I remember seeing Jurassic Park when the magic of big dinosaurs hit the big screen for the first time. Sure, there had been other dino flicks prior to Spielberg’s masterpiece delivery, but they were basically the equivalent of Play-Doh claymation that carried a fear factor of a Barney episode.
Then came Jurassic Park…the movie that made you feel as though you were riding along with the annoying children in the ill fated Ford Explorer. Your heart beat faster as the rapidly pursuing T-Rex in the rear view mirror was closer than it appeared.
And I for one most certainly checked for Velociraptors around the corner or under the bed when I got home – wouldn’t you??? I can hardly image the intensity the new 3D release of the movie will generate.
But besides the entertaining clash between man and beast in Jurassic Park, there is a major conflict of ideas in the film as well. The general battle is between nature and science (to clone or not to clone: that is the question) – but in case you missed it, here is the line from the movie that highlights a fascinating issue: “God creates dinosaurs. God destroys dinosaurs. God creates man. Man destroys God. Man creates dinosaurs.” (Ian Malcolm)
While I can certainly agree that God created dinosaurs and man, most scientists doubt that we will ever be able to “create” dinosaurs.
But can “man destroy God”?
Many men have tried, or at least numerous people still have allowed their faith to be destroyed because of difficult times in their lives.
One of those people lived long ago and far away in what I would consider the first Jurassic Park (I’ll tell you why in a moment). His name was Job, and he lost everything he owned and loved in the blink of an eye. He questioned God’s sense of justice, and when he asked the Lord for a face-to-face meeting for answers, Job got more than he bargained for:
Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
“Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them (Job 40:6-7, NLT).
Yikes…I would not want the Maker of Heaven and Earth to tell me that I need to “brace myself like a man”…would you? And perhaps even scarier would be the questions that God wanted answered:
“Will you discredit my justice
and condemn me just to prove you are right?
Are you as strong as God?
Can you thunder with a voice like his?” (Job 40:8-9, NLT).
But interestingly – the focus of God’s questions for Job in this passage are what make his surroundings the first “Jurassic Park”:
But before you undertake My challenge,
turn your attention to Behemoth,
The beast which I fashioned along with you. It eats grass like an ox.
Look carefully: it has a sturdy, muscular base
and draws its power from its brawny core.
Its bends like a cedar,
the sinews of its powerful thighs are woven tightly.
Its bones, unbreakable, are like tubes of bronze;
its whole skeletal structure is like a framework of iron.
It is one of My most marvelous creations;
only I, its Maker, can threaten its existence (Job 40:15-19, The Voice).
If this doesn’t sound like a description of a dinosaur, I’m not sure what else would qualify as such, and many Biblical experts agree that God’s case against Job’s accusations is this: God created Job and dinosaurs. Job tries to destroy God’s justice. God answers Job with a dinosaur.
In other words, God is telling Job something like this, “Look, I not only created the universe with just a word, I also fashioned the mighty dinosaur, which no man on earth can contain (just like Jurassic Park – right?). So the next time you start thinking that you are wiser than me, go out and tame a dinosaur with all your “wisdom” – got it?
Obviously we don’t have dinosaurs around anymore, but when I see a film like Jurassic Park, I get a 3-D reminder that God is in absolute control of everything, and I don’t need to fear the T-Rex size problems and Velociraptor-like trials that come my way. His justice is perfection, and His love is never ending.
And when we commit ourselves to THE Cause of reaching people with the gospel of Jesus Christ, we unleash a power that is greater than all of science and nature combined!
Friends, I pray that your conclusion will be the same as Job’s:
Then Job replied to the Lord:
“I know that you can do anything,
and no one can stop you.
You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’
It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about,
things far too wonderful for me.
You said, ‘Listen and I will speak!
I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them.’
I had only heard about you before,
but now I have seen you with my own eyes (Job 42:1-5).
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
The Jurassic Park 3-D release is a reminder that the awesome power of dinosaurs is no comparison to God’s power. His reminder to Job that He controls everything is the same message He has for us, so let’s stop focusing on our problems and serve the God of the universe and His cause – THE Cause of making disciples.
Accelerant: Fuel for THE Cause
Pray: Father, thank you for creating such a fantastic world with amazing creatures! Help us remember that since you are in control of all, we need to tell all about your amazing love and mercy.
Read: Genesis 1:31. Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day.
Discussion Questions for Leaders:
Big Idea: God made everything and controls everything, so we have the freedom to trust in His justice and go forward in boldness for THE Cause
Key Scripture: Job 40
ALT-ernative Questions:
- Why did God use the example of a dinosaur for Job?
- How did this help Job realize his arrogance?
- What “dinosaurs” in your life need taming?
- What other ways could you apply this Soul Fuel to THE Cause?