After Job challenges God a bit earlier, God responds in Job 38-41.
Where were you [Job] when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. (Job 38:4) God continues through chapter 38 and into chapter 41.
Can you catch Leviathan with a hook Job? (v.1). A Leviathan was some sort of sea monster – possibly surviving from the days of dinosaurs in the depths of the sea. Although we aren’t sure what it really looked like, God is challenging Job to catch one, reminding him that God created everything including the Leviathan – and He’s bigger than a sea monster.
God asks Job – will you put a noose around it or will it beg for mercy or work for you? Will you make a Leviathan into a pet or give it to your kids to play with? Will you sell it to the merchants? Can you hurt it’s hide with a spear or harpoon? No – you can’t Job and I’m way bigger than that!
You can’t manhandle its huge limbs or overpower its enormous strength. You can’t penetrate is double layer of armor (like the back of a dragon). Its scales are like rows of shields – they interlock and can’t be penetrated. You can’t pry its alligator jaws open and its teeth are terrible. When it sneezes, it blows fire like a dragon and smoke streams from its nostrils. No sword, spear, dart, or javelin can stop it (v.26).
Nothing on earth is its equal – it’s the king of the beasts (v.34) and God says and I made that. I’m way bigger and much more powerful than the Leviathan and you’re challenging me Job?
God is calling Job out. How often do we do the same thing? Think of ourselves as in control of our lives? We aren’t – God is. Psalm 100 reminds us of who God is and who we are – meditate on it today.
Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; Come before Him with joyful singing. Know that the Lord Himself is God; It is He who has made us, not we ourselves; We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name. For the Lord is good; His lovingkindness is everlasting and His faithfulness to all generations.
By: Tim Parsons — Lead Pastor
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