Dominion

When I think of this word, I think of dominion – I think of control, ruling power, and domination. I’m thankful that we don’t live under a government of dominion. I have to confess that it feels a bit like that sometimes, but our government is “we the people”. We have lots of choices and freedoms that we wouldn’t have if were under the dominion of a dictator.

Job’s buddy Bildad the Shuhite (the short guy) weighs in with a short dialogue. He jumps straight to the point challenging Job’s assertion that he has done nothing wrong. Check this out…

2 ‘Dominion and awe belong to God;

    he establishes order in the heights of heaven.

3 Can his forces be numbered?

    On whom does his light not rise?

4 How then can a mortal be righteous before God?

    How can one born of woman be pure? (Job 25:24 NIV)

I can’t argue with Bildad’s assertion about the Power, Presence and work of God. He makes a strong statement. He then follows up with some questions that carry with them some inferences about the answers to his questions. It is clever rhetoric to push back on Job a bit.

God is the One who determines whether someone is good before Him.

I look at the behavior of someone to determine if they are good person or not. If they lie or deceive, I’m not going to put a lot of trust in them. The Lord sees the heart of the person that I saw lie or deceive. If I could see inside the person’s heart, it would be very revealing. I think that there are people who look good on the outside, but their heart if full of deceit. My behavior on the outside doesn’t determine the condition of my heart. I believe that behavior reveals the heart.

To answer Bildad’s questions:

God’s forces can only be numbered by Him.

No one is beyond the light of God or His reach.

God can make anyone righteous before Him.

God is the Creator – He doesn’t create junk.

I feel confident that Job will remind Bildad that the Lord is large and in charge of his life. Job has had a close personal relationship with the Lord until this test. I believe that Job is suffering so profoundly that he is wondering how he can survive this. He’s holding on to the Lord as tight as he can. The Lord has dominion over everything and everyone. The more I know about the Lord, the more in awe of Him I become.

Pressing On!

Dwayne