Job 40

< Back to Job Index

TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

Job’s Response to God and God’s Challenge to Job

BACKGROUND NOTES

Earlier, Job had stated that if he could have an audience with God, he would approach God as if he, Job, was a prince and he would proudly proclaim his innocence (31:37). Now that God has addressed Job with many direct and forceful questions, has Job’s attitude in his response to the Lord changed (vs 4, 5)?
What is God pointing out to Job by way of His questions and statements in verses 7-14?
In verse 15, what kind of animal is God probably referring to with the term “behemoth”?
What is the factual information given in verses 19-24 about the behemoth that was also true of the large dinosaurs?
If Job’s attitude toward God had changed in his response to God (vs 3-5), why did the Lord continue to question Job (vs 6-24)?

Clearly, Job’s attitude has changed. Job is humbled before God here, and he is silenced (vs 3-5). He is no longer stating that he would approach God as a prince, and no longer proclaiming his innocence.
In verses 7-14, God is challenging Job to see if he measures up to being able to do what God can do. Job’s arm of power falls far short of God’s arm of power and Job’s voice is nothing like thunder. In addition, Job does not have the ability or power to humble the proud as God can.
In verse 15, God is referring to one of the now extinct, large dinosaurs. According to the Bible, dinosaurs were created on the sixth day of creation week, the same day on which man was created (Genesis 1:25). After the flood, climactic conditions changed significantly, so that the dinosaurs gradually became extinct. Job lived very early and he may have not only heard about behemoths, but he may have seen them as well.
The facts in verses 19-24 about the behemoth that were true of the large dinosaurs are: a. Plant eating (v 15) b. Great strength (v 16) c. Large tail (v 17) d. Bones like the strongest metals of the day (v 18) e. Largest of all creatures (v 19) f. Roamed the mountains for food (v 20) g. Could stand in the Jordan River and withstand flood-stage raging waters (vs 21-23)
God continued to question Job even though his attitude had changed because Job had not yet repented. We will see that Job did repent in chapter 42.

Discuss the beliefs held by those in your group regarding the six-day creation as stated in Genesis 1 and 2. Consider the impact of this chapter in Job (the behemoth) in determining the age of the earth, the creation of dinosaurs, the time of the flood, and the time of the ice age. Discuss the resources available from Christian organizations that have compiled extensive evidence supporting the biblical accounts as given in the book of Genesis.

Have you wondered if you really are a Christian? Are you concerned about where you will spend eternity? Just acknowledging the existence of God is only a first step. Make this the day that you take the critical and necessary step of repenting of your sin and receiving Christ as your personal savior. Once you have, by faith, put your trust in Christ, God’s promise of eternal life will be yours. You will forever be a true Christian.

“Then Job answered the Lord and said, ‘Behold, I am vile; What shall I answer You? I lay my hand over my mouth. Once I have spoken, but I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.’” Job 40:4,5