When I was growing up, I remember asking my mother a question repeatedly, “Why?” Why do I have to do that? Why can’t I have that toy? And when I had asked the question enough times without getting the answer that my young mind would deem as satisfactory, my mother would answer, “Because I said so!!” Thus ended the conversation.
Job was an adult known to be blessed by Yahweh. But then, without knowing why, Job began to experience hardships. He accused God of sending the hardships upon him. Job questioned God as though God was inferior to Job! And finally, God answered Job with a because-I-said-so type answer. Through a series of ironical questions, God made the point that Job is in no position to challenge God. Job is creature. God is creator. Therefore, God has wisdom that creatures do not have. Job was called to trust God and God’s wisdom.
As I grew to be an adult, I began to appreciate that when my mother said, “Because I said so,” it was her way of saying, “Trust me. I know what is best for you.” God’s answer to Job helps us see God in the same light. God is God. We are creatures of God. Our place is to trust God.
God, remind me always that you are God. Amen. —