Sunday Morning Service (Job 40:6-Job 42)

Job 40:6-Job 42

“The End Of Job” •  5.30.21  •  Calvary Christian Fellowship, Sunday Morning Service

Intro.

- Entering into verse six of chapter 40 has already put our minds on "red alert." God has just pummeled Job with a series of unanswerable questions, all of which expose His wisdom.

- When Job resigned himself to silence, but fell short of actual repentance, God knew that Job needed the rest of the exam, this time, with the focus upon His power. Verse 6.

Text

• Job 40:6-14 : " Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: 'Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me: Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified? Have you an arm like God? Or can you thunder with a voice like His? Then adorn yourself with majesty and splendor, and array yourself with glory and beauty. Disperse the rage of your wrath; Look on everyone who is proud, and humble him. Look on everyone who is proud, and bring him low; Tread down the wicked in their place. Hide them in the dust together, bind their faces in hidden darkness. Then I will also confess to you that your own right hand can save you." : God wants to know if Job really thinks he can criticize or condemn God in order to present himself as righteous! "Would you lower Me to your level in order that you can be exalted above Me?"

- God will not be judged by men! He is in an altogether separate category from man! Is Job able to act like Him? What can Job's arm do? Is His voice like the thunder? Is he dressed like God?

- Can Job act like Him!? When God allows His wrath to flow, the proud are brought to their knees. All of the wicked are tread down where they stand.

- When Job can reproduce that action, then God will admit that Job's right hand can save him! But be assured: God will never confess that over ANY man!

- Job has no power over wicked men, nor has he been able to save himself! He is powerless in God's world and that is good for us to realize. God will further illustrate in verse 15.

• Job 40:15-19: "Look now at the behemoth, which I made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. See now, his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles. He moves his tail like a cedar; The sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.  His bones are like beams of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron. He is the first of the ways of God; Only He who made him can bring near His sword." : Up

to this point, God has referred to 12 different animals, each speaking of His wisdom.

- When He wants to speak of His power, God need only refers to two, beginning with "Behemoth." The scholars are sharply divided over the identity of this animal.

- According to one commentator, the language indicates that it is the "beast of beasts!" Whether it is a hippo, a brontasaurus or an some other extinct animal, this isn't the point.

- Do I believe that dinosaurs roamed the Earth with men? Absolutely. There is plenty of archeological and anthropological evidence to support that. The point is that this animal is powerful!

- Consider what God says carefully. Job could "look upon" the Behemoth. This is an actual beast that God had made along with Job. In the creation, they are both created on the same day!

- Behemoth is a herbivore with power in it's hips and stomach. He has a long and strong tail. His tendons are woven tightly, his bones and ribs are unbreakable.

- God is proud of Behemoth's construction. He represents a "crown jewel" of the ways of God and only He, as it's Master, is a threat to it's existence! Verse 20

• Job 40:20-24: "Surely the mountains yield food for him, and all the beasts of the field play there.  He lies under the lotus trees, in a covert of reeds and marsh. The lotus trees cover him with their shade; The willows by the brook surround him. Indeed the river may rage, yet he is not disturbed; He is confident, though the Jordan gushes into his mouth, though he takes it in his eyes, or one pierces his nose with a snare." : Behemoth enjoys the higher elevations and loves to play around with those of his own kind. His life is idyllic, living under the shade of trees and by the flowing brooks.

- The images are incredibly peaceful, the scenery, serene. Then the Lord introduces this picture of chaos. Notice the circumstance. The river is raging! This word is widely translated.

- The older translations speak of the river "overflowing" (ASV) or "oppressing." (YLT) The RSV and ESV use the word "turbulent." These are common occurrences, especially with the Jordan river.

- Today, the Jordan river is hardly comparable to it's former, Biblical self. This river was virtually impassable during the springtime. Humans see this overflow as an impassable quandry.

- Behemoth though, is undisturbed. Behemoth is "secure" (NET) and hardly moved by the event. This animal lives out it's existence in perfect peace.

- He is not threatened by drowning, or bothered by getting hit in the eye or worried about being snared by a hunter. None of these things move him! He stands there completely at ease.

- What does that tell you Job? Behemoth doesn't know God like Job does, but it's demeanor is far more calm than Job's! Does Job not possess greater understanding of his own Creator?

- When the river rises in our lives, is there not a reason for and a source of peace? Chapter 41.

