“Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?” (Job 11:7)
The questions posed by Zophar in Job 11:7 are rhetorical in nature, but they serve to remind us that God is boundless in all His attributes. And indeed, any god who can be fully measured, examined, or understood by human reason is no god at all. So the correct response to such probing questions is one akin to the confession of David in Psalm 145:3: “Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable.”
Zophar continues, describing the measure of God’s greatness as far above even the created order: “It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea” (Job 11:8-9). This language does not intend to quantify God, but rather to impress in us the impossibility of limiting the Infinite. The four-dimensional imagery—height, depth, length, and breadth—shows us that the essence of God extends beyond the framework of created space, and indeed, beyond our comprehension.
Consider, then, the following perfections that belong to our God:
- Omnipotent Sovereignty – “Great is our Lord, and of great power: his understanding is infinite” (Ps. 147:5). God rules all things with total authority and unbounded might. No creature, kingdom, or event unfolds outside His dominion.
- Omniscient Understanding – “God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things” (1 John 3:20). There is no shadow in His knowledge, no uncertainty, and no searching out His wisdom. All things—past, present, and future—lie open before Him.
- Everlasting Duration – “Behold, God is great, and we know him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out” (Job 36:26). God is eternal, unbegun and unending, existing outside of time and upholding it moment by moment.
- Omnipresent Immensity – “The heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee” (2 Chron. 2:6). His being is not confined to place or bound by matter. He fills all things and is present everywhere without division or dilution.
These dimensions of the Divine are echoed throughout Scripture. Height represents His unrivaled exaltation: “He that is higher than the highest regardeth” (Eccl. 5:8). Depth points to His incomprehensible wisdom: “O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!” (Rom. 11:33). Length indicates His eternal life: “He asked life of thee, and thou gavest it him, even length of days for ever and ever” (Ps. 21:4). And breadth testifies to His boundless presence: “The glorious LORD will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams” (Isa. 33:21).
Calvin rightly observed that these divine perfections apply to the Son of God as well, whose kingdom has no end.[1] He is the brightness of the Father’s glory, the express image of His person, and upholds all things by the word of His power. The eternal Christ is full of the same measureless attributes as the Father—infinite in sovereignty, wisdom, duration, and presence.
It is no wonder, then, that Paul would describe the Lord as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords” (1 Tim. 6:15). And likewise, it is not surprising that Moses, Melchizedek, and Abraham repeatedly refer to Him as “the most high God” (Gen. 14:18-22).
Job would later confess: “I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (Job 42:2). This is the God we adore. His nature exceeds all description and His glory transcends all conception.
And yet, this boundless, measureless, infinite Lord has made Himself known to us through Christ. The Almighty stooped to dwell among men. This reality demands our deepest adoration.
Contemplations:
- A God Beyond Measure. Though God is infinitely beyond my comprehension, how often do I live as if I can understand His ways, predict His actions, or manage His will? You, Lord, are far above all I could think or imagine. Your greatness is unsearchable. Help me remember that adoration begins with recognizing how far You are beyond me.
- The Glory of Sovereignty. You are sovereign over every event, Lord; nothing is outside of Your control. When I fear the future or grieve the past, I must remember Your throne has never moved. The height of Your sovereignty should calm my anxious heart, knowing You reign over nations, over devils, over death, and over me. I adore You, my King, for no one can stay Your hand.
- Eternity Humbles Me. You are from everlasting to everlasting, Lord, the Ancient of Days. My life is but a breath, a vapor that appears and vanishes, but You never fade. The thought of Your everlasting duration makes me feel small, but it also comforts me. I worship You, the God who remains forever the same.
- Christ, The Infinite Revealed. You, O Lord, have revealed Your immeasurable glory in Jesus Christ. The fullness of the Godhead dwells in Him bodily. He is the visible image of the invisible God. I cannot ascend to Your height, but You have descended in mercy. My Savior shows me the glory of God with grace and truth. In Him I see all the dimensions of Your majesty, and I love You for it.
Prayer (Adoration):
Most high and infinite God, You are above all measure and beyond all thought. Your greatness is unsearchable. You dwell in unapproachable light. You are exalted above the heavens and yet present in every place. From eternity to eternity, You are God. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever You had formed the earth, You were. You reign, O Lord, in majesty, clothed in glory and girded with power. There is none like You.
I bow before You in holy fear. I adore You not only because You are powerful, but because You are perfectly holy, infinitely wise, and forever good. You are the Almighty whose sovereignty extends over all creation. Not a sparrow falls apart from Your will, not a star shines unless You command it, and not a moment passes unless You ordain it. I praise You, Lord, for You are not like the gods of men—weak, distant, or corrupt—but altogether glorious in perfection.
You know all things. There is no secret hidden from You, no motive unclear, no future uncertain in Your eyes. You search the hearts and reign over the soul. Nothing escapes You. Your knowledge is too wonderful for me. I adore You, for You see all and judge righteously. Your wisdom orders the world. Your providence sustains it. Your counsel stands forever.
Though You are without limits, You are near to those who fear You. You draw close to the lowly and dwell with the contrite. You have not hidden Yourself from Your people. In Christ Jesus, You have shown the riches of Your grace and the depths of Your love. He is the radiance of Your glory, the image of Your being. I adore You, O Lord, that the Infinite became intimate, and the Eternal drew near.
Let my worship reflect Your greatness. Let my songs echo with reverence, my prayers rise with awe, and my heart bow with joy. May every truth of Scripture lead me to marvel and every glimpse of Your glory leave me trembling in love.
I praise You, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—the one true and living God. High and lifted up, and yet dwelling with Your people. Infinite in being, yet intimately known in Christ. To You alone be all glory, honor, and worship forever.
In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
Further Scripture References for Job 11:7:
Eccl. 3:11; Rom. 11:33; Job 5:9, 37:23; Ps. 145:3; Isa. 40:28.
[1] John Calvin, Commentary on the Book of Psalms, vol. 2 (Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software, 2010), 181.
