Job 40
In Job 40, God turns to Job to ask him a question. However, God’s intention is not to purely chastise Job, as it was with Elihu. This is because Job’s relationship with God is far different than Elihu’s. God considered Job a servant. As for Elihu, God did not even address him. What follows should be considered a discussion and instruction, Proverbs 9:9.
9Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning
This is important because although Job spoke well and did not curse God, Job did fail on one issue and it was a significant one. It is the same issue that many believer fail at today.
After God is finished with Job, which is only a few verses, He will spend the rest of this chapter and the next on an entirely new subject. God speaks about the one that seems to have avoided chastisement all together. Although he may escape it now, his time is coming.
Job 40:1-2
1Moreover Yehovah answered Job, and said, 2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
God is asking Job if He has to answer Job for what has occurred. This may seem as if it is a contradiction to what was stated earlier when discussing Isaiah 1:18.
18Come now, and let us reason together, saith Yehovah: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
This is not a contradiction, but a chance for Job to progress to an even higher level of maturity. It is true that Job could reason with God; however, in the case of the suffering servant it is slightly different. Job was a picture of Messiah. The Messiah never questioned the Father. There is always the hope that a believer will progress to that level where one willingly accepts the good, bad and all direction from God without question. That one would serve first and understanding would come later. As described in Luke 17:7-9.
7But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? 8And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? 9 Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not.
Believers are to serve first, anything less is rebellion. The believer should know without question that they serve a perfect God. A God that does not make mistakes nor changes his mind based on society’s desires. When one walks with a perfect God as instructed through His word, written and spoken, then one walks in His perfect will. If this is true, then all that happens to us is the best that should happen. That is the message of Romans 8:28.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
It is never that all will be good in the life of the believer; it is that all works for the good. One may occasionally have to suffer to bring forth God’s perfect will in their life and the life of others. For many this is a tough pill to swallow, because nominal Christianity teaches that everything should be good. This creates a false expectation. Especially when it is written in Philippians 1:29.
29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Messiah, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
And in 2 Timothy 3:12.
12Yea, and all that will live godly in Messiah Yeshua shall suffer persecution.
This is the hard truth of Christianity. At times, one will suffer and be persecuted. Yet if one is walking in God’s perfect will, then as Paul, they should expect 2 Timothy 3:10-11.
10But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, love, patience, 11Persecutions, afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me.
When one serves God, He will deliver them at the right time. The true Christian’s expectation is far different than what is taught in many churches today. One might ask why be a believer? We serve the living God, because it is the right thing to do. It results in knowing that what happens in this lifetime, whether good or bad, is the best for our lives.
The parable in Luke 17 teaches that one is to serve the Master unconditionally. One should serve without the expectation of return or recognition. Yeshua explains in Luke 17:10.
10So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.
For these, it is their duty to serve. They did not have an expectation of being worthy of the master. Truthfully, the individual is not worthy outside of God. Mankind is an imperfect being serving a perfect God. All fall short of the glory. One’s expectations should be as in James 4:13-15.
13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.
It is so important that one lives a life in the will of God and not in their own expectations. Truly, that is the example found in the Bible. Yeshua stated in John 10:14-18.
14I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine. 15As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep. 16And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd. 17Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
One needs to understand that Yeshua was not forced to go to the cross. Yeshua had made a conscious decision to do as the Father instructed. Yeshua knew what was at stake for mankind and He knew what He was surrendering.
The ultimate sign of obedience and relationship is when one acts unwaveringly and then comes full understanding. It is not God’s desire that one acts in blind faith. God wants believers to mature to the point where one acts knowing that what God does is always best. For Job, he failed at this.
If Job had cursed God, the devil would have proven God wrong. This never happened nor will God ever be proven wrong. Job did however, fail to be a willing participant in the events of his life. Events that God guided and allowed. This alone separated Job from Yeshua. Job after suffering long, stated in Job 3:1-3.
1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day. 2And Job spake, and said, 3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. 4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it.
Job had suffered so much that he would have preferred to have never been born. Later Job will state that he just wanted his life to end. When one chooses not to live the life guided by God, they are questioning God’s perfection. God does not make mistakes. So no matter how terrible life may seem, if one is walking in God’s will then it is what one should be doing. Job, who tired of his life, had forgotten that there was still a purpose for his life. A purpose that God had directed. God did not decide on a whim to allow Satan to disrupt Job’s life. It was a well thought out plan that fit into God’s purposes. It was something few have been worthy to undertake. Job was worthy. Few will ever suffer to the extent that Job did. But to think a believer will never suffer is foolhardy and counter to the Bible. One will always suffer either for God’s glory or because of their ignorance. When one can fully appreciate that, they will have a life filled with contentment, Philippians 4:11-13.
11Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 13I can do all things through Messiah which strengtheneth me.
Listen to Job’s answer to God, because it is a change for Job, Job 40:3-5.
