Job and his three so-called friends “discuss” back and forth the reasons for his steep decline from wealthy benefactor to miserable scab-scratcher.  One thing they do agree on is their mighty God is able to destroy and to save.  Job’s monologue in chapter 12 describes these attributes of Yahweh:

• He knows and is able (verses 13, 16)
• He controls nature (verses 15, 22)
• He leads the mighty – counselors, judges, kings, priests, elders, princes (verses 17-21)
• He provides and takes away wisdom (verses 13, 16, 24-25)
• He makes and destroys even nations (verse23)

The long list is an echo of the Acts 4.25-26 quote of Psalm 2, “why do the Gentiles rage and the peoples plot in vain?” God’s perfect plan will prevail.