Job 40:1-24
Behemoth under God's Rule
1And the LORD said to Job:
2“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”
3Then Job answered the LORD:
4“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You? I place my hand over my mouth.
5I have spoken once, but I have no answer—twice, but I have nothing to add.”
6Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:
7“Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me.
8Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?
9Do you have an arm like God’s? Can you thunder with a voice like His?
10Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and clothe yourself with honor and glory.
11Unleash the fury of your wrath; look on every proud man and bring him low.
12Look on every proud man and humble him; trample the wicked where they stand.
13Bury them together in the dust; imprison them in the grave.
14Then I will confess to you that your own right hand can save you.
15Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you. He feeds on grass like an ox.
16See the strength of his loins and the power in the muscles of his belly.
17His tail sways like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.
18His bones are tubes of bronze; his limbs are rods of iron.
19He is the foremost of God’s works; only his Maker can draw the sword against him.
20The hills yield him their produce, while all the beasts of the field play nearby.
21He lies under the lotus plants, hidden among the reeds of the marsh.
22The lotus plants conceal him in their shade; the willows of the brook surround him.
23Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid; he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.
24Can anyone capture him as he looks on, or pierce his nose with a snare?
Berean Standard Bible
The LORD asks whether a faultfinder will contend with the Almighty and whether Job will correct God. Job answers that he is unworthy and puts his hand over his mouth. He has spoken once and will not answer further, but God tells him to brace himself and continue listening.
God asks whether Job would condemn Him to justify himself. Can Job's arm be like God's, or can his voice thunder like God's? If Job can humble every proud person, crush the wicked, and hide them in the dust, then God would acknowledge that Job's own hand can save him.
God then asks Job to consider Behemoth, which He made along with Job. It eats grass like an ox, has strength in its loins, and moves its tail and bones with power. Its bones are like bronze and its limbs like iron, yet it is not outside God's creation or care.
Behemoth lies under lotus plants, hides among reeds, and is not alarmed when the river surges. The description is vivid and difficult to identify with certainty. Its purpose is clearer than its species: Job cannot master even this great creature, while God made and understands it.
Questions
1 How does Job respond at first?
AnswerHe says he is unworthy, puts his hand over his mouth, and will not answer further.
2 What does God ask Job not to do?
AnswerHe asks whether Job will condemn God in order to justify himself.
3 How is Behemoth described?
AnswerBehemoth eats grass like an ox and has powerful bones and limbs.
4 Where does Behemoth rest?
AnswerIt rests under lotus plants and hides among reeds and marshes.
What This Means for Us
Humility is not agreeing that every accusation against us is true. Job's first answer is appropriate because he has encountered God's greatness, not because the friends' theory has been proven.
The passage also reminds us that a creature's meaning is not exhausted by our ability to control it. Receive limits as part of wisdom rather than treating everything unexplained as a threat.
Prayer
God of greatness, humble us without crushing us. Help us receive correction, reject the need to justify ourselves at every moment, and respect the limits that teach us we are not the center of creation. Amen.