3Then Job answered Yehovah, and said, 4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
Job, who was a servant of God, realizes his error. The question one need to answer is, was Job’s error a sin? That all depends upon the point of view. Based on the standards of the world, Job did nothing wrong. However, if our goal is to be more like Yeshua every day, Job failed to willing and cheerfully accept all that happened. Job failed to fully live out Romans 8:28. Nevertheless, Job’s error was not insurmountable.
Job, who when given the chance to respond, thought better not to speak. Job realized that his opportunity had come to demonstrate what he had learned. As such, Job would no longer question God as to why all this had happened to him. Our defense in front of the Almighty is not important, when one considers the overall good for mankind.
God continues in Job 40:6-8.
6Then answered Yehovah unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
This is the crux of the matter between God and Job. Remember what Satan challenged God on in Job 1:11.
11But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.
And again in Job 2:4.
4And Satan answered Yehovah, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
This was a discussion by two of the greatest beings at that time. When God allowed Satan to afflict Job, God was not wondering what would happen. God knew that He could trust Job to not curse Him. God would not allow Satan to get the better of Him. To allow that would prove that God was not an all-knowing and perfect God. Further, it would lead one to believe that God is fallible. That would bring into question every word of God. The Bible would no longer be a book one could absolutely trust. It would be questionable and not much more than cunning stories. There would be no guarantees that at the end, Satan and evil would be put down forever. Salvation, and everything associated, would be a gamble. Thankfully so, none of this is true.
God knew for a fact that Job would not curse Him. Job never once turned from or against God. Job served God to the best of his ability. Therein lies the problem. As righteous as he was, Job was limited. Job was not born of the spirit, that was not available to him. As such, Job did not have the indwelling, which is available today. Therefore, there was no spirit or force that was renewing him as in Romans 12:2.
2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Without the spirit, the only force that changes us is that of our own will. Job may have tried to perform Romans 12:1.
1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Job may have presented himself a living sacrifice, but without the indwelling he was limited. It did not cause him to curse God. It resulted in him being worn out and willing to give up the ghost. He was willing to die, although he was not willing to commit suicide. In effect, Job questioned God’s judgment of whether what was happening was God’s perfect will for him. When one does that, they move from God’s perfect will into to God’s permissive will. When that happens, they can no longer prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. They are questioning the perfect God. That was what Job did wrong, he questioned God’s judgment. When one questions God’s judgment, ultimately they are questioning the perfection of God. It means that one is questioning God’s wisdom and whether God actually knows what is best for a believer’s life.
God did not offer up Job to Satan just because he was the best at that time. God offered up Job, because he knew that Job would demonstrate qualities that generations could learn from in the future to come. In this, God had total faith that Job was worthy of the task. When one suffers for God’s purposes, they should be overjoyed to be chosen worthy. Just like the Apostles were in Acts 5:40-41.
40And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Yeshua, and let them go. 41And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.
This is the failing of Job. Many, who do have the indwelling, fail from even less suffering. Most believers do not like to suffer; however, Paul stated in Philippians 1:29.
29For unto you it is given in the behalf of Messiah, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;
Job suffered for God’s sake. Many believers typically suffer because of their ignorance.
In Job 40:9-10, God is focusing on a different subject. He will ask a rhetorical question that should provide us comfort. One may not always understand the discussion, but the subject should always be on our mind.
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? 10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
This is a very specific question. The arm that God is speaking of is the same as the one in Isaiah 52:10
10Yehovah hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
The arm of the Lord is Yeshua. What God is asking Job is, can you obtain your own salvation through your own righteousness? Of course, the answer to that question is no. None of us can do that. All fall short of the Glory. From the beginning, God knew that Adam would fail in the garden. God had a plan long before mankind was created. The story of Job fits into that plan, it teaches an eternal lesson. To disannul God’s judgment is to question God’s overall plan for each and every individual.
God continues along this line of reasoning in Job 40:11-13.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. 12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. 13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
God is asking Job to forget about his condition for a moment. If Job can do that, God asks Job can you deal with the proud and wicked. Job knows the answer to that question, he has lived it. Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar and Elihu were proud and spoke wickedly of God. Job could not ultimately deal with them. Job could defeat their arguments to the point that Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar would stop and listen to him; however, they would not be convinced. As for, Elihu, he was so far gone, Job did not even attempt to reason with him. Not because Job was wrong, but because Elihu was so strong willed. Elihu was proud of himself. Job could not bring low the wicked as God will in the future.
Speaking of the future, Isaiah stated in Isaiah 45:23.
23I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear
God asked Job, can you bring them to their knees and have them repent of their sin? Of course Job could not, none of us can do that. If we could, then Job 40:14 would apply.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
God stated in the end he will, Philippians 2:9-11
9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Yeshua every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Yeshua Messiah is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
For Job and all of us, when God places an individual in a position to serve His will, we should willingly participate. We cannot know what part we play in the overall plan of God. Job did not know this nor do many today. We must be willing servants is all aspects of our lives.
