Job 12:1-10 – Means through which God is known

In anger, Job turned on his friends in sarcasm in this chapter. He refuted their claims of superiority over him. Job was, in fact, telling them that he knew far more than them about the power and wisdom of God. In verses 1-6, in sarcasm Job questioned their conceit and smugness.  He insisted that he knew about God’s power and wisdom equally much, if not more than them. Job couldn’t accept their predictable reasoning that the righteous always prosper and the wicked always suffer. Concerning his own situation, who would know better than him. The reality about life is that there are righteous people, like Job, who had suffered, and there are also terribly wicked men that seemed to be blessed.

In verses 7-10, Job told his three friends that their supposed wisdom was not as profound as they thought. Just merely observing nature and the life of beasts, birds and fish, can help one to conclude that God is truly in control of everything. What Job said here shows us that we can learn much from general observation. Man can generally know something about God through observing life and nature. This is known as general revelation. But truly knowing God personally and specifically would require special revelation. This is brought about by the illuminating work of the Holy Spirit, making clear the Word of God to us.  

This passage reminds us of the teachings of Psalm 19. We can know God through general revelation as verse 1 has said, “The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” Then verses 7-13 tell us that knowing God specifically we will need His special revelation through His Word. We need His life-transforming Word: 

The law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;

The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. 

The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever;
The judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether.
They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them Your servant is warned;
In keeping them there is great reward.
Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.