Job Chapter 41
Please read: Job 41 –
As with Behemoth in the previous chapter, Leviathan in this chapter is not clearly understood by Bible scholars. Some believe this to be a description of a great crocodile while others believe it to be a dinosaur type creature like a dragon, and still others believe it to be a form of satan himself. But God does seem to be describing a literal creature that Job would have been familiar with.
The point of the chapter is much more than the description of a fierce creature. God is wanting to point out to Job that man cannot control the fiercest of God’s creation, but He can, because He is God. God is in control of all of His creation. Job had made a challenge to God and now God challenges Job to put his might up against the power and majesty of the God who created it all.
Let's Reflect
1. Where does the Leviathan live?
2. God asks Job the question that if he were somehow able to capture the creature what he would do with it. He certainly could not make a pet out of it. God points out the ridiculous idea that a man might think himself strong enough that he could capture such a creature. What does God tell him will happen to him if he tries to tangle with the creature? See verse 8.
3. Verse 10 is the key wisdom that God is making in this description of the power of the Leviathan. What is that wisdom?
4. Verse 11 also is a pointed question that should cause not only Job to stop and think, but anyone who reads this verse. God is asking who has given God a gift first that He needs to return the favor. And what did God respond to that question? This wisdom is congruent with the truth found in the New Testament that tells us that our good works cannot redeem us. It is only through faith in the redemptive work of Jesus on the cross that we can be ransomed from our sins.
Titus 3:4-7 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
5. God continued to make His point by describing the strength and might of the great Leviathan. In verses 19-21 we find the reason why some believe this creature to be a dragon. What does God say comes out from this creature’s mouth?
6. In verses 25 and 34 we find the description that causes many to believe that this was a large dinosaur type creature. What happens when the creature comes up out of the water?
7. God make it a point that men are very afraid of this creature and that their weapons are useless against him. Why do you think God chose to describe the fiercest creature to Job at this point? Was He just trying to scare Job into submission?
