Job 41
LORD introduces the leviathan verse 1- 11
Can you draw out leviathan with an hook?
or his tongue with a cord which you let down?
Can you put a hook into his nose?
or bore his jaw through with a thorn?
Will he make may supplications unto you?
will he speak soft words unto you?
Will he make a covenant with you?
will you take him for a servant for ever?
Will you play with him as with a bird?
or will you bind him for your maidens?
Shall the companions make a banquet of him?
shall they part him among the merchants?
Can you fill his skin with barbed irons?
or his head with fish spears?
Lay your 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
Leviathan are hard to conquer verse 12- 17
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
LORD states that the breath of leviathan is fiery verse 18- 21
By his sneezings a light does shine – 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 go smoke – as out of a seething pot or caldron
his breath kindles coals
and a flame goes out of his mouth
Weapons are useless against leviathan verse 22- 30
In his neck remains 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 raises up himself – the mighty are afraid
by reason of breakings they purify themselves
The sword of him that lays at him cannot hold – the spear – the dart
nor the habergeon – he esteems iron as straw – and brass as rotten wood
The arrow cannot make him flee
sling stones are turned with him into stubble
darts are counted as stubble
he laughs at the shaking of a spear
Sharp stones are under him
he spreads sharp pointed things upon the mire
LORD says that the leviathan is without fear verse 31- 34
He makes the deep to boil like a pot – he makes the sea like a pot of ointment
he makes 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 beholds all high things – he is king over all the children of pride
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up, who then is able to stand before me? (393 “fierce” [‘akzar] means cruel, marked by extreme intensity of emotions or convictions, harsh, bold, brave, virulent, heartless, deadly, or ruthless.)
DEVOTION: God is talking with Job about an animal HE has created here on this earth. It is an animal that most people would not bother at all because of its size and deadly advantage over humans.
I am not a hunter but there are many hunters that would be afraid of this animal. Some thought it was describing an animal called a “Leviathan.” None are sure what type of animal this is but it is described as something that most would give a great distance between it and them.
There are not a lot of animals I would like to meet on a trail that I would be walking on. In Alaska there are parks but in the parks could be moose or bears or other animals. If you get between a bear and her cubs it could mean that you would be injured or killed. There are many animals that it is not good to get between the mother and her offspring. We watched a moose and her little ones once or twice when even a dog tried to get between them and the mother would attack the dog or anything that would try to separate her offspring and her.
Even human mothers would protect their children for anyone or anything. It is something that is in the minds of most humans and animals in our world.
God is trying to inform Job that he is walking in dangerous territory when he is not trying to tell God what HE can do and what HE can’t do. Job wasn’t happy with what God was doing to him during this time period in his life.
We wouldn’t want to go through what Job went through and then confront God about what HE had allowed into his life. We would have questions but we would hopefully know that God was doing it for a purpose in Job’s life and in our life.
There are many things that happened in my lifetime that I would like to question God concerning but I know that it was all for my good from HIS perspective. From my perspective I still have questions but once I go into HIS presence there will be no questions but praise for the salvation HE has allowed me to have through HIS Son.
CHALLENGE: Job went through a lot to teach us that God is in control and HE will allow whatever HE feels is necessary for our person growth in relationship to HIM.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 11 Who has prevented me, that I should repay him? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is mine. (6923 “prevented” [qadam] means disappoint, anticipate, to project, precede, anticipate, hasten, come before, or meet.)
DEVOTION: Is anyone or anything in front of God in authority? Do we have to answer to something or someone higher than God? Can we overwhelm some of the dinosaurs the LORD created? Are we stronger than all of the animals in the world?
The LORD continues his confrontation of Job. In this verse HE is telling Job that even if he has done good works, HE is not obligated to reward Job. It is not that good works equal blessings from God worldview. Job was thinking that he was doing everything right and because of that God was blessing his life. God is trying to tell Job that HE is not obligated to honor that system.
God does what pleases HIM. HE is the owner of everything that is in the world. HE can do as HE pleases with everything. The LORD is saying to Job that there was no one before HIM. There was no one to precede HIM in creation. HE owes no one anything for the world.
Everything in the whole heaven is HIS. HE owns everything. HE was making a point with Job regarding HIS creation. Job needed to understand that HE didn’t ask anyone for advice or use power from anyone else.
