Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job 41 is a powerful continuation of God's address to Job, initiated in Job 38:1, from the whirlwind. After Job's friends had their say, and after Job himself had repeatedly questioned God's justice, the Lord intervened directly. This chapter focuses on the Leviathan, a formidable creature symbolizing God's untamable power and highlighting the vast difference between divine might and human limitations. This section, along with the preceding description of Behemoth (Job 40:15), serves as a profound lesson in humility and a revelation of God's awesome sovereignty.
Be Careful What You Wish For
The Lord's appearance to Job is a stark reminder to be careful what we wish for. Job had demanded a hearing with God, a chance to argue his case. God granted that request, but not in the way Job expected. Instead of offering explanations for Job's suffering, God confronted him with a series of questions designed to expose the limits of Job's understanding. As book_name 38:2-3 says, "Who is this that obscures my counsel with ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."
The lesson here is profound: approaching God with demands and accusations without acknowledging His supreme wisdom and power is a dangerous path.
The Divine Confrontation: A Matter of Perspective
Imagine a cockroach in your kitchen, refusing to budge, acting as if it owns the place. The sheer absurdity of such a scenario underscores the imbalance of power. This illustrates the folly of autonomous humans who act as if they are on equal footing with God. It’s "suicide" to stand against God because only He possesses ultimate power.
God's questioning of Job wasn't about seeking information. It was about revealing Job's ignorance of the vastness of creation and the intricacies of God's design. As book_name 38:4 asks, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?" God then proceeds to ask Job about the origins of the world, the rising of the sun, the source of the wind, and the mysteries of the stars (book_name 38:4–39:30). These questions were rhetorical, designed to humble Job and expose the limitations of his perspective.
The Oral Exam of a Lifetime
Job wanted his day in court, and he got it. However, it turned out to be an intense cross-examination. God's questions weren't merely academic; they were a direct response to Job's accusations. Job felt unjustly attacked, believing God was punishing him without reason. God's questions served to humble Job, demonstrating how little he truly understood of God's sovereign wisdom. Job's suffering was just "the tip of the iceberg" in terms of the mysteries beyond his comprehension.
Leviathan: Symbol of Untamable Power
The description of Leviathan in Job 41 is a vivid portrayal of a creature beyond human control. God asks, "Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?" (book_name 41:1). The answer is a resounding "no." Leviathan's scales are impenetrable, its teeth are terrifying, and its very breath sets coals ablaze (book_name 41:14-21). No one dares to provoke it, for who then could stand against God Himself (book_name 41:10)?
Leviathan represents the forces of chaos and the limits of human dominion. It highlights the futility of trying to control or comprehend everything in the world. Just as Leviathan is beyond human mastery, so too are God's ways often beyond human understanding.
Humility Before the Creator
The encounter with Leviathan, and indeed the entire divine interrogation, leads Job to a place of profound humility. He recognizes his insignificance and acknowledges God's unparalleled power and wisdom. In book_name 40:4-5, Job responds, "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more."
This confrontation offers a glimpse into the future, when we all will stand before God. Will we shake our fist at God? Or, bow our head in humility? Like Job, we must approach God with reverence and acknowledge His sovereignty over all creation.
The Mystery of God's Providence
The Lord also directed Job’s attention to Behemoth and Leviathan (book_name 40:15–41:34). These beasts were the epitome of strength, ferocity, and terror. Yet, they were also objects of God’s creative power and wisdom. We cannot comprehend all the intricacies of such creatures. How much less, then, can we comprehend the mysteries of God’s providential dealings?
God's focus on Behemoth and Leviathan underscores the vastness of creation and the limitations of human understanding. If we cannot fully comprehend these creatures, how can we expect to grasp the entirety of God's plan? The book of Job ultimately calls us to trust in God's wisdom, even when we cannot understand His ways. It is a call to humility, faith, and a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty.
Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down?
Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?
Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?
Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part him among the merchants?
Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?
Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?
None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
Who hath prevented me, that I should repay him? whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine.
I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.
Who can discover the face of his garment? or who can come to him with his double bridle?
Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about.
His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.
One is so near to another, that no air can come between them.
They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they cannot be sundered.
By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out.
Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron.
His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.
In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.
