Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Then Job answered the Lord, and said,
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 40 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Job, a turning point in Job's understanding of God and his own place in the universe. After enduring immense suffering and engaging in intense debates with his friends, Job finally receives an answer – not from his companions, but directly from the LORD himself (Job 38:1). This chapter highlights the vast chasm between human understanding and divine wisdom, ultimately leading Job to a place of humility and repentance. The central theme revolves around God's awesome sovereignty and power, which He reveals to Job through a series of profound questions and the introduction of two awe-inspiring creatures: Behemoth and Leviathan.
The Lord's Challenge and Job's Initial Response (Job 40:1-5)
Following the extensive divine interrogation that began in Job 38, the LORD pauses and presents Job with a direct challenge: "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer" (Job 40:2). This isn't merely a question; it's an invitation for Job to reflect on the audacity of questioning God's justice and wisdom. Previously, Job had longed for a hearing with God, a chance to present his case. The lesson here is a profound one: be careful what you wish for, because encountering the living God is an experience that will fundamentally change you.
Imagine standing before the Creator of the universe, the One who established the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4). The sheer magnitude of God's presence is overwhelming. Job, confronted with the reality of God's power and wisdom, is rendered speechless. He acknowledges his insignificance: "I am so insignificant. How can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing" (Job 40:4-5). Job's initial response is one of stunned silence, a recognition of his limitations in the face of divine majesty.
God's Continued Inquiry and the Question of Justice (Job 40:6-14)
Despite Job's initial humility, the LORD isn't finished. God continues to press Job, delving deeper into the question of justice and challenging Job's perspective: "Would you really challenge my justice? Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself?" (Job 40:8). God isn’t necessarily rebuking Job for specific sins, but rather addressing the underlying attitude that led Job to see his suffering as an unfair attack.
God's questions aren't meant to humiliate Job, but to help him see the limitations of his own understanding. It’s as if God is saying, "You don't understand the full picture. There's a vastness to my creation and my plans that you simply cannot grasp." This is a crucial reminder for us as well. When we face trials and tribulations, it's easy to question God's goodness and fairness. However, like Job, we often lack the perspective to see the bigger picture.
The Lord challenges Job's ability to govern the world with justice and power, asking if he can adorn himself with majesty and splendor, scatter the wicked, and tread down the ungodly (Job 40:10-14). These rhetorical questions highlight the impossibility of Job, or any human, assuming God's role as the ultimate judge and ruler. They underscore the fact that true justice and power belong solely to God.
Behemoth: A Display of God's Creative Power (Job 40:15-24)
To further illustrate His power and wisdom, the LORD directs Job's attention to Behemoth (Job 40:15-24). While the exact identity of Behemoth is debated (some suggest a hippopotamus or elephant, while others see a mythical creature), the key point is its immense strength and size. God created this mighty beast, and yet it is still subject to His control.
Behemoth represents the untamed power of creation. It eats grass like an ox, possesses immense strength in its loins, and has bones like tubes of bronze (Job 40:15-18). The description emphasizes its raw power and resilience. Even this magnificent creature, however, is ultimately under God's dominion. "He is the chief of the ways of God" (Job 40:19), meaning it is a prime example of God's creative power on earth.
The passage concludes by highlighting the futility of trying to capture or control Behemoth (Job 40:24). This serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's limitations in the face of God's creation. If we cannot comprehend or control even the creatures of the earth, how much less can we comprehend the mysteries of God's providential dealings?
Job 40 serves as a profound lesson in humility and a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty. It invites us to examine our own attitudes toward God, especially when we face suffering and uncertainty. Are we willing to acknowledge our limitations and trust in God's wisdom, even when we don't understand His ways? Like Job, we are called to bow before the Almighty, recognizing His ultimate power and justice. The encounter is a glimpse of the future, where each of us will stand before Him. The question is, will we shake our fist at God, or bow our head in humility?
