The Breadth of the Earth

After Job’s four friends spoke to him and chastised him, the Lord finally addressed Job. These were His first words: “Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” (Job 38:2-7) That final question is one that we quote often when speaking of the plan of salvation. The BYU scripture citation index has at least 100 references from Church leaders that include that verse. Here is one example from President Monson: “In our premortal state, we were doubtless among the sons and daughters of God who shouted for joy because of the opportunity to come to this challenging yet necessary mortal existence. We knew that our purpose was to gain a physical body, to overcome trials, and to prove that we would keep the commandments of God.” In the most recent general conference, Elder Chi Hong Wong said, “We need to return to our Heavenly Father through coming unto Jesus Christ. That was the plan that we agreed to and caused us to ‘[shout] for joy.’ In another recent general conference message, Elder Kevin R. Duncan similarly said this: “We all shouted for joy in our premortal life when we heard God’s plan of happiness, and we continue to shout for joy here as we live according to His plan.” These and many other teachings that use this verse highlight the importance of understanding that we were filled with joy to come to the earth in mortality.

            I don’t know that I have ever really considered the context of this verse before now. But I think it is important to realize that the Lord was responding to Job who was living in intense suffering. Job had said in his agony to God, “Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me! I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave” (Job 10:18-19). In that moment he wished he had never been born, that he had never come to earth, and perhaps this was part of the Lord’s response: “Job, actually you shouted for joy to be able to come to earth.” The Lord was trying to help Job see the bigger picture, beyond his temporary suffering, to understand the greater plan of God that Job had already accepted and shouted for joy to be a part of. So, when we struggle because of the challenges of mortality, perhaps these words of the Lord can help us enlarge our perspective and remember that it was with joy that we anticipated the blessings, and challenges, of mortality. If He spoke these words to Job who had experienced such terrible suffering and loss, perhaps He would say them to us as well in our extremity: remember that it was with joy that you anticipated this mortal existence.

            The Lord’s answer to Job also suggests that considering the great creations of God is another important perspective that can help us in times of trial. He invited Job to ponder the majesty of the earth, the stars, and the sea. He spoke of the snow, the hail, ice, frost, rain, and lightning. The Lord also referenced animals such as the lion, ravens, goats, donkeys, oxen, peacocks, ostriches, and eagles. As the chapter heading for Job 41 summarizes these statements from the Lord, “All things under the whole heaven are the Lord’s.” I think that the Lord wanted Job to see beyond himself and consider the power and majesty of God’s creations to put in perspective both God’s power and perhaps the short duration of his trials. Surely we would do well to consider the beauties and splendor of the world around us when the challenges of life get us down. This question from God to Job can invite us to look more deeply at the glory of His creations: “Hast thou perceived the breadth of the earth?” (Job 38:18)