Some people see the book of Job as an
enigma rather a book that communicates a message from
God. I think the message is crystal clear: God is
absolutely Sovereign over all! This message is seen in
our text as well as the entire book.
A prominent characteristic of the book of
Job is the presence of the title, "Almighty" which speaks
of God's authority and dominion over all and is used at
least thirty-one times to describe the LORD.
The first two chapters of the book of Job
provide a heavenly perspective of Job's suffering. God's
sovereignty is displayed in these chapters because Satan
must have permission to harm Job. And he must go to God
for that permission (1:10; 2:5) as well as the specific
damage he was seeking to cause (1:12; 2:6). And as our
text demonstrates, it is the LORD who finally releases Job
from the captivity which Satan had him bound.
Probably the greatest testimony to God's
Sovereignty is that of the characters themselves.
Incredibly, Job recognized that it was God who was in
charge of his trouble not Satan (Job 6:4). When Job's
first attack of trouble came, his own words and the
narrative attribute the Source of his pain as God
(1:21-22). There is equal confirmation of this by Job
upon his second attack (2:10). Finally, his wife (2:9),
"friends" (5:17; 8:3; 11:5-6; and 33:14-19), and
relatives, all see his affliction as coming from God
(42:11).
It is most comforting to know that God acts
for His own purpose as He chooses. And although He does
not always explain why, we know we can trust Him (Job
13:15).