The Wisdom of Job, David and Paul!

Dennis Edwards

Job 12:7-10. "But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach you; and the fowls of the air, and they shall tell you: Or speak to the earth, and it shall teach you: and the fish of the sea shall declare unto you. Who knows not in all these that the hand of the Lord has wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind."

Job is saying that in our studies of animal life (the beasts), bird life (the fowls of the air), marine life (the fish of the sea) and geology, chemistry and physics (the earth) we should find God.

David, the Psalmist, and great king of Israel sang in Psalm 19:1 "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament shows his handiwork. Day unto day do they speak, and night unto night do they show forth knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard."

David is saying that the skies are declaring the existence of God unto us. Throughout the day they are speaking to us, and at night, also. Watch the sunrise, or the clouds forming, or racing across the noon day sky, or before an approaching storm. Watch the sun set. Watch the stars come out. When we stop to look up, our spirits are somehow refreshed, renewed, and strengthened. That is why we rush off to the country whenever we get a chance, or to play golf, or go fishing as some men like to do, or take a stroll in the park, or along the beach. There alone in nature our spirits are comforted, and relaxed by the soothing force of the presence of God. Science has even found that the colours green (of nature) and blue (of the sky and sea) have a relaxing effect upon us psychologically.

Paul in his letter to the Romans goes on to write: "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." Romans 1:20.

Again, like Job and David before him, Paul admonishes us that if we study the things around us, we will find God. He even says, we have no excuse for not finding God, for He is clearly seen and understood by the things He has made.

Three great men of times past, Job from around 2000 BC, David from around 1000 BC and Paul around 50 AD, give us the same counsel. These men were head and shoulders above their brethren, in so much, that we still have their words with us today. Those words are read daily by millions of people around the world. Each of these men admonishes us that the presence of God can be found in His creation. God is speaking through His creation, if we will open our hearts and minds and ears and listen.