The Lord said to Job:
“Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!”
Then Job answered the Lord:
“I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.
I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more.”
Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:
“Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.
“Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?
Do you have an arm like God’s,
and can your voice thunder like his?
Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.
Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at all who are proud and bring them low,
look at all who are proud and humble them,
crush the wicked where they stand.
Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.
Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you.
“Look at Behemoth,
which I made along with you
and which feeds on grass like an ox.
What strength it has in its loins,
what power in the muscles of its belly!
Its tail sways like a cedar;
the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.
Its bones are tubes of bronze,
its limbs like rods of iron.
It ranks first among the works of God,
yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.
The hills bring it their produce,
and all the wild animals play nearby.
Under the lotus plants it lies,
hidden among the reeds in the marsh.
The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;
the poplars by the stream surround it.
A raging river does not alarm it;
it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.
Can anyone capture it by the eyes,
or trap it and pierce its nose?
- Job 40:1-24
Job 40:14-24 ”behemoth. While this is a generic term used commonly in the OT for large cattle or land animals, the description in this passage suggests an extraordinary creature. The hippopotamus has been suggested by the details in the passage (vv. 19-24). However, the short tail of a hippo is hardly consistent with v. 17, where tail could be translated ‘trunk.’ It could refer to an elephant, who could be considered ‘first’ or chief of God’s creatures whom only He can control (v. 19). Some believe God is describing His most impressive creation of land animals, the dinosaur species, which fit all the characteristics.”
- John MacArthur, John MacArthur Commentary (quoted Scripture without bold/italics)
The Message
The next chapter that speaks of God’s response to all that has been discussed by Job and the “friends” is Job 40.
God had explained how He had created all things and was sovereign over all things. He knew the answers to all the questions He had asked Job, but God wanted Job to admit that God was superior to him. While God had the universe in control, he was also in control of Job’s situation.
Job humbles himself. He realizes that he had overstepped when he wanted God to answer why he was suffering. He has no answer to God’s questions. He will put his hand over his mouth and not respond.
But God does not accept that. He demands that Job brace himself like a man, and Job will answer.
God explains that in discrediting God’s justice, we condemn God for our own gain.
So, God tells Job that if Job’s power is equal, He should adorn himself in glory and with Job’s wrath bring the proud low and crush the ground underneath the wicked. If Job is so much like God, he should bury them in the dust.
But consider Behemoth.
The quote from Rev. MacArthur rejects earthly creatures of our time for one reason or another. But the dinosaur, a herbivore, would meet the description. It was the first of the land animal creations, and God could subdue it with His mighty sword.
But man is helpless in trying to subdue the Behemoth.
And now let us sing.
The following song is Creator. This is sung by Phil Wickham.
Closing Prayer
Dear Lord,
We need Your wisdom. Lord, You are God, and we are not. All glory, honor, and praise are due You and You alone. In thy Name we pray.
Amen
Soli Deo Gloria. Only to God be the Glory.
Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley 
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