Job 40
Job 40 is a chapter in which God continues speaking to Job, helping him recognize his place between the created being and the Creator. In this chapter, God makes Job admit his ignorance and limitations, and then mentions a mighty animal, "Behemoth," to reveal the mystery of creation that cannot be controlled by human wisdom and power.
1verseMoreover the LORD answered Job,
2verse“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”
3verseThen Job answered the LORD,
4verse“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.
5verseI have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.”
6verseThen the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind:
7verse“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me.
8verseWill you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified?
9verseOr do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him?
10verse“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty.
11versePour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low.
12verseLook at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place.
13verseHide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place.
14verseThen I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
15verse“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox.
16verseLook now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly.
17verseHe moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together.
18verseHis bones are like tubes of bronze. His limbs are like bars of iron.
19verseHe is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword.
20verseSurely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play.
21verseHe lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh.
22verseThe lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him.
23verseBehold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth.
24verseShall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?
The Structure and Flow of the Main Text
- Verses 1–5: God asks Job more questions, and Job confesses that he has nothing to say.
- Verses 6–14: God tells Job to compare His power and justice with what Job can do. He asks whether Job can save himself.
- Verses 15–24: He mentions "Behemoth" (a huge land animal in Hebrew) and once again shows God’s greatness and depth in the face of a creation that humans have no way to deal with.
Explanation of the Key Content
As God speaks to Job, He reminds him that humans are far too limited to understand or judge God’s work and that, as creatures, they must live in humility. Behemoth is described as a gigantic living being that humans cannot own or control, emphasizing God’s power and greatness in creation. Through this, Job and the readers learn to acknowledge God’s sovereignty and purposes, and to place their trust even in situations of suffering.
Points for Reflection
- In situations that are hard for me to understand, do I still trust in God’s greatness?
- I reflect on where my place is in God’s created world and His wisdom.
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In the midst of life’s limits and hardships, confess my ignorance and weakness, and acknowledge God the Creator’s sovereignty.
- Instead of trying to control everything on my own, I pray that you will make this an opportunity to learn faith in entrusting your life to God’s hand.
