Job 21 … Consider Him Who Teaches Knowledge

Originally posted: 8/27/2020

“Can anyone teach God knowledge,
In that He judges those on high?” (21:22).

At this point, you can almost hear Job scream, “Why won’t anybody listen to me?” Job has certainly learned not to expect any mercy or compassion to be extended from the three who had “come to sympathize with him and comfort him,” (Job 2:11).

Now, the only consolation Job desires is that he would at least be heard. Just let him speak his mind, then they can resume their mocking chastisement.

“Listen carefully to my speech,
And let this be your way of consolation.
³ “Bear with me that I may speak;
Then after I have spoken, you may mock,” (Job 21:2-3).

All the claims his friends have made about the lot that befalls the wicked in this life do not ring true. And while Job is utterly terrified with what has become his life, he is also dismayed by the fact that God does not seem to rebuke or punish the wicked, but leaves them alone to enjoy their prosperity.

“Why do the wicked still live,
Continue on, also become very powerful?
⁸ “Their descendants are established with them in their sight,
And their offspring before their eyes,
⁹ Their houses are safe from fear,
And the rod of God is not on them…” (21:7-9).

And while so much makes absolutely no sense to Job, so much he does not know, one thing is crystal clear; one thing he knows beyond a shadow of a doubt: no one can teach God. Some may deny Him, some may refuse Him, some may reject Him, but in Job’s rhetorical question, we hear his assertion, no one can teach God anything.

“Can anyone teach God knowledge,
In that He judges those on high?” (21:22).

God alone is exalted above all; He alone is able to judge the most powerful; for He alone has all Knowledge. None can teach Him.

Who has directed the Spirit of the LORD,
Or as His counselor has informed Him? (Isaiah 40:13).

None can teach Him; but oh, how He can Teach us!

Consider Him Who Teaches Knowledge

His Knowledge is beyond our human comprehension.

O Lord, You have searched me and known me…
⁶ Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is too high, I cannot attain to, (Psalm 139:1, 6).

And while we cannot possibly attain to all that He Knows, He Teaches us all that we need for this life and beyond.

• He Teaches Knowledge; for He alone is Omniscient.
  • With whom did He consult and who gave Him understanding?
    And who taught Him in the path of justice and taught Him knowledge
    And informed Him of the way of understanding?…
    ²⁵ “To whom then will you liken Me
    That I would be his equal?” says the Holy One,  (Isaiah 40:14, 25).
    

• He Teaches Knowledge to instruct us in His way.
  • Good and upright is the Lord;
    Therefore He instructs sinners in the way.
    ⁹ He leads the humble in justice,
    And He teaches the humble His way, (Psalm 25:8-9).

• He Teaches Knowledge with His eye upon us.
  • I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
    I will counsel you with My eye upon you, (Psalm 32:8).

• He Teaches Knowledge from our youth.
  • O God, You have taught me from my youth,
    And I still declare Your wondrous deeds, (Psalm 71:17).

• He Teaches Knowledge to chasten us.
  • He who chastens the nations, will He not rebuke,
    Even He who teaches man knowledge?
    ¹¹ The Lord knows the thoughts of man,
    That they are a mere breath.
    ¹² Blessed is the man whom You chasten, O Lord,
    And whom You teach out of Your law; (Psalm 94:10-12).

• He Teaches Knowledge that our well-being will be great.
  • “All your sons will be taught of the Lord;
    And the well-being of your sons will be great,” (Isaiah 54:13).

• He Teaches Knowledge again and again.
  • “They have turned their back to Me and not their face; though I taught them, teaching again and again, they would not listen and receive instruction,” (Jeremiah 32:33).

• He Teaches Knowledge as we come to the Son.
  • “It is written in the prophets, ‘And they shall all be taught of God.’ Everyone who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me,” (John 6:45).

• He Teaches Knowledge as the Holy Spirit reminds us of the Words of Jesus.
  • “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you,” (John 14:26).

• He Teaches Knowledge through His Inspired Scripture.
  • All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; (2 Timothy 3:16).

How do we respond to Him Who Teaches Knowledge?

When we have questions, when we are in need of mercy and compassion, when it feels as though nobody is listening, He is! And He is waiting on high to have compassion on us.

Therefore the Lord longs to be gracious to you,
And therefore He waits on high to have compassion on you.
For the Lord is a God of justice;
How blessed are all those who long for Him, (Isaiah 30:18).

As we long for Him, we will naturally (or supernaturally) long for His Word, where He compassionately reveals Himself Who Teaches Knowledge.

And as we meet with Him in His Word, He will be faithful to guide us in how we can ask Him to Teach us Knowledge.

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge to know Your ways and Your truth.
  • Make me know Your ways, O Lord;
    Teach me Your paths.
    ⁵ Lead me in Your truth and teach me,
    For You are the God of my salvation;
    For You I wait all the day, (Psalm 25:4-5).

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge that we may fear You.
  • Who is the man who fears the Lord?
    He will instruct him in the way he should choose, (Psalm 25:12).

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge that we may be faithful in the midst of attack.
  • Teach me Your way, O Lord,
    And lead me in a level path
    Because of my foes, (Psalm 27:11).

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge that our heart would be wholly united in reverence and obedience.
  • Teach me Your way, O Lord;
    I will walk in Your truth;
    Unite my heart to fear Your name, (Psalm 86:11).

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge for we believe You.
  • Teach me good discernment and knowledge,
    For I believe in Your commandments, (Psalm 119:66).

• Lord, Teach us Knowledge that we would never turn away.
  • I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,
    For You Yourself have taught me, (Psalm 119:102).

Lord, Teach us Knowledge as we come to You every day. Let us begin each morning in Your Word, that we would grow in faith as we learn to walk in Your will. As we open Your Holy Word, to You alone will we lift up our soul, for we trust You Who Teaches Knowledge.

Let me hear Your lovingkindness in the morning;
For I trust in You;
Teach me the way in which I should walk;
For to You I lift up my soul…
¹⁰ Teach me to do Your will,
For You are my God; (Psalm 143:8, 10).

Let’s Grow Together!