Job 40:6-42:17
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We finish up the book of Job today! In our Job readings today, one very interesting thing that I really want to now study further is what exactly was the "behemoth” in Job Chapter 40 and what was the "leviathan” in Job Chapter 41? Were these dinosaurs?? I ask this very openly, in that I don’t know. Currently my thinking is lined up with the New Living Translation saying that the behemoth is a hippopotamus and that the leviathan is a crocodile – and obviously you can view my blog entry below to see I have images up of a hippo and croc. But. . . last year some of you posted up some good questions and points on the behemoth and leviathan’s being something else. . . perhaps even dinosaurs? I know we have some Biblical scholars and many pastors out there reading this. What say you? Please post up your thoughts on what the behemoth and leviathan are in the Comments section below. Thanks! A few website links about the potential of dinosaurs being mentioned in the Bible are at this link, this link, and this link. Below is artwork titled "Behemoth and Leviathan" by William Blake from the year 1825:
In our Job readings today, God talks all about Intelligent Design. :) Seriously, when I read today's chapters in Job 40 about the hippopotamus and 41 about the crocodile, I could not help but praise God for indeed being the Almighty Intelligent Designer! Great stuff. You cannot argue with Job chapter 40 verses 15 through 18 where God says to Job - ""Take a look at the mighty hippopotamus. I made it, just as I made you. It eats grass like an ox. See its powerful loins and the muscles of its belly. Its tail is as straight as a cedar. The sinews of its thighs are tightly knit together. Its bones are tubes of bronze. Its limbs are bars of iron. It is a prime example of God's amazing handiwork." Amen. Thank you hippopotamus for reminding us today that God intelligently designed you too!
And we can't forget about your intelligent and powerful design either Mr. Crocodile! :) God's words about you in Job 41 verses 31 through 34 - ""The crocodile makes the water boil with its commotion. It churns the depths. The water glistens in its wake. One would think the sea had turned white. There is nothing else so fearless anywhere on earth. Of all the creatures, it is the proudest. It is the king of beasts." I thought the mighty Lion was the king of the beasts?? I guess not. The title goes to you Mr. and Mrs. Crocodiles!
Today in Job chapter 42 verses 1-2 we read – “Then Job replied to the Lord: ‘I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.’” These verses comes just after God speaks his mind to Job for the preceding 4 chapters. Job replies quite humbly and wisely in this verse above. This week as you read through God’s words to Job in chapters 38 through 41, please some time to meditate upon who God is and how great God is. Ask yourself, do you truly know that God can do all things? Do you know that no plan of God’s can be thwarted? In light of this knowledge, how then should you live your life? Will you align your entire life with God’s plans and purposes? Will you consciously choose each and every day to live your life in accordance with God’s will? Will you live in accordance with the will of the Creator of the universe and the very Creator of you? Or will you rebel against your Creator in some areas of your life? Will you dare to hold something back from God? Why? Why not let the rebellion toward God depart from your life? Why would you not live a fully holy and pleasing life for God?
Worship Video: Today's readings reminded me of Christy Nockels' song "Hosanna:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfeN__usTzs
Are you praising "Hosanna?" Click here and praise Hosanna in the Highest!
Please join us in memorizing and meditating on a verse of Scripture today: "I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted." Job 42:2 NIV
Prayer Point: Pray that you truly believe and know that God can do all things. Pray in thanksgiving than no purposes of God's can be thwarted.
Comments from You: What verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
p.s. Download our monthly Small Group study notes for our Chronological Bible readings at this link.
p.s. #2 - Download a schedule of our Chronological Bible readings for the year in PDF format at this link.
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Generational blessing Job was blessed to live and see 4 generations. Amen, Amen.
Posted by: Joanna | January 31, 2023 at 05:13 PM
I believe based on the description that Behemoth may be a Brontosaurus. Not sure my thoughts on Leviathan.
Posted by: Becky | January 31, 2023 at 06:57 PM