Job 12:14

No one, however high their position, can escape Him. He breaks down, and ruin is the result. He shuts, and none can open; He withholds water and a drought follows, or He releases it only to overwhelm in a flood. This Almighty One holds them all up to contempt — judges, kings, princes and priests. Truly this is right, if they deserve it, but Job omits that side (verses 14-21).

Speaking of wisdom brings Job face to face with God, who is infinite in wisdom and strength. He has counsel and understanding beyond all that is human. "If He tears down, none can rebuild" (v.14). In fact Job had been broken down, but he did not realise that the One who broke him down could also rebuild him, though Job could not do it. If God imprisons someone, man cannot release him, though God can do so.

If Job had taken time to consider the significance of these things, he might not have sunk so low in his miserable state. He sees the facts, but fails to apply their lessons in his own case. He says of God, "He uncovers deep things out of darkness, and brings the shadow of death to light" (v.22). Job was living through that pain of darkness. He himself could not uncover deep things from the darkness, or bring light out of the shadow of death. But he realised God can do this. Could He not do it in Job's case? Yes indeed, and He did so before long.

If he simply means that God is all-powerful, everyone would agree at once, but the words that follow show that his gloomy mind and distorted vision are dwelling on the dark side of nature. It is in this that his danger lies (verses 7-13).

In the same way, the nations rise and fall at His word. It is indeed a great but very sombre picture of omnipotence. We can only shudder at the awful sight. Job's misery has cast a gloomy light over all God's greatness. How different is the language of faith: "God is our refuge and strength… therefore we will not fear… Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46).

It was now for God to carry out His word of judgment: whether or not He caused His wind to blow, the waters flowed. It was not a question of His ordinary regulation according to the laws He impressed on creation. His word is final. Man must learn that He is, and that He punishes, even in this world where He sees fit, the wickedness that goes too far. He is long-suffering, but He gave a lesson this early to the ungodly which they can only forget or deny at their peril. "If he tears down, none can rebuild; if he shuts a man in, none can open. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land."

In Job we have an example of a strong and upright soul that does not understand grace, with a great deal of self-will. He knew he was not a hypocrite but was upright: God said so of him, and Job knew it. But there was a great deal of self-righteousness, self-satisfaction, and self-will. His piety made him attribute what came on him to God, and his pride made him rebel against it. It is very interesting to see the exercises of a soul in this state. Job said many right things about God, and he knew God would not treat him as his friends did.