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Job 40

24 verses

TL;DR

God challenges Job's pride, revealing His sovereign power through the magnificent Behemoth.

Summary

God responds to Job’s questions with a thunderous reply from the whirlwind, emphasizing His supreme authority and the futility of human challenge. Job, humbled, acknowledges his insignificance and ceases to argue. God then demands Job’s readiness to engage, reminding him of the limits of human judgment and the divine right to enact justice. The Lord describes the might of Behemoth—an enormous, grass‑eating creature whose strength resides in its loins and tail, whose bones are as solid as iron, and whose presence dominates the mountains and rivers. This vivid depiction underscores the grandeur of God’s creation and the impossibility of matching divine power. Through the image of Behemoth, the chapter illustrates the theme of divine sovereignty, human humility, and the awe of creation.

Outline
  1. God’s thunderous challenge and Job’s humbled reply
  2. God’s command and reminder of human limitation
  3. Description of Behemoth as an exemplar of divine power
Themes
Divine sovereigntyHuman humilityThe mystery of creation
Keywords
GodJobBehemothstrengthloinswrathmajestyrivermountains
People
GodJob
Places
Mountainsriver Jordanreedbrook
Things
Behemothwhirlwindloinsstrengthmajestywrath
Key Verses
  • Job 40:6: God’s thunderous voice and command to Job.
  • Job 40:15-16: Illustration of Behemoth’s immense power.
  • Job 40:18: Contrast of Behemoth’s bone strength with human limits.
  • Job 40:23-24: Connection of Behemoth with natural elements like the river.
Questions
  • How does Job’s humility in this chapter affect his relationship with God?
  • What does the description of Behemoth reveal about God’s view of creation?
  • In what ways does the imagery of the whirlwind and Behemoth illustrate the theme of divine sovereignty?
  • How does the portrayal of natural elements reinforce the majesty of God’s creation?
  • What lessons about human limitation and divine justice can be drawn from this chapter?
Sentiment

neutral
The chapter presents God’s power and creation with awe, while Job’s response reflects humility; overall tone is reverential and balanced.