Job was unable to conquer even the leviathan. It is thought that this animal, as well as, the behemoth in the last chapter were both dinosaurs. One that ruled on land and one that ruled in the sea. The LORD used them both as an example of how helpless man can be before one of his created beings.
How was he going to tell the LORD what to do? HE did it all alone. The Godhead was all involved in creation but they acted as ONE. There is only ONE GOD in three persons. Do we understand? NO! Is it true? YES! We need to remember that the LORD owns everything in the world, including everything we think we own.
Are we giving HIM one hundred percent of our possessions or are some of our possessions owning us? Are we giving a thank offering to the LORD each week of our income? IF we give a thank offering, is God obligated to give us anything? HE has already given us HIS Son!!! Also with the gift of HIS Son, HE provides salvation to all how believe. Included in the salvation is a voice in heaven and a place in heaven.
Job had a problem with the LORD’S treatment of him. He didn’t think it was fair. Let us not ever have these feelings. They are wrong. If we received what we deserved – it would be the lake of fire for eternity.
CHALLENGE: We need to be a THANKFUL people!!!
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: 25 When he raises up himself, the mighty are afraid by reason of breakings they purify themselves. (2398 “purify” [chata] means cleanse, to miss the mark, to induce to sin, to bring into guilt or condemnation, to be thrown into a state of disarray or confusion.)
DEVOTION: When we are frighten by something or someone we run away. Here is an animal that causes fear in those who see it and want to get as far away from it as they can.
This also has a secondary meaning in the fact that when we are confronted by God we want to run and hide. We know that we are sinners in need of a Savior but we are afraid when we first meet God because HE is pure and we are not.
So we want to take time to cleanse ourselves by the confession of our sins and pray that the LORD will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, so that, we can enter into heaven for eternity.
God is trying to communicate with Job regarding his life and his relationship with him. Job didn’t think he deserved all the trials that he has gone through before he had a chance to face God.
God told him that the trials were for his own good. HE wanted Job to correct his thinking about what God had allowed in his life. HE wanted him to realize that he was not pure but a sinner like all other men and needed to confess his sin and establish a better relationship with HIM.
CHALLENGE: We need to realize that we are sinners in need of a Savior that only God can provide. We need to make sure we don’t have too high an opinion of ourselves when we are confronted by a Holy God.
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DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 33 “Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear [חָת, (chath, 2844), fear, terror, shattered, dismayed].”
DEVOTION: God’s description of HIS creation continues with a whole chapter devoted to “leviathan.” This is an obscure sea animal which is mentioned only five times in the Old Testament (including in this chapter). Whatever kind of animal it was, God describes it as strong, almost impossible to kill, and fearsome. It is clear that the writers of the Old Testament (as well as its readers) knew what kind of animal this was.
This is the last example that God gives Job concerning HIS majesty and glory based on HIS creation. HE has previously mentioned daytime (the sun), the heavenly expanse, thunderstorms, stars, lions, mountain goats, wild donkeys, wild oxen, ostriches, horses, eagles, and Behemoth. Pagans had made false deities out of these in the hopes of appeasing the forces behind them that affected their planet. Yet the demons behind each of these forms of idol worship were not able to deliver those who worshipped them. God points out that mankind had a history of worshipping the creation rather than the Creator (Romans 1:25).
God points out that this animal had no reason to fear man. So if Leviathan, created by God, did not fear man, why should God fear man and his criticisms? Once again God is reminding Job of HIS infinite superiority to man, and this gives HIM the right to decide what will happen in each of our lives.
Job has already acknowledged his lowly position vis-à-vis God (Job 40:4). All that remains is for Job to obey whatever it is that God commands him to do. This he will do in chapter 42.
CHALLENGE: Does your perspective of God lead you to obedience? Are you willing to obey God even when you do not understand what HE is doing?
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: 34 He beholds all high things: he is a king over all the children of pride. 7830, pride [shachats] means unreasonable and inordinate self-esteem, elation, dignity, proud, or the improper state of self- confidence which is not warranted, and so exhibit haughtiness and arrogance.)
DEVOTION: Man can’t singlehandedly conquer a hippopotamus or a crocodile. They are strong animals. With a gun they can be killed but for a man to bare handedly conquer these animals would be very hard.
