Is God Unknowable?

For sure - we cannot completely know God. But then again, God has made himself known in Christ.

You have to wonder if Job is even listening at this point. Elihu is talking right past him, telling him things about God that seem to fit into two different categories: 1. Job already knows it; or 2. It’s completely wrong.

There’s a lot of talk about God’s power in these chapters: storms, thunder, lightning, rain. It’s vivid and, in some ways, true. But it is so distant from Job’s lived experience as he sits in pain, grief, and confusion. Elihu is giving him a lecture on meteorology and divine sovereignty. I mean, maybe some of it’s true. But it has nothing to do with much of anything. And then what he says about justice taking care of wicked people…has Elihu ever even left his house to take a look?

When we turn to Luke, Jesus again moves toward people in very real, embodied situations of need. A woman who has been suffering for years reaches out in desperation. A father pleads for his daughter’s life. These are not abstract questions about God’s power. These are urgent, personal moments. And Jesus doesn’t respond with explanation. He responds with presence, attention, and restoration.

That’s the thing, right? …not just to have the right words about God in the face of suffering, but to be the kind of people who move toward it with care. Elihu is not entirely wrong about God’s greatness. But Jesus shows us that God’s greatness is not most clearly seen in thunder and storms, but in the intentional act of stopping for someone in need.

Elihu says that God is unknowable. I mean, okay. I get it. But Jesus shows us that the presence and healing of God is indeed not only knowable, but experience-able.

Luke 8:39-56

When Jesus returned, the crowd welcomed him, for they had been waiting for him. A man named Jairus, who was a synagogue leader, came and fell at Jesus’ feet. He pleaded with Jesus to come to his house because his only daughter, a twelve-year-old, was dying.

As Jesus moved forward, he faced smothering crowds. A woman was there who had been bleeding for twelve years. She had spent her entire livelihood on doctors, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the hem of his clothes, and at once her bleeding stopped.

“Who touched me?” Jesus asked.

When everyone denied it, Peter said, “Master, the crowds are surrounding you and pressing in on you!”

But Jesus said, “Someone touched me. I know that power has gone out from me.”

When the woman saw that she couldn’t escape notice, she came trembling and fell before Jesus. In front of everyone, she explained why she had touched him and how she had been immediately healed.

“Daughter, your faith has healed you,” Jesus said. “Go in peace.”

While Jesus was still speaking, someone came from the synagogue leader’s house, saying to Jairus, “Your daughter has died. Don’t bother the teacher any longer.”

When Jesus heard this, he responded, “Don’t be afraid; just keep trusting, and she will be healed.”

When he came to the house, he didn’t allow anyone to enter with him except Peter, John, and James, and the child’s father and mother. They were all crying and mourning for her, but Jesus said, “Don’t cry. She isn’t dead. She’s only sleeping.”

They laughed at him because they knew she was dead.

Taking her hand, Jesus called out, “Child, get up.” Her life returned and she got up at once. He directed them to give her something to eat. Her parents were beside themselves with joy, but he ordered them to tell no one what had happened.

Job 36-37

Continuing, Elihu said,

Wait a little while so I can demonstrate for you
that there is still something more to say about God.
I will draw from my broad knowledge,
attribute justice to my maker.
My words are certainly truthful;
one with total knowledge is present with you.

Look, God is mighty and doesn’t reject anyone;
he is mighty in strength and mind.
He doesn’t let the wicked live, but grants justice to the poor.
He doesn’t avert his eyes from the righteous;
he seats kings on thrones forever, and they are lifted up.
If they are tied with ropes, caught in cords of affliction,
he informs them about their offenses and their grave sins.
He opens their ears with discipline
and commands them to turn from wrong.
If they listen and serve, they spend their days in plenty,
their years contentedly.
But if they don’t listen, they perish by the sword,
breathe their last without understanding.
Those with impious hearts become furious;
they don’t cry out even though he binds them.
They die young; they are among the holy ones.
He saves the weak in their affliction,
opens their ears through oppression.
Surely he draws you up from the brink of trouble
to a wide place without distress;
your table is set with rich food.
You are overly concerned about the case of the wicked;
justice will be upheld in it.
Don’t let them lure you with wealth;
don’t let a huge bribe mislead you.
Will he arrange your rescue from distress
or from all your exertions of strength?
Don’t wish for the night
when people vanish from their place.
Take care; don’t turn to evil
because you’ve chosen it over affliction.
Look, God is inaccessible due to his power;
who is a teacher like him?
Who has repaid him for his action,
and who would ever say, “You’ve done wrong”?
Remember to praise his work that all of us have seen.
Every person has seen him; people can observe at great distance.

Look, God is exalted and unknowable;
the number of his years is beyond counting.
He draws up drops of water that distill rain from his flood;
the clouds pour moisture and drip continually on humans.
Even if one perceives a spreading cloud
and the thunder of his pavilion,
look how he spreads lightning across it and covers the seabed;
for by water he judges peoples and gives food in abundance.
He conceals lightning in his palms and orders it to its target.
His thunder announces it; even cattle proclaim its rising.

Oh, my mind is disturbed by this and is more troubled than usual.
Listen closely to the rumble of his voice, the roar issuing from his mouth.
He looses it under the whole sky, his lightning on earth’s edges.
After it, a voice roars; he thunders with a mighty voice,
and no one can stop it when his voice is heard.
God roars with his wondrous voice;
he does great things we can’t know.
He says to the snow, “Fall to earth,”
and to the downpour of rain, “Be a mighty shower.”
He stamps the hand of every person so all can know his work.
The wild beast enters its lair, lies down in its den.
The storm comes from its chamber, the cold from the north wind.
By God’s breath ice forms; water’s expanse becomes solid.
He also fills clouds with moisture; his lightning scatters clouds.
He overturns the circling clouds; by his guidance they do their work,
doing everything he commands over the entire earth.
Whether for punishment, for his world, or for kindness,
God makes it all happen.

Hear this, Job; stop and ponder God’s mighty deeds.
Do you realize that when God commands them,
his clouds produce lightning?
Do you understand the positioning of the clouds,
the amazing deeds of one with perfect knowledge,
you whose clothes are hot
when earth is calmed by the south wind?
Can you form the sky with him,
hard like a mirror made of metal?
Tell us what we should say to him;
we can’t present our case due to darkness.
Should someone inform him that I wish to speak,
or would anyone say he wants to be devoured?

For now, no one can look at the sun;
it is bright in the sky;
the wind has passed and cleared away the clouds.
From the north comes golden light,
the awesome splendor of God.
As for the Almighty, we can’t find him—
he is powerful and just, abundantly righteous—
he won’t respond.
Therefore, people fear him;
none of the wise can see him.

Prayer

God,

Thank you for a new day. Oxygen, rest, food, family, fellowship, purpose.

Help me to do well with these things today. And whatever else comes my way. Help me to do well with the not-so-fun things, too.

I pray for your protection over the people I know and love. And I acknowledge that you know better what protection even means for them. I trust you.

And I entrust myself to you.

By your Spirit & in Christ,
Amen.