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Job 39

30 verses

TL;DR

Job 39 depicts God's sovereignty over the wild, from goats and hinds to the horse, hawk, and eagle, illustrating the power and majesty of creation and the humility of humans before it.

Summary

In this chapter, God addresses Job by posing a series of questions about the natural world, highlighting the order and purpose in creation. First, He describes the wild goat and the hinds, emphasizing their timing and independence. He then turns to the wild ass and the horse, illustrating their freedom, strength, and the fearlessness they inspire in those who confront them. Finally, the focus shifts to the eagle and the hawk, birds that soar high, command the skies, and exemplify divine oversight. Throughout, the passage underscores the vast scope of God's power, the intricate design of each creature, and the resulting reverence that humans should feel.

Outline
  1. The wild goat, hinds, and their natural cycles.
  2. The wild ass, horse, and the awe they inspire.
  3. The hawk and eagle, symbols of divine dominion in the skies.
Themes
God's sovereignty over creationThe power and purpose of natureHuman humility before divine majesty
Keywords
wild goatshindswild assunicornhorsehawkeagleGodcreationpower
People
GodJobthe driver
Places
the rockthe wildernessthe barren landthe citythe mountainsthe valleythe earth
Things
wild goatshindswild assunicornpeacocksostrichhorsehawkeaglebandfurrowbarnspearshieldtrumpets
Key Verses
  • Job 39:1: Introduces the rhetorical questioning style and sets the theme of divine observation of wild animals.
  • Job 39:20: Highlights the horse’s strength and the human fear it inspires, illustrating God’s power over mighty creatures.
  • Job 39:28: Shows the eagle’s dominion over the sky, symbolizing God’s authority in all realms.
Questions
  • What does the repeated use of questions reveal about God’s teaching method to Job?
  • How does the description of each animal serve to emphasize God's control over creation?
  • In what ways do the characteristics of the horse and the eagle reflect human perceptions of strength and freedom?
  • How does the imagery of the wilderness and the barren land contribute to the overall message of divine sovereignty?
Sentiment

positive
The passage praises God's creative power and highlights the awe that humans should feel.