The challenge is there that man is not able to defeat some of creation by himself. We have to use some other force to conquer some of creation.
Man is not able to conquer evil by himself. He needs the help of the LORD to defeat evil. Every believer needs the help of the Holy Spirit to resist temptation. We are not able to conquer sin on our own. We need the LORD. HE is the one that helps us understand what evil is in this world. Too often we can fall into sin without realizing it.
Job was one who needed the LORD to help him understand all that was going through. He needed the LORD to help him with his “friends.” He needed the LORD to help him defend himself against the young man named Elihu.
We need the LORD to help us each day as we face challenges that HE allows in our lives to help us understand that w can’t do it on our own. There is a real enemy in the devil who has many other fallen angels to help him tempt us to sin.
With the help of the LORD Job can defeat any enemy and so can we. We have to trust HIM with our whole heart and yield to HIS leading in our life.
CHALLENGE: Are we facing enemies or temptations that we can’t defeat on our own? Then we need to lean on the LORD to help us through each temptation. Job needed HIM and so do we!!!
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DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
100% of the heaven is the LORD’S possession verse 11
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
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DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
Leviathan – created by God verse 1 – 34
Scales are his pride
Made without fear
King of beasts
Whatever is under the whole heaven is
Mine verse 11
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead –God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Job verse 1- 8
Servant verse 4
Maidens verse 5
Merchants verse 6
Mighty verse 25
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
Vain verse 9
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Covenant verse 4
Hope verse 9
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
The “leviathan” is given three times as much space as the behemoth, with much more detail about its temperament and habits. Most interpreters see the crocodile here although, after the discovery of Ugaritic literature with its mythical dragon called Lotan, many have assumed that a dragonlike creature is what the poet had in mind.105 Though some of the statements are hyperbolic (vv. 18–20 [10–12]), there are enough that accurately describe the features and behavior of a crocodile to make it probable that the poet had seen this creature (note the scaly skin in vv. 7, 15–17 [40:31; 41:7–9]; the many sharp teeth in v. 14 [6] and the fast swimming in v. 32 [24]). In the middle of the chapter (vv. 10–11 [2–3]) God spoke of himself in the first person as if to remind Job what this long description was about: to demonstrate that he rather than Job was master of the animals. As a mortal who could be killed by a crocodile, Job’s only choice was to trust and obey Yahweh. (Alden, R. L. (1993). Job (Vol. 11, p. 400). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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41:10 [2] Some would change “me” to match “him” of the first line, but the point of this chapter is that the God who created and controls even the wildest of animals is not one to be challenged by a mere mortal. So midway through this speech about one of the most fearsome animals, God indirectly asked whether Job really wanted to pursue his case all the way to the divine court (cf. 13:22). (Alden, R. L. (1993). Job (Vol. 11, p. 402). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
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41:1–34. Leviathan is the name of a seven-headed sea dragon in the old myths, particularly those of Canaan before the Israelite occupation. Scraps of this ancient literature survive in the Old Testament, and are undoubtedly the source of the name used here. The abundant proof supplied by Pope (pp. 329ff.) settles this point. But it does not prove that Leviathan is still a mythological monster in this poem. The extravagant picture fits the crocodile well enough, but other identifications have been proposed, some of which involve dividing the poem into smaller portions. neb has settled for the whale, at least in verses 1–6, which it transfers to the end of chapter 39. (Andersen, F. I. (1976). Job: An Introduction and Commentary (Vol. 14, p. 312). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
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41:1–11. A fishhook … a rope.… a cord, and a hook are inadequate to capture so fierce an animal (vv. 1–2). It is not so easily tamed that it would, personified like a human, plead to be released or agree to being tamed and used as a pet (vv. 3–5). Merchants cannot sell it, since it is seldom captured (v. 6). Larger fishing equipment, such as harpoons and spears (v. 7), and even hand combat (v. 8) are useless. Since people are afraid at even the sight of a crocodile, no one would dare wake it up (vv. 9–10). God then used this fierce amphibian to illustrate man’s inability to oppose God (to stand against Him) or to claim He owes them something (since everything is His). If Job panicked at seeing a crocodile, how did he dare confront the crocodile’s Maker, telling Him He had done wrong? If the beast’s power exceeded Job’s strength, certainly Job would be impotent before God. (Zuck, R. B. (1985). Job. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 772). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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The crocodile (Job 41:1–34). The word “leviathan” is the transliteration of a Hebrew word, the root of which means “to twist, to writhe.” People used the word to describe the “sea monsters” that were supposed to inhabit the Mediterranean. Psalm 104:25–26 may refer to whales or dolphins. The Jews used the word to describe their enemies (Isa. 27:1), especially Egypt (Ps. 74:13–14). Revelation 12:9 refers to Satan as “that old serpent.” In mythology, the leviathan was a many-headed monster that ruled the waters and feared no man.
