidence of a creator.

  Criticisms of the Argument:

  • It's difficult to prove a negative. The lack of a better explanation for the universe's origin doesn't necessarily point to a divine creator.
  • The argument from design is subjective. What constitutes "design" can be a matter of interpretation.
  • The argument from first cause doesn't necessarily lead to a creator God. There could be other explanations beyond our current understanding.

  It's important to note:

  • The argument for divine creation is a faith-based position. It relies on belief in a higher power.
  • Science offers alternative explanations for the origin of the universe, such as the Big Bang theory.

  Ultimately, the question of whether to accept divine creation is a personal one.

  where did the material of the Big Bang come from
  Show drafts
  
  This is a question that scientists are still grappling with! The Big Bang theory describes the universe's expansion from a very hot, dense state, but it doesn't definitively explain where the material for that initial state came from. Here are some of the leading ideas:
  
      Quantum Fluctuations: In the realm of quantum mechanics, tiny fluctuations in energy and space itself might have occurred before the Big Bang.  These fluctuations could have then expanded rapidly in the Big Bang, forming the building blocks of the universe.
  
      Prior Universe: Some theoretical models suggest there might have been a universe before ours.  This prior universe could have collapsed in on itself, leading to a Big Bang that formed our current universe.  However, evidence for this is purely theoretical.
  
      Singularity: The Big Bang often refers to a singularity, a point of infinite density and temperature.  However, the nature of this singularity is not fully understood.  Some theories propose that the laws of physics as we know them might break down at that point, making it difficult to say what "material" existed before.
  
  The Bottom Line:
  
      We don't have a definitive answer yet.
      Current physics struggles to explain the conditions of the very early universe.
      Scientists are actively researching these questions, and new discoveries might shed light on the origin of the material for the Big Bang.
  
  Here are some resources if you'd like to delve deeper:
  
      Article: "What Happened Before the Big Bang?" by Scientific American (https://www.buffalo.edu/news/releases/2022/03/033.html)

  
  

   Q: In the book, you talk about how the classic concept of the Big Bang is an incomplete theory. What does it leave out?
  
  Kinney: “Standard Big Bang theory doesn’t have any explanation for why the universe is so smooth and so uniform, for all these basic properties of the cosmos that we see. Cosmic inflation sets up this initial state. It’s a theory that explains the initial conditions for the Big Bang.
  
  “Inflation tells us that the period of time before the Big Bang was extremely cold, almost at absolute zero, and it was empty of everything but empty space, and that empty space carried energy that stretched the universe out to this enormous size and into the initial state before the Big Bang.
  
  “In order to explain the properties of the universe we see today, the universe had to double in size at least 80 times. That’s a lower bound, so you had to have at least that much doubling. To visualize this doubling, imagine a chess board. Place one penny on the first square, two on the next, and four on the next. If you continue doubling the number of pennies on each square, you will be a millionaire at the 28th square, and a billionaire by the 38th square. By the time you fill all 64 squares, you will be a trillionaire thousands of times over. Inflation involves at least 80 doublings, stretching a patch of space about the size of a grapefruit to the size of our entire observable universe in less than a trillionth of a second.”
  

  
   
      Complementary Views: Some believe science explains the "how" of the universe's origin (Big Bang), while religion explains the "who" or "why" (Divine creation).

  
      God as the Starter: The Big Bang could be seen as the mechanism God used to set the universe in motion.

  
      Mystery Remains: Even with the Big Bang, there are unexplained aspects like the initial singularity. This leaves room for faith and a divine creator.