Job 38:7 Stars Sing & Angels Shout

(Job 38:7 ESV) when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?

Throughout the book of Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite debate Job after Job questioned why he is suffering. In Chapter 33 through 37, Elihu son of Barachel the Buzite, speaks who has first allowed the older three friends to speak out of respect before he changes the conversation from a human debate to a divine whirlwind. Now in Chapter 38, God finally speaks.
God does not directly explain Job's suffering, but rather asks questions that make one have that ah-ha moment about His wisdom, power, and authority over creation.
In verse 4, God asks Job where he was when the earth was created.  This is the context for our JOY study in verse 7. Well right away I imagined Job answered this rhetorical question in his head, "I was not even born when the earth was created! I was not even in existence!"

I listened from my playlist recently to a wonderful song by Branden Duke with lyrics, "Lower still, lower still. Until there is nothing left of me, but all of you." This humility and strengthened faith must have been what Job felt. Job was quickly reminded that God's power is far beyond any human comprehension.

"Tell me if you have an understand," demands God of Job. No human can understand. Job is silent because he has no words to say.

On Day four of creation, God created the stars; Genesis 1:14-16 "And God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night. And let them be for signs and for seasons, and for days and years, and let them be lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. And God made the two great lights—the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night—and the stars."

Job 38:7, "when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

This was even before the first man and woman were created! The angels, the sons of God, were already created because they shouted for joy at the created morning stars that sang. The stars sang! I wonder what they sounded like. I wonder what those shouts of joy sounded like from the angels' mouths. Whatever it all sounded like, I am sure it was a delight to God's ears.

Creation was not met with silence, but rather singing and shouting for joy! Joy was the first response to creation. Joy was expressed together. Joy was shared. Joy was loud. Joy was spontaneous. Joy was uncontained. Joy exclaimed what God has done. Joy IS praise! I love that! We praise God when we tell Him about His attributes or tell Him what wonderous things He has done. That is praise and Joy IS praise! Joy is a response to what God has done!

What has God done that I can give a response of Joy? I ponder. Of course I love His creation, the great outdoors, the flowers, the trees. Everyone knows that about me. I find great joy in these things! I find joy in answered prayer. I find joy in healing. I find joy in music that lifts my spirits. I find joy in the little things.

I confess in the Apostle's Creed that God created and as part of that confession, I acknowledge responsibility and accountability for taking care of that creation. Most days that feels like an unsurmountable task.

Here is another thought. Joy existed before man was created and, therefore, Joy existed before suffering entered the world. God is reminding us of His original design for creation. Sin messed up creation. The world was not meant to be full of suffering. It was meant to be full of joy.

Then soak in this thought that came to my head: Joy is older than sorrow.

Job 38:6-7 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?"

Finally, I remember that God did not just create the world and throw it out there to figure it out and fend for itself. Nope. The very Creator who laid the foundations of the earth, who laid its cornerstone, is still at work. I am accountable for recognizing that work and responding with joy and praise.