JOB LESSON 39


     We will begin this book in Job 40:1 "Moreover the LORD answered
Job, and said," Job 40:2 "Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty
instruct [him]? he that reproveth God, let him answer it."

     The LORD, in the verse above, is Jehovah. Job had spoken a little
forward, when he wanted to bring his case to the LORD face to face. We
must remember the great stress and pain that Job was under at the
time. He truly wanted to know what he had done to deserve this
terrible punishment. We, also, must remember that Job was unaware of
the challenge Satan had placed before God in his servant Job. One last
thing we must remember, is no matter how bad it got, Job did not curse
God, as Satan had said he would.

     Job 40:3  "Then Job answered the LORD, and said," Job 40:4
"Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand
upon my mouth."

     Job realized that he had spoken a little too boldly to the LORD.
He said, "I will say no more".

     Job 40:5 "Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice;
but I will proceed no further."

     Job admitted that he had spoken twice, as if he would instruct
God and that was a mistake. I do not believe that God would find too
much error in this, since Job was really inquiring what he had done
wrong.

     Job 40:6  "Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind,
and said," Job 40:7 "Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand
of thee, and declare thou unto me."

     This message, like the previous message spoken from the
whirlwind, was spoken to Job by God. The difference, here, is that the
reprimand this time was for Job, instead of Elihu. God will show Job
the workings of God more fully in this.

     Job 40:8 "Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn
me, that thou mayest be righteous?"

     God had not said that Job had sinned. He reprimanded Job for
questioning His judgement. He realized that Job thought himself to be
a righteous man. God knew Job was a righteous man in His sight, but he
did not want Job thinking he was righteous in his own right.

     Job 40:9 "Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a
voice like him?"

     God felt that He must continue showing Job His power and
greatness.  Job had apologized for speaking out of line, but God
wanted Job to further realize his position.
     Job 40:10 "Deck thyself now [with] majesty and excellency; and
array thyself with glory and beauty."

     God was describing his own dress. He is Majesty and Strength at
all times. God is engulfed in Light so bright, it is above the light
of the sun. God showed Job that he could not dress himself with such
as this.  God had dressed Job in his robe of righteousness, however.

     Job 40:11 "Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every
one [that is] proud, and abase him."

     God was showing Job, that power of this kind belonged to God
alone.

     Job 40:12 "Look on every one [that is] proud, [and] bring him
low; and tread down the wicked in their place." Job 40:13 "Hide them
in the dust together; [and] bind their faces in secret."

     Of course, He was not intending for Job to do these things. He
was showing Job that vengeance is of the LORD. Job could not and would
not try to right all the wrong in the world. That is the job of God.

     Job 40:14 "Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own
right hand can save thee."

     The Right Hand of God is the Saviour of the world. Job's right
hand, or for that matter, not anyone else's right hand can save
anyone. There is only one way to be saved, and that is through Jesus
Christ {the Right Hand of God}.

     Job 40:15  "Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he
eateth grass as an ox."

     Behemoth is speaking of some large animal, such as an elephant,
or a hippopotamus.  God was telling Job that he created this animal
larger in stature than other animals, and yet, it was an eater of
grass.  God can do with His creation, whatever He chooses to do.

     Job 40:16 "Lo now, his strength [is] in his loins, and his force
[is] in the navel of his belly."

     Whatever the animal was, it was very muscular in its stomach and
had great power in its legs.

     Job 40:17 "He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his
stones are wrapped together."

     The hippopotamus was, possibly, the one described here. He has a
short fat tail, that is as strong as a cedar tree.

     Job 40:18 "His bones [are as] strong pieces of brass; his bones
[are] like bars of iron."

     This is just saying his bones are very strong. Hippopotamus, or
elephants, walk through a jungle knocking down everything in front of
them. Their strength is very great. Nothing can seem to stop either of
them, when they are angry.

     Job 40:19 "He [is] the chief of the ways of God: he that made him
can make his sword to approach [unto him]."

     This was just saying that he was the largest of the animals God
had made. He was not easy to kill. It seemed at the time this was
written, only God could stop this great mass of an animal. Now, guns
are so powerful, they can kill an elephant.

     Job 40:20 "Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all
the beasts of the field play."

     These mountains were not speaking of truly high mountains, which
neither the elephant, or the hippopotamus, dwelt in. It was, possibly,
speaking of the rolling hills near the river. All of the wild animals
would stay in an area where they could readily find food and water.

     Job 40:21 "He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the
reed, and fens." Job 40:22 "The shady trees cover him [with] their
shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about."

     Both the hippopotamus and the elephant were known to lounge under
the trees and roll around in the sand near the water. The hippopotamus
liked to eat the reeds near the water.

     Job 40:23 "Behold, he drinketh up a river, [and] hasteth not: he
trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth."

     Either one of them could drink enough water to make the river
appear to go dry. The Jordan, here, is, possibly, speaking of any
fairly large river. Some scholars believe it to be speaking of the
Nile. It really does not matter which river it is. It is just speaking
of the vast amount of water the large animal could consume.

     Job 40:24 "He taketh it with his eyes: [his] nose pierceth
through snares."

     This was just saying that it would be difficult to snare him. It
would be almost impossible, if he saw you coming. He would fight with
his nose. This would be true of either the elephant or the
hippopotamus.










                           Job 39 Questions


1.  The LORD, in verse 1, is _________.
2.  What are some of the things we must remember about Job?
3.  How did Job answer God?
4.  Job admitted that he had spoken _________ _________.
5.  Why does the author believe God would not find too much error with
    Job?
6.  Where did the voice of God come from to Job?
7.  What was the difference in God speaking here than when He spoke
    earlier to Job?
8.  God reprimanded Job for what?
9.  What question does God ask Job in verse 9?
10. God told Job to deck himself with __________ and _________.
11. God is engulfed with Light so bright, it is brighter than the
    ______.
12. The Right Hand of God is the ________ of the world.
13. Behemoth is speaking of what?
14. It could be speaking of what two animals?
15. This animal was larger than other animals, but ate ________.
16. Where is this animal's strength manifested?
17. He moveth his tail like a ________.
18. His bones are like ________.
19. What is this large animal called in verse 19?
20. Where does he lounge?
21. He is so big, it appears he drinks up a ________.