Who Gives Wisdom and Understanding?

Job 38:22-41

22 "Have you entered the treasury of snow,
Or have you seen the treasury of hail,
23 Which I have reserved for the time of trouble,
For the day of battle and war?

24 By what way is light diffused,
Or the east wind scattered over the earth?

25 "Who has divided a channel for the overflowing water,
Or a path for the thunderbolt,
26 To cause it to rain on a land where there is no one,
A wilderness in which there is no man;
27 To satisfy the desolate waste,
And cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass?

28 Has the rain a father?
Or who has begotten the drops of dew?

29 From whose womb comes the ice?
And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?
30 The waters harden like stone,
And the surface of the deep is frozen.

31 "Can you bind the cluster of the Pleiades,
Or loose the belt of Orion?
32 Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season?
Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?
33 Do you know the ordinances of the heavens?
Can you set their dominion over the earth?

34 "Can you lift up your voice to the clouds,
That an abundance of water may cover you?
35 Can you send out lightnings, that they may go,
And say to you, 'Here we are!'?

36 Who has put wisdom in the mind?
Or who has given understanding to the heart?

37 Who can number the clouds by wisdom?
Or who can pour out the bottles of heaven,
38 When the dust hardens in clumps,
And the clods cling together?

39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lion,
Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions,
40 When they crouch in their dens,
Or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait?

41 Who provides food for the raven,
When its young ones cry to God,
And wander about for lack of food?

The LORD continued to question Job and his prideful words.  Who put wisdom in his mind or given understanding to his heart?  These answers come from God alone, as He spelled out His work in creation.  God asked if Job knew where snow and hail originate, and how He uses them for sovereign purposes of providence in His workings.  He asked if Job grasped how light is divided and diffused or how wind is likewise scattered as it blows from the East.  He used examples of lightning taking its course (which we even now understand partially with scientific observation), and rain falling on uninhabited land to water the plants for growth while unseen by man but known to God.  He was letting Job know that God knows everything because He is in absolute control, and He is directing everything in the world we see.  God further asked if Job knew where ice and frost originate and how the stars form constellations as they run their courses in the heavens above according to His design and outworking by His hand.  He asked if His servant could speak to the clouds and bring rain as the LORD does, and send lightning.  The key is in verse 36 where God questions who gives wisdom and understanding to man.  Of course, the answer is the LORD Himself; that is God’s point to Job here.  It is not man’s wisdom or work to understand, but God’s gift to man because it all originates in and with Him alone.  We cannot count the ever changing clouds or bring rain at will, nor can we hunt for the animals or provide food for the birds of the air as they need it, yet He provides for us more than the birds (Matthew 6:26).  They cry for food and He brings it; why do we not rely on Him in trusting faith to provide our needs (Matthew 6:31-33)?  Job should have not given up in waiting on the LORD for deliverance from His suffering.  Neither should we as we look in His word by His Spirit to understand and gain wisdom in all circumstances, no matter how painful.