Thus, easily and quickly, the illusion so characteristic of fallen man, a kind of distorted anthropocentrism, is destroyed. We have all, of course, read in the Bible that...
Thus, easily and quickly, the illusion so characteristic of fallen man, a kind of distorted anthropocentrism, is destroyed. We have all, of course, read in the Bible that God gave the world into the hands of the man He created. But fallen man understood his power over the world in a very peculiar way. He decided that the world exists not so much around him, as around its spiritual center, as for him in the most utilitarian sense of the word. After the fall, man really did cease to be the spiritual axis of the universe that he was meant to be from the beginning. For one can be a spiritual axis only as long as one remains the image of God.
And when one largely ceases to be that image, one begins to perceive the world exactly as we most often perceive it today: purely utilitarianly. Even when we simply "love nature," we usually do this utilitarianly too, meaning that, among other things, nature can also become a source of aesthetic pleasure for us, and for that we "love" it. Deep down we usually deny nature the right simply to be, to be not for us but in itself. The assumption is that if something in nature exists in that way, then this is our unfinished business: we simply have not yet gotten around to such "useless" nature.
By its nature the world does not depend on man at all. It exists quite well in itself, for the most part. In essence, only a tiny part of the universe has been given into man's power. But what then are we to do with the fact that God gives the world into man's administration? The answer is simple enough: the world exists according to God's plan and intention for it, and it is given to man precisely for administration. For administration in accordance with that same plan and within the context of that same intention. Man's power over the world is, in essence, a divine-human reality.
Refusing to acknowledge God's sovereignty over his own life, man loses power over the world as well. And this concerns not only nature, but man himself. In particular, it concerns his relation to other people. Judgment over man does not belong to man. Just as judgment over nature and the disposal of the forces hidden in it do not belong to man.
39 The more fully to convince Job of his ignorance, God here discourses, Of the wild goats and hinds, Job 39:1-4.
Of the wild ass, Job 39:5-8.
Of the unicorn, Job 39:9-12.
Of the peacock and ostrich, Job 39:13-18.
Of the horse, Job 39:19-25.
Of the hawk and eagle, Job 39:26-30.
39:4 Young ones - Notwithstanding their great weakness caused by their hard entrance into the world. Grow up - As with corn, that is, as if they were fed with corn. Go forth - Finding sufficient provisions abroad by the care of God's providence.
39:5 Sent - Who hath given him this disposition that he loves freedom, and hates that subjection which other creatures quietly endure?Loosed - Who keeps him from receiving the bands, and submitting to the service of man.
39:7 Scorneth - He feareth them not when they pursue him, because he is swift, and can easily escape them. Driver - He will not be brought to receive his yoke, nor to do his drudgery.
39:8 Mountains - He prefers that mean provision with his freedom, before the fattest pastures with servitude.
39:9 Unicorn - It is disputed whether this be the Rhinoceros; or a kind of wild bull.
39:16 Her labour - In laying her eggs is in vain, because she hath not the fear and tender concern for them, which she should have.
39:17 Deprived - Because God hath not implanted in her that instinct, and affection, which he hath put into other birds and beasts toward their young.
39:18 Lifteth - To flee from her pursuer: to which end she lifts up her head and body, and spreads her wings. Scorneth - She despises them thro' her swiftness; for though she cannot fly, yet by the aid of her wings she runs so fast, that horse - men cannot reach her.