Human Silence: Job and the Silence of Humility

When Isaiah received the call to be a prophet, He saw a vision of the Lord and responded, “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty.” God graciously sent an angel with a cleansing coal to touch Isaiah’s lips and consecrate them to ministry. Then and only then was he ready and able to respond, “Here am I. Send me!” (Isa. 6:1–8).

Job had a similar response to his vision of God. Prior to that experience, he had been vociferous in complaining, lamenting, arguing with his so-called friends, and calling for justice from the Lord. While he acknowledged God as sovereign, he had been demanding that God hear his case and explain the unjust suffering he had been enduring (Job 31:35–37). When God appeared in chapter 38, it was not to answer Job’s “summons” but to forcefully remind Job, through a series of rhetorical questions, that His ways are higher.

Job made the only appropriate response—silence: “I put my hand over my mouth” (vv. 3–5). As with Isaiah, Job’s vision of God also led to a more accurate perception of himself in relation to God. Whereas before Job had known in his head that no one could win a debate with God (Job 9:2–3), now he finally understood in his heart his utter unworthiness to argue with God or call Him to account. The entire idea was presumptuous and ridiculous! God’s governance of the universe is perfect. Whereas before he had been eager to press his case, now Job declared, “I will say no more” (v. 5).

Choosing silence was for Job an act of humility and wisdom. When he finally did speak again, they were words of repentance (Job 42:1–6).

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BY Brad Baurain

Dr. Bradley Baurain is Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He is the author of On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.