Moreover the Lord answered Job, and said,
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Then Job answered the Lord, and said,
Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Then answered the Lord unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
Job 40 marks a pivotal moment in the book of Job, a turning point in Job's understanding of God and his own place in the universe. After enduring immense suffering and engaging in intense debates with his friends, Job finally receives an answer – not from his companions, but directly from the LORD himself (Job 38:1). This chapter highlights the vast chasm between human understanding and divine wisdom, ultimately leading Job to a place of humility and repentance. The central theme revolves around God's awesome sovereignty and power, which He reveals to Job through a series of profound questions and the introduction of two awe-inspiring creatures: Behemoth and Leviathan.
The Lord's Challenge and Job's Initial Response (Job 40:1-5)
Following the extensive divine interrogation that began in Job 38, the LORD pauses and presents Job with a direct challenge: "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who argues with God give an answer" (Job 40:2). This isn't merely a question; it's an invitation for Job to reflect on the audacity of questioning God's justice and wisdom. Previously, Job had longed for a hearing with God, a chance to present his case. The lesson here is a profound one: be careful what you wish for, because encountering the living God is an experience that will fundamentally change you.
Imagine standing before the Creator of the universe, the One who established the foundations of the earth (Job 38:4). The sheer magnitude of God's presence is overwhelming. Job, confronted with the reality of God's power and wisdom, is rendered speechless. He acknowledges his insignificance: "I am so insignificant. How can I answer you? I put my hand over my mouth. I have spoken once, and I will not reply; twice, but now I can add nothing" (Job 40:4-5). Job's initial response is one of stunned silence, a recognition of his limitations in the face of divine majesty.
God's Continued Inquiry and the Question of Justice (Job 40:6-14)
Despite Job's initial humility, the LORD isn't finished. God continues to press Job, delving deeper into the question of justice and challenging Job's perspective: "Would you really challenge my justice? Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself?" (Job 40:8). God isn’t necessarily rebuking Job for specific sins, but rather addressing the underlying attitude that led Job to see his suffering as an unfair attack.
God's questions aren't meant to humiliate Job, but to help him see the limitations of his own understanding. It’s as if God is saying, "You don't understand the full picture. There's a vastness to my creation and my plans that you simply cannot grasp." This is a crucial reminder for us as well. When we face trials and tribulations, it's easy to question God's goodness and fairness. However, like Job, we often lack the perspective to see the bigger picture.
The Lord challenges Job's ability to govern the world with justice and power, asking if he can adorn himself with majesty and splendor, scatter the wicked, and tread down the ungodly (Job 40:10-14). These rhetorical questions highlight the impossibility of Job, or any human, assuming God's role as the ultimate judge and ruler. They underscore the fact that true justice and power belong solely to God.
Behemoth: A Display of God's Creative Power (Job 40:15-24)
To further illustrate His power and wisdom, the LORD directs Job's attention to Behemoth (Job 40:15-24). While the exact identity of Behemoth is debated (some suggest a hippopotamus or elephant, while others see a mythical creature), the key point is its immense strength and size. God created this mighty beast, and yet it is still subject to His control.
Behemoth represents the untamed power of creation. It eats grass like an ox, possesses immense strength in its loins, and has bones like tubes of bronze (Job 40:15-18). The description emphasizes its raw power and resilience. Even this magnificent creature, however, is ultimately under God's dominion. "He is the chief of the ways of God" (Job 40:19), meaning it is a prime example of God's creative power on earth.
The passage concludes by highlighting the futility of trying to capture or control Behemoth (Job 40:24). This serves as a powerful reminder of humanity's limitations in the face of God's creation. If we cannot comprehend or control even the creatures of the earth, how much less can we comprehend the mysteries of God's providential dealings?
Job 40 serves as a profound lesson in humility and a powerful affirmation of God's sovereignty. It invites us to examine our own attitudes toward God, especially when we face suffering and uncertainty. Are we willing to acknowledge our limitations and trust in God's wisdom, even when we don't understand His ways? Like Job, we are called to bow before the Almighty, recognizing His ultimate power and justice. The encounter is a glimpse of the future, where each of us will stand before Him. The question is, will we shake our fist at God, or bow our head in humility?