• Job 41:1-11 : "Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you? Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever? Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you leash him for your maidens? Will your companions make a banquet of him? Will they apportion him among the merchants? Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? Lay your hand on him; Remember the battle—Never do it again! Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; Shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him? No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine." : Behemoth represents the greatest beast of the land. What it is to the land, Leviathan is to the sea! Once again, Leviathan's identity is a mystery. Is it an aligator or crocodile?

- Some hold it to be a "sea serpent." One commentator shared several stories from the logs of Sea Captains regarding notable conflicts with large, menacing sea serpent creatures.

- Still others regard Leviathan as a fire breathing dragon, the sort that is found in nearly every culture's cave drawings! We'll let it suffice that this is a creature that God made.

- His name is interesting, as it is related to being "wreathed, twisted in folds." If it is indeed a fire breathing dragon, we have much to discuss. For now, let's make note of God's point.

- Leviathan cannot be hunted! He will not be reasoned with. If he grabs ahold of you, you won't be able to bargain with him or beg for your life! He's nobody's pet or showpiece.

- You'll never go to a banquet where he is the main course! You don't have enough equipment to take him down! Your first battle with him will genuinely be your last!

- If your dream is to overtake Leviathan, you are certainly fooling yourself! Even the sight of him was too much to consider! Only a fool would rouse this fierce beast. The implication is clear.

- "If Leviathan, one of my creations, is so fierce and invokes so much fear, who would dare come against Me, it's Maker!!" That "thud" you are hearing is Job's gulp!

- Who has given anything to God that He would need to pay back? He owns everything that there is! He does with it what He wants and none can argue that fact! Verse 12.

• Job 41:12-17 : "I will not conceal his limbs, his mighty power, or his graceful proportions. Who can remove his outer coat? Who can approach him with a double bridle? Who can open the doors of his face, with his terrible teeth all around? His rows of scales are his pride, shut up tightly as with a seal; One is so near another that no air can come between them; They are joined one to another, they stick together and cannot be parted." : God that revels in His own genius! "I have to tell you about Leviathan's limbs! I really outdid myself there!"

- Whatever God is speaking of is wonderfully symmetrical, a perfect balance of power and grace. His outer coat, the face of his garment, cannot be discovered.

- In other words, if you wanted to remove this protective outer layer, you wouldn't stand a chance at even finding where to begin! Even more, you couldn't hope to penetrate his double armor!

- The "doors of his face" are nothing less than the fearsome teeth of it's mouth! His scales are airtight, interlocking joints that form a single mechanism over his body. God continues in verse 18.

• Job 41:18-21 : "His sneezings flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lights; Sparks of fire shoot out. Smoke goes out of his nostrils, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth." : There really isn't a way out of this. God tells us that this creature sneezes out light! What does that mean?

- While we aren't sure of that, it's eyes look the sun and his mouth brings out fire. The heat that emanates from him feels like a boiling pot or a wildfire.

- Whatever kind of creature this is, I'm glad that I've never encountered him! He is a deadly and fierce piece of machinery! Verse 22.

• Job 41:22-34 : "Strength dwells in his neck, and sorrow dances before him. The folds of his flesh are joined together; They are firm on him and cannot be moved. His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone. When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of his crashings they are beside themselves. Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; Nor does spear, dart, or javelin. He regards iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. The arrow cannot make him flee; Slingstones become like stubble to him. Darts are regarded as straw; He laughs at the threat of javelins. His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire. He makes the deep boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. He leaves a shining wake behind him; One would think the deep had white hair. On earth there is nothing like him, which is made without fear. He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride.'" : This animal is mighty and the only response that he gets is terror! He is an inpenetrable nightmare with a fearless disposition that causes even the mightiest to fail!

- Those that oppose him fight with all of their might, using all of their weaponry against him, but it is futile. There isn't a man made weapon that has a chance against Him.

- Whatever you throw at him seems mighty to you, but it's foolishness to him! Iron is like straw, bronze is the same as a piece of rotting wood. Nothing touches him and nothing makes him withdraw!

- You can't threaten him with arrows, slingstones or darts. Javelins are his play toys! When Leviathan moves away, he leaves a notable frothy wake behind him.

- God's decree is that there is nothing on Earth like him! He has no fear! I like the NLT's translation here: "Nothing on earth is its equal, no other creature so fearless."

- He is the most proud and is the ruler over all of the children of pride. There are two elements here that may be equally true. One, he may represent all of the proud on Earth.

