So, God has been giving Job the God-test. “Job, can you create a universe out of nothing, create a world of creatures and gift each one with its unique talents, create from dust a human mind, or hold the universe together by the power of your will? Are you eternal, Job (human race)?”
To this test Job must confess (as do we all) complete failure; we cannot pass a single test or even come close. That’s why Job has to put his hand on his mouth, as if to say by gesture, “I have misspoken!”
“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?…Will you really annul my judgment…?” And from here God’s discussion revolves around two of his most powerful creatures to illustrate his stregth and power — apparently what we’d call dinosaurs, Behemoth and Leviathan. Behemoth appears to be the large brontosaurus variety dinosaur, and Leviathan appears to be a more alligator-ish dinosaur — from the description, very much like a traditional dragon.
As an aside, the scientific world, in an effort to make a case for a very old earth have relegated dinosaurs to an era 150 million years ago. Yet there are evidences that point to the coexistence of men and dinosaurs, and this passage in Job along with the other worldwide references to dragons in human histories (in the form of stories, legends, myths, and pictographs) are part of that body of evidence.
But back to the main point, the reason God’s power is pointed out here is to underscore to Job and to us Who we are talking to, when we find fault with God’s judgment or plans. We’re not speaking to another flawed and weak human being. We are speaking the One who is all wise, all-powerful, and whose purpose cannot be thwarted (42:2).
Job’s response was that he had clearly declared what he didn’t understand — he had spoken with having a real clue — things too wonderful for him to understand. And here may be the real answer to all the questions that we have seen asked in this book and in our own hearts. There are many things that are simply way above our pay grade, as it were. We may not like that answer — we didn’t like that answer, when we were kids either, when our parents were making wise decisions for us that we didn’t like. But there are things that God does that we don’t and won’t understand in this lifetime, maybe ever. What we do need to know is this: God is wise and good and loving and acting in our best interests. And when troubles come our way, we need to realize that God disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6).
Job gets double back everything he lost. And the point here to us is not that we should expect a complete restoration of material things lost, but realize that faithfully enduring trial for us will obtain glory that is not worthy to be compared to the suffering we bore (Rom. 8:18) — see also Matt 19:29.
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.
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I lay my hand on my mouth — Job 40-42
So, God has been giving Job the God-test. “Job, can you create a universe out of nothing, create a world of creatures and gift each one with its unique talents, create from dust a human mind, or hold the universe together by the power of your will? Are you eternal, Job (human race)?”
To this test Job must confess (as do we all) complete failure; we cannot pass a single test or even come close. That’s why Job has to put his hand on his mouth, as if to say by gesture, “I have misspoken!”
“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?…Will you really annul my judgment…?” And from here God’s discussion revolves around two of his most powerful creatures to illustrate his stregth and power — apparently what we’d call dinosaurs, Behemoth and Leviathan. Behemoth appears to be the large brontosaurus variety dinosaur, and Leviathan appears to be a more alligator-ish dinosaur — from the description, very much like a traditional dragon.
As an aside, the scientific world, in an effort to make a case for a very old earth have relegated dinosaurs to an era 150 million years ago. Yet there are evidences that point to the coexistence of men and dinosaurs, and this passage in Job along with the other worldwide references to dragons in human histories (in the form of stories, legends, myths, and pictographs) are part of that body of evidence.
But back to the main point, the reason God’s power is pointed out here is to underscore to Job and to us Who we are talking to, when we find fault with God’s judgment or plans. We’re not speaking to another flawed and weak human being. We are speaking the One who is all wise, all-powerful, and whose purpose cannot be thwarted (42:2).
Job’s response was that he had clearly declared what he didn’t understand — he had spoken with having a real clue — things too wonderful for him to understand. And here may be the real answer to all the questions that we have seen asked in this book and in our own hearts. There are many things that are simply way above our pay grade, as it were. We may not like that answer — we didn’t like that answer, when we were kids either, when our parents were making wise decisions for us that we didn’t like. But there are things that God does that we don’t and won’t understand in this lifetime, maybe ever. What we do need to know is this: God is wise and good and loving and acting in our best interests. And when troubles come our way, we need to realize that God disciplines those He loves (Heb. 12:6).
Job gets double back everything he lost. And the point here to us is not that we should expect a complete restoration of material things lost, but realize that faithfully enduring trial for us will obtain glory that is not worthy to be compared to the suffering we bore (Rom. 8:18) — see also Matt 19:29.
See you tomorrow, Lord willing.
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About parklinscomb
I'm a minister for the Rock Hill church of Christ in Frisco TX (rhcoc.org) where I've worked since 2020. I'm a big fan of my family, archaeology, the Bible, and the Lord's church.