When I read the first line in chapters 38-end, I was ready to brace myself for an exciting end of the book. "38:1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 38:2 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge?" Doesn't that excite you?
I have to say God shows himself a little selfish and acted like a show off. I can't believe that being God, he couldn't come up with better arguments than stating all he had made and being so proud of it. "Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding." He kept the whole time talking about his creations and mentioning how he knew what they wanted and how they acted but Job didn't.
Then, another unexpected thing happened. I never thought I would hear God using sarcasm, but he did. "38:21 Knowest thou it, because thou wast then born? or because the number of thy days is great?" Or I didn't understand what He said, or God used sarcasm on Job! Actually, most of his arguments are exactly like the ones a human would give if they would have created the world.
There is not much else to say, because that is what repeatedly happens throughout the rest of the book of Job. God showing off what he did and what he knows, and blaming Job for daring to be against God if he didn't have as much power as Him. "39:26 Doth the hawk fly by thy wisdom, and stretch her wings toward the south? 39:27 Doth the eagle mount up at thy command, and make her nest on high?" He is basically saying "Did YOU create the earth? Does every creature follow your orders? I don't think so! So don't dare say something against me, because there is no doubt I could take you in a second." And that, I think, is unfair fighting and using the other's weakness in your favor, which should be a sin.
What I liked the least was Job's reaction. I think he would at least stand up for himself for a second, but no. As soon as God finished, Job was kissing his shoes and eating out of his hand. "40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth." It was clear God had won, and Job wasn't about to do anything about it. Such a baby.
He is not much of a sharer also. "41:11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine." That is very selfish from my point of view.
At the end, Job again says he is sorry: "42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," and it is clear he has no more arguments. God instead, says he will punish his friends, because they lied about him. But when Job prays for them, God stops his punishment, and gives his richness back. In fact, "42:10 ...the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." That, I think, is stupid. There goes the whole argument! All the things Job said, all his point of view, for nothing. He suffered for - what - 1 week? Then all his richness was given back to him, and more: God gave him twice as much as he had. That means it was all for nothing.
Oh and by the way, I found out the morale of this story for once. Don't mess with God, because what he wants, he will get, one way or another.
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