The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in themselves; they cannot be moved.
His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone.
When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.
The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.
He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.
The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble.
Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.
Sharp stones are under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed things upon the mire.
He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.
He maketh a path to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.
Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
He beholdeth all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride.
Job 41 is a powerful continuation of God's address to Job, initiated in Job 38:1, from the whirlwind. After Job's friends had their say, and after Job himself had repeatedly questioned God's justice, the Lord intervened directly. This chapter focuses on the Leviathan, a formidable creature symbolizing God's untamable power and highlighting the vast difference between divine might and human limitations. This section, along with the preceding description of Behemoth (Job 40:15), serves as a profound lesson in humility and a revelation of God's awesome sovereignty.
Be Careful What You Wish For
The Lord's appearance to Job is a stark reminder to be careful what we wish for. Job had demanded a hearing with God, a chance to argue his case. God granted that request, but not in the way Job expected. Instead of offering explanations for Job's suffering, God confronted him with a series of questions designed to expose the limits of Job's understanding. As book_name 38:2-3 says, "Who is this that obscures my counsel with ignorant words? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me."
The lesson here is profound: approaching God with demands and accusations without acknowledging His supreme wisdom and power is a dangerous path.
The Divine Confrontation: A Matter of Perspective
Imagine a cockroach in your kitchen, refusing to budge, acting as if it owns the place. The sheer absurdity of such a scenario underscores the imbalance of power. This illustrates the folly of autonomous humans who act as if they are on equal footing with God. It’s "suicide" to stand against God because only He possesses ultimate power.
God's questioning of Job wasn't about seeking information. It was about revealing Job's ignorance of the vastness of creation and the intricacies of God's design. As book_name 38:4 asks, "Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?" God then proceeds to ask Job about the origins of the world, the rising of the sun, the source of the wind, and the mysteries of the stars (book_name 38:4–39:30). These questions were rhetorical, designed to humble Job and expose the limitations of his perspective.
The Oral Exam of a Lifetime
Job wanted his day in court, and he got it. However, it turned out to be an intense cross-examination. God's questions weren't merely academic; they were a direct response to Job's accusations. Job felt unjustly attacked, believing God was punishing him without reason. God's questions served to humble Job, demonstrating how little he truly understood of God's sovereign wisdom. Job's suffering was just "the tip of the iceberg" in terms of the mysteries beyond his comprehension.
Leviathan: Symbol of Untamable Power
The description of Leviathan in Job 41 is a vivid portrayal of a creature beyond human control. God asks, "Can you pull in Leviathan with a fishhook or tie down its tongue with a rope?" (book_name 41:1). The answer is a resounding "no." Leviathan's scales are impenetrable, its teeth are terrifying, and its very breath sets coals ablaze (book_name 41:14-21). No one dares to provoke it, for who then could stand against God Himself (book_name 41:10)?
Leviathan represents the forces of chaos and the limits of human dominion. It highlights the futility of trying to control or comprehend everything in the world. Just as Leviathan is beyond human mastery, so too are God's ways often beyond human understanding.
Humility Before the Creator
The encounter with Leviathan, and indeed the entire divine interrogation, leads Job to a place of profound humility. He recognizes his insignificance and acknowledges God's unparalleled power and wisdom. In book_name 40:4-5, Job responds, "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer—twice, but I will say no more."
This confrontation offers a glimpse into the future, when we all will stand before God. Will we shake our fist at God? Or, bow our head in humility? Like Job, we must approach God with reverence and acknowledge His sovereignty over all creation.
The Mystery of God's Providence
The Lord also directed Job’s attention to Behemoth and Leviathan (book_name 40:15–41:34). These beasts were the epitome of strength, ferocity, and terror. Yet, they were also objects of God’s creative power and wisdom. We cannot comprehend all the intricacies of such creatures. How much less, then, can we comprehend the mysteries of God’s providential dealings?
God's focus on Behemoth and Leviathan underscores the vastness of creation and the limitations of human understanding. If we cannot fully comprehend these creatures, how can we expect to grasp the entirety of God's plan? The book of Job ultimately calls us to trust in God's wisdom, even when we cannot understand His ways. It is a call to humility, faith, and a recognition of God's ultimate sovereignty.