Now it gets personal. At the beginning of His answer, God has set the stage with Job. He has shown that the entire universe and all its creation rest in the control of God alone. Now He comes to not only Job but to all mankind. Not only does God ask Job if he can answer His questions, He also wants to know if Job can do as was discussed and debated by Job and his friends throughout the book. Can they crush the wicked where they stand? Can they humble a proud man just by a look? The answer, of course, is “No.” God alone has the ability to judge man. God alone can look to EVERY man and know whether he is wicked or righteous, humble or proud. In our self-serving minds, we can barely tell about ourselves, much less anyone else. God’s response here is to Job and his friends (as well as to us). God wants Job to see that not only are the universe and all its complexities under His control, but so is each and every individual He has created. His wisdom and His justice and His timing will rule the decisions about each and every person, NOT those of Job or Job’s friends.The answer now gets even more personal. God essentially says to Job, “I alone have control of man, both the good and the evil, and I alone will make the decisions as to how they AND YOU are treated.” Verse 8 is a powerful and frightening verse. In it we hear the voice of God, and our answer to His question becomes our view of God. “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?” This leads us back to our understanding of God’s character and nature. When we only look at one aspect, it can be difficult to understand or believe. As we tie each of God’s many characteristics together we begin to see how it fits. As we see His hand holding together the universe, it makes it a little easier to be “patient” with His timing and control of our lives.