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Job 40

World English Bible

WEB

1Moreover Yahweh answered Job, 2“Shall he who argues contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” 3Then Job answered Yahweh, 4“Behold, I am of small account. What will I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth. 5I have spoken once, and I will not answer; Yes, twice, but I will proceed no further.” 6Then Yahweh answered Job out of the whirlwind: 7“Now brace yourself like a man. I will question you, and you will answer me. 8Will you even annul my judgment? Will you condemn me, that you may be justified? 9Or do you have an arm like God? Can you thunder with a voice like him? 10“Now deck yourself with excellency and dignity. Array yourself with honor and majesty. 11Pour out the fury of your anger. Look at everyone who is proud, and bring him low. 12Look at everyone who is proud, and humble him. Crush the wicked in their place. 13Hide them in the dust together. Bind their faces in the hidden place. 14Then I will also admit to you that your own right hand can save you. 15“See now behemoth, which I made as well as you. He eats grass as an ox. 16Look now, his strength is in his thighs. His force is in the muscles of his belly. 17He moves his tail like a cedar. The sinews of his thighs are knit together. 18His bones are like tubes of bronze. His limbs are like bars of iron. 19He is the chief of the ways of God. He who made him gives him his sword. 20Surely the mountains produce food for him, where all the animals of the field play. 21He lies under the lotus trees, in the covert of the reed, and the marsh. 22The lotuses cover him with their shade. The willows of the brook surround him. 23Behold, if a river overflows, he doesn’t tremble. He is confident, though the Jordan swells even to his mouth. 24Shall any take him when he is on the watch, or pierce through his nose with a snare?

World English Bible, 2020 stable text edition. Public domain; “World English Bible” is a trademark of eBible.org. eBible.org

Overview

Job Chapter 40 presents a powerful moment in the dialogue between God and Job. After Job has expressed his anguish and questioned God about his suffering, the Lord responds from a whirlwind, challenging Job to prepare himself for a divine encounter. God asks Job, "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty?" (Job 40:2), emphasizing the vast difference between God's wisdom and human understanding. This rhetorical question serves to remind Job of his limited perspective and the greatness of God's creation and authority. The chapter highlights the theme of humility before God, as Job is called to recognize his place in the grand design of the universe. #Job #Suffering #DivineWisdom

In the latter part of the chapter, God introduces the creature known as Behemoth, a magnificent being that symbolizes God's creative power. Described as a creature that eats grass like an ox and has immense strength, Behemoth serves as a reminder of the wonders of God's creation that are beyond human control or comprehension (Job 40:15-24). God challenges Job to consider whether he can tame or control such a creature, further illustrating the theme of God's sovereignty over all creation. This chapter ultimately calls believers to trust in God's wisdom and power, even when circumstances seem overwhelming, reinforcing the message that God is in control and His ways are higher than ours. #Behemoth #Sovereignty #TrustInGod

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Referenced by

  1. Jonah 4:9v2Jonah 4:9 shows Jonah questioning God's actions, similar to God's challenge to Job in Job 40:2, where God questions Job's understanding and right to contend with the Almighty.

Topics in this chapter

Related chapters

  • Psalms 104God's WisdomCreatorMajesty of God
  • Job 38TheodicyHuman LimitationHuman Limitations
  • Job 41Human LimitationHuman LimitationsGod's Wisdom
  • Isaiah 55God's WisdomDivine WisdomDivine Authority
  • Job 37AlmightyHuman LimitationGod's Wisdom
  • Job 36ShaddaiAlmightyGod's Wisdom
  • Romans 11God's Wisdom
  • Job 42Sovereignty of GodJobOmnipotence
  • Job 11ShaddaiAlmightyHuman Limitation
  • Job 39Divine CreationHuman LimitationsCreator
  • Job 9Human LimitationJobOmnipotence
  • Genesis 1Creator

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