Job 40, Justice and Behemoth

YHWH has appeared in a storm and challenged Job as to his understanding of creation, of the stars, weather, oceans and wild animals. Can Job challenge God on any of these things?

Job 40: 1-4, Who contends?

The LORD said to Job:

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? 

Let him who accuses God answer him!"

Then Job answered the LORD:

"I am unworthy--how can I reply to you? 

I put my hand over my mouth.

I spoke once, but I have no answer-- 

twice, but I will say no more."

Job is challenged to answer YHWH. Job has insisted on his on innocence and demanded justice. YHWH has laid out numerous examples of His power over all creation and Job admits that he has no reply to this. Job admits that he has no standing in an audience with the Creator. 

In Job 13: 22, Job gave a courtroom challenge: "You speak first and I will respond or I will speak first and you respond." But now that YHWH has spoken, Job admits he has no answer.

Job 40: 6-7, Brace yourself again

Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:

"Brace yourself like a man; 

I will question you, and you shall answer me.

YHWH then continues with a follow-up speech, along the previous lines of Creation, but touching on justice. Job has been asking for justice; YHWH's response is that Job has no clue to what is involved.

Job 40: 8-14, The justice of God

"Would you discredit my justice? 

Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

Do you have an arm like God's, 

and can your voice thunder like his?

 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor, 

and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

Unleash the fury of your wrath, 

look at every proud man and bring him low,

look at every proud man and humble him, 

crush the wicked where they stand.

Bury them all in the dust together; 

shroud their faces in the grave.

Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.

Justice and power are linked. Job's view of justice is challenged here. Since Job does not see God's power and majesty, he does not see all the proud and wicked.

Job 40: 15-24, Behemoth

"Look at the behemoth, which I made along with you 

and which feeds on grass like an ox.

What strength he has in his loins, 

what power in the muscles of his belly!

His tail sways like a cedar;

 the sinews of his thighs are close-knit.

His bones are tubes of bronze, 

his limbs like rods of iron.

He ranks first among the works of God, 

yet his Maker can approach him with his sword.

The hills bring him their produce, 

and all the wild animals play nearby.

Under the lotus plants he lies, 

hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

The lotuses conceal him in their shadow; 

the poplars by the stream surround him.

When the river rages, he is not alarmed; 

he is secure, though the Jordan should surge against his mouth.

Can anyone capture him by the eyes,

or trap him and pierce his nose?

As Job considers justice and power, YHWH brings before him the image of the powerful "behemoth". As described here, this animal is likely the hippopotamus moving among the lotuses of a river. Scientists say that in ancient times the hippopotamus was common along the Nile and even in the Levant. Hartley suggests that the name "Jordan" here symbolizes "any river with a strong current."

This mighty creature "ranks first among the works of God" (verse 19) yet God has complete control of this creature. Although Behemoth is "first among the works of God", there is one more creature to be described.  It is the awesome Leviathan, which dominates chapter 41....