“Can you capture the leviathan?” asked the Lord. “And if you can, what will you do with him?” (see Job 41:1–11) Well, what can you do with a captured crocodile? You can’t make a pet out of him, no matter how agreeable he seems to be (vv. 3–5); and the merchants won’t want to buy him from you (v. 6). If you try to train him, you’ll quit in a hurry and never try to do it again! (vv. 8–9) God drew a practical conclusion: “If you can’t come to grips with the crocodile, how will you ever be able to stand before Me?” (vv. 10–11)
In verses 12–24, God gave a poetical description of this great creature’s mighty limbs, fierce teeth and strong jaws, and impregnable covering (vv. 12–17). When the crocodile churns up the river and blows out water, the sun reflects from the vapor; and it looks like fire and smoke from a dragon’s mouth (vv. 18–21). His armor is so strong that he can go anywhere without fear (vv. 22–24).
The chapter closes with a description of the leviathan’s anger and courage (vv. 25–34). People flee from him in fear (v. 25), but he doesn’t flee from them. In verses 26–29, God named eight different weapons that the leviathan laughs at and treats like pieces of straw or rotten wood. Just as this creature fears nothing around him, so he fears nothing under him; for his underside is protected with a covering like sharp pieces of pottery (v. 30). He fears no enemy on the land or in the water (vv. 31–32), for he makes the water to foam like the ingredients in the apothecary’s mixing pot. And when he swims through the water, the wake looks like the white hair of an old man! (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Patient (pp. 151–152). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
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41:10 Who then is he that can stand before Me? This was the essential question being asked in both the Behemoth and Leviathan passages. God created these awesome creatures, and His might is far greater than theirs. If Job couldn’t stand against them, what was he doing contending with God? He would be better off to fight a dinosaur or a killer shark. (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Job 41:10). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
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Ver. 10. None is so fierce that dare stir him up, &c.] This seems best to agree with the crocodile, who frequently lies down and sleeps on the ground, and in the water by nightr; see Ezek. 29:3. when it is very dangerous to arouse him; and few, if any so daring, have courage enough to do it: though whales have been seen lying near Shore asleep, and looked like rocks, even forty of them together. Who then is able to stand before me? This is the inference the Lord draws from hence, or the use he makes of it; that if this creature is so formidable and terrible, that it is dangerous to arouse and provoke him, and there is no standing before him or against him; then how should any one be able to stand before the Lord, who made this creature, whenever he is angry? see Psal. 76:7. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 513). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
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1–10. I stay not to offer any comment upon this description of the Leviathan, neither shall I enter into an enquiry what animal it is that is here intended by the Leviathan: some have thought that it is the crocodile that is meant to be described; and others conceive that it is the whale: but it appears to me to be of little importance to inquire. It is sufficient that it is a creature of God, and, as such, displays in its formation God’s power and sovereignty. And the conclusion to be made from the view of such a wonderful production, is best made in the words of God himself: ‘If a man would tremble at the idea of stirring up such a creature, who can be able to stand before God? If the thing created be tremendous, what must the great Creator be?’ (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: Job–Psalms (Vol. 4, p. 152). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
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FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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Joshua again gathers Israel to hear a review of their history and the good things God has done for them. He states the benefits and consequences of faithfulness and unfaithfulness. “If it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve. . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (v. 15). Fortunately, the Israelites accept the challenge and agree to serve the Lord.
From time to time, the Lord may challenge us through various and unpredictable ways. When we drift from Him, when we get stale, or cease growing, the Lord will often bring a circumstance into our lives which forces us to choose whom we will serve. At those times, we must learn from the nation of Israel and choose to serve the Lord. (Quiet Walk)
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Do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. PSALM 119:133
The Dutch boast that God made the world, but the Dutch made Holland. That’s because nearly half of Holland’s land area was reclaimed from the sea and other natural waterways.