- If there is a symbol that captures the proud, it is Leviathan. "Nothing can touch me!" The secondary interpretations may also be that proud men are brought under Leviathan's sway!

- That leads us to a little bit deeper consideration of this creature. There are some who consider Leviathan to be an actual creature that also represents Satan!

- As you go back over God's description, can you not acknowledge statements that could apply to our enemy? Fear and sorrow are his calling cards. He's impervious to human ingenuity.

- You cannot reason with him and whenever he shows up, there is a definite destructive signature left in his wake! As Job considers all of these realities, he knows his own limitations.

- He is powerless against the physical beast, as well as the twisted serpent that he knows God had defeated according to Job 26:13. Isaiah prophecies of Leviathan's final demise in his book.

• Isaiah 27:1 : "In that day the Lord with His severe sword, great and strong, will punish Leviathan the fleeing serpent, Leviathan that twisted serpent; And He will slay the reptile that is in the sea." : What "day" is Isaiah referring to? The day when He ushers in His Earthly Kingdom! Who does God defeat in Revelation? The Great Dragon!

- Many believe that God never answered Job's queries, but I believe that this might have sufficed! Job, Satan has been after you and you are powerless against him!

- "If he had been unleashed, you would not have been able to stand, but because I was with you, My power kept him from his purpose!" I admit that I may be alone in this interpretation.

- I only offer it as a valid explanation based upon what we see in chapter 42.

• Job 42:1-6 : "Then Job answered the Lord and said: 'I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." : Job is convinced of what every person eventually comes to know. God's wisdom and power are sufficient!

- Everything that He intends to do, will be done! Nobody has the power to keep what He wants from happening!

- God had asked a question, one that immediately silenced Elihu, but that also pricked Job's conscience as well: "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge!?"

- Job realizes now that this is the explanation. He spoke of things that were far beyond his pay grade! He's spoken of things beyond his comprehension. Job sees this clearly, albeit a little too late.

- Job is not saying that he didn't know the Lord or have a relationship with Him before this. What he is saying is that compared to what He has now, what he had before was nothing!

- We have watched him wish to speak to God for the better part of this book. Now, when he has the chance, his only request to speak is tied to his desire to repent!

- Having had the experience of hearing Him and seeing Him, Job is left with one conclusion: I abhor myself! The word speaks of "despising" or "rejecting."

- He hates everything that he has said against God and has changed his mind, his thinking about Him. This is no longer just regret, but repentance. There is a difference.

- Regret is based upon actions that were taken. Repentance deals with the root related to why the actions were taken! Regret is temporary. Repentance is permanent!

- This is where God has been leading Job all along. Job sits in dust and ashes physically to show what his heart was toward God mentally! He has fully surrendered himself to God! Verse 7.

• Job 42:7-9 : "And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, 'My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.' So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the Lord commanded them; for the Lord had accepted Job." : God has produced the desired affect in Job. It's at this point that he turns to Job's oldest friend.

- Eliphaz has been watching and surprisingly, hasn't run for the hills! I can imagine him standing there believing that God was finally going to deal with Job.

- When that didn't happen, he had to have a bad feeling and indeed, not once but twice God tells him his fault! Elihu's wrath had been kindled earlier, but it was nothing like God's wrath!

- God singles out Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar and directly shares His divine verdict: "You have not spoken of Me what is established." The word speaks of a momument that stands firm.

- God demands that if you speak for Him, BE SURE that you are speaking what is confirmed ABOUT HIM! They had not and He tells them twice in case they missed it badly!

- How are they to appease His wrath? They are to offer a burnt offering! Yes friends, before the law of Moses, God's people practiced these offerings of consecration.

- They were to offer their bulls and rams, Job was to pray for them and God would accept them on Job's behalf! In case you missed it, God calls Job "My servant" a total of four times!

- There is no doubt here as to who knew and belonged to the Most High! These men had sought to convince Job that he wasn't even a God Fearer! God sets the record straight!

- The good news here is that they actually responded to God! They listened and Job did for them what they didn't do once for Him: He acted as their priest and prayed for them!

- God gave them a basis to return to a relationship, based upon sacrifice and His acceptance of His servant Job's sacrifice and prayer! Verse 10.

