In depth Study of Job, Part 3

Dear Readers,

This is the third installment of my in depth study. Today I will be covering Job 38:8-11. This is packed with symbolism, and it depends on figuring out when/what God is referring to. As a gentle reminder, part 2 talked about the pre-existence, Next step in the Plan of Salvation is the creation, but are we there yet?

 8 Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb?

If this is the creation, we know from Genesis verses 1 and 2 that "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth... The earth with without form, and void... And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters" So this might be reference to the creation of the waters upon the earth. The earth being covered with water, "broken forth" upon it. 

Or, what also comes to mind for me, is Noah, and when the waters flooded the earth. 

 9 When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddlingband for it,

When I read this, putting it with the idea of the initial creation, possibly before the 7 days. Gravity pulling the heavier elements inward. Solids closer to the center, then liquids, or the water upon the face, then gases. Basic organization caused by one act, introducing gravity. 

Then I also think about what it would look like from space. How beautiful the earth looks, like described in Rocket Man, "like a ripe, little, blueberry" Then wrapped with cloud, like a baby's blanket to cloth. In the Old Testament it talks about how God dwells in clouds and thick darkness, when the Children of Israel saw it while God stood upon mount Sinai and conversed with Moses, as well as when God's presence moved into Kind Solomon's temple. So this could also be God's presence and grace upon the newly formed earth. 

 10 And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors,

God mixed it all, brought some elements to the surface, liquefied or solidified others, and began creating the diversity. A door can hold back something, keep something out, or open and allow admittance through. Interesting comparison. 

 11 And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?

Then sums it up by saying what God said at that moment. "Hitherto shalt thou come, but not further" Is he talking to the sea, or to the earth?  A temporary ceasing of the changes. 

But what if all of this was still part of pre-mortality. What if the "sea" was a sea of spirit children ready to go and do. God robed them with His glory, gave them commandments, limitations, and punishments for disobedience, and then said, "Hitherto shalt thou come, but not further" in reference to, you can become this close to me, you can become this like me, but you cannot come further because you do not have a body. Your waves are stayed, you are stuck, unless the door is opened and you receive a body. 

For this would express the great purpose of life, to become like our Heavenly Father. To gain a body like Him and then to learn and grow. Think, Ponder, and Pray. 

Once again, the answer to God's question, "Who" could be Himself, or could be us, or even Jehovah. 

As we continue we shall see which interpretation God is currently referring to, but that does not mean that either interpretation is wrong. 

Love,

Elder Smithson