This brings up another issue, Paul describes it in 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
24And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Job never responded to Elihu, for what reason may not be clear. Although Elihu is given high praise by many, Elihu was a fool. Solomon stated in Proverbs 26:4-5
4Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him. 5Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.
This may be why Job was silent and why Elihu’s name is not mentioned after Job 37. God’s line of reasoning with Elihu is reflective of Elihu the fool. So one must conclude that either Job wearied or came to his senses. Job realized that arguing with Elihu would be of no value.
Where Job may have failed with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar is explained by Paul. Job did not leave it to God. Job should not have not striven with them. Job should have waited for God to give them repentance, that they would acknowledge the truth. Then his friends could be delivered from the trap of Satan.
Job, like all, needed new birth. All need it because of Hebrews 9:14.
14How much more shall the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
To argue with Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar was at times dead works. It was doubtful that they would change based on any statement from Job or any other individual. They were too proud. One does benefit from Job’s wisdom; however, arguing with the likes of Job’s friends will only make one weary.
One should never strive to prove a point. They need to allow God to have His way. When one does that, life becomes much easier for them and those around them.
What follows until the end of Job 41, God is dealing with the final issue, Job 40:15.
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
Throughout time many have believed that God is referring to some large animal. However, why would God refer to an animal? One needs to open their minds to the possibility that it is referring to something else.
Psalm 106:20.
20Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass.
This is referring to what the Children of Israel did in the wilderness. Even this is not referring to just an animal, Psalm 106:19-21.
19They made a calf in Horeb, and worshipped the molten image. 20Thus they changed their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass. 21They forgat God their saviour, which had done great things in Egypt;
It is referring to a false God. Or, something that would challenge God as the supreme being. What is interesting is that this is somewhat similar to what Daniel records in relation to Nebuchadnezzar’s dream. Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 4:20-22.
20The tree that thou sawest, which grew, and was strong, whose height reached unto the heaven, and the sight thereof to all the earth; 21Whose leaves were fair, and the fruit thereof much, and in it was meat for all; under which the beasts of the field dwelt, and upon whose branches the fowls of the heaven had their habitation: 22It is thou, O king, that art grown and become strong: for thy greatness is grown, and reacheth unto heaven, and thy dominion to the end of the earth.
Nebuchadnezzar had grown very strong and had encompassed the entire known earth. But did Nebuchadnezzar grow strong for God or for himself? This is an important question not only for Nebuchadnezzar, but for all of us. Who do we ultimately serve? Daniel 4:23.
23And whereas the king saw a watcher and an holy one coming down from heaven, and saying, Hew the tree down, and destroy it; yet leave the stump of the roots thereof in the earth, even with a band of iron and brass, in the tender grass of the field; and let it be wet with the dew of heaven, and let his portion be with the beasts of the field, till seven times pass over him;
It was as if the tree had become great for its own benefit. The tree was eventually cut down by God, Daniel 4:24-25.
24This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the most High, which is come upon my lord the king: 25That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will.
Daniel tells Nebuchadnezzar that he will eat grass as oxen. All because Nebuchadnezzar thought he had done it all on his own. Even after being warned through the dream, Nebuchadnezzar declares in Daniel 4:30.
30The king spake, and said, Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?
All that was in the dream came upon Nebuchadnezzar. This all happened because he had exalted himself above God. There was another who did the same, Isaiah 14:12-14.
12How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! 13For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: 14I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.
Lucifer too thought he could be higher than God. Like Nebuchadnezzar, he too will be brought low, Isaiah 14:15.
15Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell (sheol), to the sides of the pit.
Consider the possibility that the behemoth in Job 40 symbolically represents Satan. As God continues speaking, there are a few more things He will state that should cement this understanding, Job 40:16.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
To speak of the navel of the belly is referring to the strength of oneself. The strength is in the beast himself as opposed to the spirit of God. This thought is continued in Job 40:17-18.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. 18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
The beast is of tremendous strength.
Job 40:19
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
This is a direct reference to what Lucifer, Satan, formerly did Ezekiel 28:14.
14Thou art the anointed cherub that covereth; and I have set thee so: thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire.
Satan was the chief protector of God’s way. That was until he thought he could be as exalted as God. Further, God speaks of Satan in Job 40:19, only God’s sword can defeat Satan. We have to realize that without God, mankind is powerless against Satan. That is why it is important to walk with God and have the hedge of protection as Job formerly did and will in the future.
Job 40:20-24
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. 21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. 22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. 23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. 24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
The mountains refer to the nations that Satan feeds off of. In the passage above, Satan is at rest with no fear of his present life being disrupted. For Satan this is a false sense of security. Satan’s days are numbered as they have always been.
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