• Job 42:10-11 : "And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then all his brothers, all his sisters, and all those who had been his acquaintances before, came to him and ate food with him in his house; and they consoled him and comforted him for all the adversity that the Lord had brought upon him. Each one gave him a piece of silver and each a ring of gold." : As we come to these final verses of Job, we have slipped into the final section of this magnificent book.

- Chapters 1-3 serve as "The Prologue." Chapters 4-42:9 serve as "The Dialogue." Chapter 42:10-17 is "The Epilogue." As you look back upon this final section, I'd have you note the structure.

- Behemoth is an illustration to Job. He can trust God in the midst of the rising tide. Leviathan is an explanation to Job. Satan has stood against him, but God has kept him for His purpose.

- What is left, but restoration! After Job's business with his friends was complete, God began a new work in Job's life. The Lord "restored" Job's losses. It reads "God turned the captivity of Job."

- It was used to speak of the return of prisoners from regional conflict. It's a figure of speech here relating to the return of prosperity.

- Two interesting elements are involved here, in that God mentions both "when" and "how much" was involved. God restored his losses WHEN he prayed for his friends.

- This is not to say that God was waiting for Job to forgive them or that he was testing Job to see if he would. It's just that this happened after that was concluded.

- What did it take for Job to pray for his friends? They had hurt him. They had maligned his character. They had taken advantage of his calamity. God told him to pray and Job did!

- When his material wealth returned, he found that he had two times as much as he had had before his trial. We're foolish if we think that this was something that God was obliged to give.

- We're even more foolish if we believe that this was what Job had earned. This was simply what God gave him. From there, the floodgates re-opened.

- Brothers, sisters and friends all made their way back into Job's life. He opened his home to them and they were the true comforters that he had been seeking. Please take note of that.

- Even after God had restored Job's fortunes and family, there was still grief that he needed to work through! His family was released at that time to be that blessing to him.

- Each of them brought Job a little something from their own lives to mark their love for him. It is all lovely to see. God gives us a bit more detail in verse 12.

• Job 42:12-15 : "Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. And he called the name of the first Jemimah, the name of the second Keziah, and the name of the third Keren-Happuch. In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers." : All of what we have seen to this point, God's restoration of finances, family and friends, were all expressions of God's blessing!

- His latter days were more blessed than his beginning! Materially, this was true. Look at that countdown and compare it Job 1:3. God has blessed Job abundantly.

- Job's wife even made it through! Remember, we remarked that it was best not to judge her on her worst day. Here she is and the Lord even opened her womb another 10 times!

- Job had 10 children in heaven and at the end of his trial, 10 more on the Earth!

- Job's wife had seven sons whose names are not given to us, nor are they described. Her three daughters however, are named and described as the most beautiful in all the land!

- His first daughter was named "Jemimah" which may be closely related to the word "dove."

- The word is used of one who is affectionate. The second is names "Keziah." This name is reflective of the spice known to us as "Cassia" which has a cinnamon type profile.

- Job's third daughter is Keren-Happuch, which is literally rendered "Horn of antimony!"

- Scholars believe that this refers to cosmetics. Whatever any of these names signify, we can see that their Father treated them quite well, as he gave them an inheritance among their brothers.

- When you read the Old Testament, you'll realize just how rare such a thing was! Verse 16.

• Job 42:16,17 : "After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days." : However long Job had lived to this point, he lived one hundred and forty years more. As with his wealth, so with his days! Tradition holds that Job lived to be 210 years old.

- His trial may have occurred in his 70's, if that is true. The number of days isn't important. It's the quality of that life!

- What he saw in his early days could not have compared with the joy he had in his latter days. He saw children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great grandchildren!

- In the end, Job died a peaceful man, far removed from the troubles that he had seen, old and full of days, an expression of passing in a state of complete satisfaction!

Conclusion
- As we close the book of Job, may we understand that our God is wise enough to order our lives and powerful enough to affect His purposes, from beginning to end.

- Our enemy is relentless, fearsome, powerful and destructive. He has no ability to touch us unless our God deems it necessary for His glory and our character.

- We can trust Him when the waters rise, just like Behemoth, and we can bless those that trouble us. Why?

- Because One that God accepts has made a sacrifice on our behalf! God wrath was kindled against our sin and rebellion and Jesus offered Himself in our place!

- He is the High Priest who has offered Himself once for the sins of His people! He forever stands as the One who prays for His people and sees to it that God overlooks their folly!

- This is our God and these are His ways! May that be our lasting memory of this mighty book!