Job 12

My desk sits near a window in our old farmhouse. It allows a good view of the side hill and woods and, if I lean back enough, the old apple orchard where the deer meet each morning. There’s a Christmas tree graveyard in these woods, where my boys have dumped our old trees for four seasons now. The squirrels love to play in those discarded trees. They race and chase each other over stumps, fallen trees, our old conifers, and up the harsh, thorny locust trees. I see thin, fretful red squirrels and fat, gray, agreeable fellows on a daily basis. But my favorite is the black squirrel. There’s an argumentative pair of them that have regular fights in these woods. They’re mad at each other. All the time. Just mad. Well, so it seems to me from my desk inside my warm house, watching them hunt for food and treasure in the iced over snow mounds and dead Christmas trees. Sometimes I talk to them the way my grandmother would, scolding and chuckling over their antics, giving advice on where to hide their walnuts and acorns.

According to the hunters in my life, if you see squirrels in the woods when you’re hunting, be assured, they will ruin your hunt by alerting every living thing within earshot that you’re there. Camouflaged or not, your excellent hiding place will be revealed. And, if the squirrels don’t reveal your spot, when you pull your bow back and take aim, they will talk smack, causing you to lose your focus. And then, when you miss, and you will, they will laugh and laugh. Or, they will wait until you are sufficiently settled in your tree stand, and then crash through the branches, sounding convincingly like a moose in the tree tops above you. How does such a little fellow make such a big noise? Bless them.

I do bless them, and I feed them. I fill the bird feeders with seed I know they’ll like. I don’t use squirrel-proof feeders. I tried that once. The squirrels called a bear to open it for them. That feeder was never usable again, and my dog was traumatized by the strong smell of bear for weeks.

I have found, as I age, that the behaviors and characteristics of the animals around our home speak to me more and more of the care, sovereignty, and humor of our good God. I once cried from the cuteness overload of a racoon, emerging from his hollow in a tree in our front yard for his evening snack. So precious! His perked-up ears, his tiny fingers, the little mask. God provides food for each of these creatures and gives us a sense of care over them as well. Nothing makes me happier than finding a bag of feed corn ripped open on my picnic table and fat squirrels nibbling at the fragrant yellow kernels.

We confess with other believers that the divine purpose of all humanity is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. All of creation shouts His glory. Each red, gray, black, fluffy chatter box in the woods does exactly this just by existing. Job reminds his friends, and now us, that this is so.

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.”

Job 12:7-10

But let’s back up a bit. Job starts this response with a healthy serving of sarcasm (am I just reading it this way? You know, those who have a hammer think everything is a nail…). He is wise and witty in his pointed statement. Obviously, when his friends die, all the wisdom on the earth will be gone.

“No doubt you are the people, and wisdom will die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these.”

Job 12:1

Let’s review: The “such things as these” that Job is referring to is the Sunday School explanation given by Zophar in the last chapter. Zophar had to make sure Job knew that God can not be understood by feeble people. He reminded Job that God’s thoughts and ways are too deep for humans to grasp. Yes, true. And Job’s reply indicates that he felt patronized by Zophar. Job already knew this to be true. All of creation knows this, even the beasts and the trees. God’s wisdom goes beyond our comprehension, and His ways are His.

“With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open.”

Job 12:13-14

Some additional passages to consider in light of this huge concept:

“‘You are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and my servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. I, I am the LORD, and beside me there is no savior. I declared and saved and proclaimed, when there was no strange god among you; and you are my witnesses,’ declares the LORD, ‘and I am God. Also, henceforth I am he; there is none who can deliver from my hand; I work, and who can turn it back?'”

Isaiah 43:10-13

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities – all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

Colossians 1:15-17

Everything…made by God and for God’s purpose, and for God’s glory; made by Him and held together by Him. From the smart-mouthed squirrels, the helpful bears, the adorable racoons, to you and me and all humanity. He has made us, and we answer to Him. Nothing is hidden from Him. Our sins are known by Him. Our weaknesses, our hurts and needs. He sees it all. Is this uncomfortable? Does it seem intrusive? Or, am I comforted and strengthened by it?

“With him are strength and sound wisdom; the deceived and the deceiver are his.”

“He uncovers the deeps out of darkness and brings deep darkness to light.”

Job 12:16, 22

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

Hebrews 4:12-16

Lord, use Your Word to point out the darkness in me, to reach in and grab it and pull it out like the weed it is. Let it wither in the light of Your truth. I am so grateful that you see it all, understand it all, and still sympathize with me in my weakness. You are good to the squirrels in the woods, the birds in the trees, and You are good to me. Let me join the chatter of the squirrels, the birdsong, the cry of creation, in talking much and big about You.