1 Job humbled himself to God. 6 God stirred him up to show his righteousness, power, and wisdom. 15 Of the behemoths.
Job 40:1 The LORD said to Job.
Verses 1–5 of this chapter mark a brief interlude in God’s address to Job. It seems as if God is giving Job an opportunity to make a complete surrender at this point. Job 40:2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!”
God’s question to Job revolves around four verbs, “contended,” “instruct,” “reproved,” “answer.”
Job has heard the profound questions of chs. 38 and 39. Now the question comes to him, can he, the faultfinder, the contender, instruct the God of all nature? The answer that Job will give is obvious, in view of the revelations of the previous two chapters. Job is pointedly challenged to defend his endeavors to instruct God. Satan predicted that Job would curse God. This he had not done. But he had erred in trying to tell God what to do.
Job had expressed himself as anxious to argue his case with God. He seemed to feel that, somehow, God did not quite understand. Now, after God has given a new revelation of His wisdom, Job is asked whether he still feels himself qualified to be the plaintiff in a case against God.
Job Promises Silence
Job 40:3 Then Job answered the LORD:
Job had anticipated such an opportunity as this—an opportunity to lay his case directly before God. This is his long-awaited occasion. What would he do with it? Job 40:4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth.
Instead of saying, “I am innocent,” as he had intended to say, he replies, “I am vile.” God’s revelation has changed his entire attitude toward himself and toward God. A similar conviction dawns upon all men who arrive at a proper appreciation of God.
How can I reply to you? The Job who was so anxious to present his case to God has no answer.
My hand over my mouth. Compare chs. 21:5; 29:9.
Job 40:5 I spoke once, but I have no answer— twice, but I will say no more.”
The Lord Challenges Job
Job 40:6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm: an acknowledgement on Job’s part of the futility of his arguments.
Apparently Job needs further instruction. From the whirlwind returns the divine voice. If God’s motive had been to abash Job, He would not need to say more. Already Job has admitted his littleness, and has promised to say no more. But God’s primary purpose is not to embarrass Job, but to lead him to a new experience.
Job 40:7 “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.
Job 40:8 “Would you discredit my justice? Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Will you maintain that I have not been just and fair? Will you condemn My conduct in order to justify yourself? Job had come perilously near doing this very thing.
Job 40:9 Do you have an arm like God’s, and can your voice thunder like his?
God reminds Job that it is foolish for him to condemn God, because he is so weak in comparison with God. Job cannot act nor speak in a manner comparable to that of God.
Job 40:10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
This text names four attributes of God: majesty, excellency, glory, and beauty (see Ps. 93:1; 104:1, 2). Job is challenged to clothe himself with these attributes, for only then would he be on an equality with God so as to be able to reason with Him on comparable terms.
Job 40:11 Unleash the fury of your wrath, look at all who are proud and bring them low,
Job is challenged to see what he can do about transgression and transgressors. Job 40:12 look at all who are proud and humble them, crush the wicked where they stand.
Job 40:13 Bury them all in the dust together; shroud their faces in the grave.
This may refer to an ancient custom regarding the disposal of the dead. It is known that in the preservation of mummies, the entire body was wrapped, including the face.
Job 40:14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
When Job can take to himself the attributes of God, when he can abase the proud and the wicked, when he can reduce to the grave the workers of iniquity, then will God acknowledge that he is able to save himself.
Job 40:15 “Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you and which feeds on grass like an ox.
This name is a transliteration of the Hebrew. It is the plural form of the common Hebrew word behemah, translated “cattle” (Gen. 1:24, 25; etc.), or beast (Gen. 8:20; 36:6; etc.). It seems here to be used as an intensive plural referring to a mammoth beast. Most authorities think that the term refers to the hippopotamus. However, there are those who refer it to (1) the elephant, (2) some extinct species, (3) an emblematic representation.
God was the creator of this beast as well as of Job. The animal referred to as a behemah was apparently herbivorous.
Job 40:16 What strength it has in its loins, what power in the muscles of its belly!
Job 40:17 Its tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
The slender tail of the elephant does not fit this description. The tail of the hippopotamus is thick, short, and muscular.
Job 40:18 Its bones are tubes of bronze, its limbs like rods of iron.
Job 40:19 It ranks first among the works of God, yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
Job 40:20 The hills bring it their produce, and all the wild animals play nearby.
The hills on either side of the river—if the hippopotamus is behemoth (see on v. 15). Otherwise, the picture would be that of a beast roaming over the mountains (see Ps. 104:14).
Job 40:21 Under the lotus plants it lies, hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
Job 40:22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow; the poplars by the stream surround it.
Poplars. This is a further description of aquatic life.
Job 40:23 A raging river does not alarm it; it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
The LXX here translates, “If there should be a flood, he will not perceive it.” The picture is of a beast so accustomed to water as to be unperturbed by floods or rushing streams. This, of course, suggests the hippopotamus.
Jordan. Here probably used in the sense of any large river. Job 40:24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes, or trap it and pierce its nose?