We witnessed this feat firsthand several years ago when we visited Amsterdam. We toured the famous network of dikes and levees that keep the land separated from the ocean. We also learned that, even with the most well-constructed protection, water inevitably seeps back through the dikes, requiring the use of pumps and canals to divert it back out. If the encroaching water were ever allowed to stay—even at this slow, nearly unnoticed pace— Holland would eventually sink and be submerged.
This is much more than a lesson in geography or engineering. We, too, are constantly bombarded by troubles and temptations, many of which find ways of seeping into our lives: Little sins we fail to consider as dangerous . . . waves of doubt that make us question God’s goodness . . . undercurrents of discontentment that echo in our minds and whisper in our ears. That’s why we need barriers in place to protect us from inundation by the relentless tide of unbelief and moral compromise. Things like daily Bible reading, ongoing prayer, regular points of accountability, and written-out goals and value statements.
And we need built-in systems that pump out murky water that seeps in despite our best efforts at resistance. We need hearts that are quick both to repent and to forgive, marriages where communication is open and honest, and weekly worship where we are cleansed by the purity of God’s presence. Everyone takes on water from time to time. Be sure to keep it bailed out, or you’ll soon find yourself sinking and submerged. (Moments with You Couples by Dennis and Barbara Rainey)
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Making Room for Atheism
John Piper
Our church exists “to spread a passion for the supremacy of God in all things for the joy of all peoples through Jesus Christ.” That is our mission. “All things” means business, industry, education, media, sports, arts, leisure, government, and all the details of our lives.
Ideally this means God should be recognized and trusted as supreme by every person he has made. But the Bible teaches plainly that there will never be a time before Jesus comes back when all people will honor him as supreme (2 Thessalonians 1:6-10).
So how do we express a passion for God’s supremacy in a pluralistic world where most people do not recognize God as an important part of their lives, let alone an important part of government or education or business or industry or art or recreation or entertainment?
Answer: We express a passion for the supremacy of God…
1) by maintaining a conviction at all times that God is ever-present and gives all things their most important meaning. He is the Creator, Sustainer, and Governor of all things. We must keep in our minds the truth that all things exist to reveal something of God’s infinite perfections. The full meaning of everything, from shoestrings to space shuttles, is the way they relate to God.
2) by trusting God in every circumstance to use his creative, sustaining, governing wisdom and power to work all things together for the good of all who love him. This is faith in the future grace of all that God promises to be for us in Jesus.
3) by making life choices that reveal the supreme worth of God above what the world values supremely. “The steadfast love of the Lord is better than life” (Psalms 63:3). So we will choose to die rather than lose sweet fellowship with God. This will show his supremacy over all that life offers.
4) by speaking to people of God’s supreme worth in creative and persuasive ways, and by telling people how they can be reconciled to God through Christ, so that they can enjoy God’s supremacy as protection and help, rather than fear it as judgment.
5) by making clear that God himself is the foundation for our commitment to a pluralistic democratic order — not because pluralism is his ultimate ideal, but because in a fallen world, legal coercion will not produce the kingdom of God. Christians agree to make room for non-Christian faiths (including naturalistic, materialistic faiths), not because commitment to God’s supremacy is unimportant, but because it must be voluntary, or it is worthless. We have a God-centered ground for making room for atheism. “If my kingship were of this world, my servants would fight” (John 18:36). The fact that God establishes his kingdom through the supernatural miracle of faith, not firearms, means that Christians in this age will not endorse coercive governments — Christian or secular.
This is why we resist the coercive secularization implied in some laws that repress Christian activity in public places. It is not that we want to establish Christianity as the law of the land. That is intrinsically impossible, because of the spiritual nature of the kingdom. It is rather because repression of free exercise of religion and persuasion is as wrong against Christians as it is against secularists.
We believe this tolerance is rooted in the very nature of the gospel of Christ. In one sense, tolerance is pragmatic: freedom and democracy seem to be the best political order humans have conceived.
But for Christians it is not purely pragmatic: the spiritual, relational nature of God’s kingdom is the ground of our endorsement of pluralism, until Christ comes with rights and authority that we do not have.
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