Heritage Reformed Baptist Mission
Job
Chapter 40
Job 40:1-24
v. 1 - "Moreover . . ." = this may indicate a pause by God to give Job an opportunity to speak.
"answered" = though Job had said nothing, God knew the thoughts of his heart and mind which Job was surely thinking while God was speaking; also, God's words in v. 2 indicate a continuing answer to all that Job had said previously.
v. 2 - Question 60 - Concerning Job's desire to present his case as a legal argument in a courtroom.
"answer it" = now, after hearing all that God has said up to this point, present your case.
vv. 3-5 - Job responds, but not as he thought he would.
v. 4 - "I am vile" = cf. Isa 6:5
Seeing and hearing God speak caused Job to see himself as he really was.
"what . . . mouth" = Job was able to declare his righteousness to his friends, but not to God. It is one thing to vindicate ourselves to men, quite another to do so to God.
People, even Christians, often say they are going to ask God about certain things. It may be God will entertain some questions from His people. (cf. Rev. 6:9-11) But silence will prevail at the Great White Throne where all that will be said by those being judged is, “Jesus Christ is Lord.” (cf. Phil 2:9-11) Also, it is not likely there will be any discussion with the Lord at the Judgment Seat of Christ when believers will be judged for rewards according to their works as believers. (cf. 1 Cor 3:12-15; 2 Cor 5:10)
v. 5 - Job confesses he had spoken contrary to God and says he will not now speak before God as he had said he wanted to do, and that he will speak contrary to God no more.
"twice" = often, which he had done in his complaining.
But it seems there was something lacking in Job's repentance, for God again takes up His questioning.
vv. 6-7 - God resumes His admonition to Job in basically the same words with which He began to speak to him in Chapter 38.
"gird up" = get ready
vv. 8-9 - Questions 61-64 - Concerning the declarations of Job's complaining. 1. That the afflictions were unjust; 2. That Job was right and God was wrong; and 3. That Job was on a par with God
"disannul" = Heb = to break; figuratively, to frustrate
"judgment" = Heb = a verdict
Job’s complaining declared:
1. That the afflictions were unjust;
2. That Job was right and God was wrong; and
3. That Job was on a par with God
v. 10 - Since Job wanted to be equal with God and by his complaining had declared such equality, God invites him now to show it.
vv. 11-14 - God challenges Job to show that he is equal with Him by pouring out his wrath upon the proud and wicked, controlling their activities, even putting them to death. If Job can do those things, then God will agree that he can save himself and therefore has no need of God's help.
v. 15 - From here through Chapter 41, God closes His admonition of Job with the illustration of two wild animals which declare His majesty and power.
"behemoth" = hippopotamus; though some think elephant or perhaps some creature now extinct, specifically, the dinosaur. The characteristics of the beast (vv. 15-24) very much describe the hippo, though there are things which could be applied especially to the dinosaur.
v. 17 - "moveth . . ." = though the hippo's tail is curled like that of a pig, it can be stiffened straight and moved back and forth (wagged) like a cedar in the wind. Such a thing seems remarkable in view of the enormity of the hippo and the smallness of its tail.
On the other hand, cedar may refer to the size of the tail. If so, then the dinosaur would be the most obvious beast referred to.
v. 19 - "chief" = of God's amphibious creations, if the hippo; largest of all, if the dinosaur.
"sword" = Heb = a sharp cutting instrument
In this case, either, the teeth of the hippo (or dinosaur), which are (were) strong, sharp and have (had) the appearance of swords; or, that God can, at His pleasure, bring about the death of the hippo (or dinosaur). The context, describing the strength of the hippo (or dinosaur), would seem to support the first interpretation, though the second is certainly true, and would emphasize the authority and power of God.
v. 20 - Though not normally or usually found there, the hippo sometimes wanders to the mountains close to the Nile river where grass grows in abundance; and being a grass-eater, the other animals continue their activities unafraid of so large a beast. The same would be true if the dinosaur is the animal in question.
v. 23 - The implication here is the hippo (or dinosaur) is not disturbed when the river is turbulent and does not try to get away from it, but is confident he can conquer it.
v. 24 - This is another difficult verse. As it stands in the KJV and also the NKJV, "it" refers to the turbulent river which the hippo (or dinosaur) masters even though his eyes are assaulted by water or he had been wounded.
Other translations, typical of which is the Modern KJV ("Shall any take him before his eyes, or pierce through his nose with cords?") make this a question (then, 85 in all), asking if the hippo (or dinosaur), due to his great size and strength, can be captured without some form of trickery.