What does "God is greater than man" teach about human limitations? Opening Snapshot: Job 33:12 “Behold, in this you are not right— I will answer you— for God is greater than man.” What “Greater” Means Right Here • Elihu is correcting Job’s complaint that God seems silent or unfair. • “Greater” (Hebrew rav) points to superiority in every dimension—power, knowledge, authority, purity, and purpose. • The comparison is absolute, not incremental: God surpasses humanity at every point. Human Knowledge: Limited and Partial • We see only the surface; God sees the whole. (1 Samuel 16:7) • Our reasoning is clouded by sin and emotion; His wisdom is perfect. (Isaiah 55:8-9) • We need revelation—Scripture, conscience, Spirit—to know truth. (Psalm 119:105) Human Power: Finite and Fragile • We cannot add a single hour to our lives. (Matthew 6:27) • Nations rise and fall at His decree. (Daniel 2:21) • Even our next breath depends on Him. (Acts 17:25) Human Righteousness: Insufficient and Flawed • “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) • God alone is holy, “the Rock; His work is perfect.” (Deuteronomy 32:4) • Our best efforts cannot bridge the moral gulf—only the atoning work of Christ can. (2 Corinthians 5:21) Human Perspective: Time-Bound and Emotion-Driven • Life is “a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” (James 4:14) • Pain and prosperity both distort our conclusions; God’s view spans eternity. (Psalm 90:2) • We interpret events; He ordains purposes. (Romans 8:28) Where Our Limits Lead Us • Humility: A right view of God curbs pride. (1 Peter 5:6) • Dependence: Prayer and obedience acknowledge our need. (Philippians 4:6-7) • Worship: Awe flows naturally when we grasp His greatness. (Psalm 145:3) • Hope: His supremacy guarantees His promises. (Hebrews 10:23) God’s Greatness Meets Our Limits in Christ • Infinite becomes finite—“The Word became flesh.” (John 1:14) • Omnipotent bears our weakness. (Hebrews 4:15) • Righteous provides righteousness. (Romans 1:17) • Eternal secures eternal life for mortal people. (John 3:16) Takeaway “God is greater than man” shines a light on every human limitation—mind, strength, morality, perspective—yet simultaneously invites trust in the One whose greatness gladly works for our good. |
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