Job 40:6-24

The Second Speech of the LORD

6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm. He said,
7 "Get ready to stand up for yourself. I will ask you some more questions. Then I want you to answer me.
8 "Would you dare to claim that I am not being fair? Would you judge me in order to make yourself seem right?
9 Is your arm as powerful as mine is? Can your voice thunder as mine does?
10 Then put on glory and beauty as if they were your clothes. Also put honor and majesty on.
11 Let loose your great anger. Look at those who are proud and bring them low.
12 Look at proud people and bring them down. Crush those who are evil right where they are.
13 Bury their bodies in the dust together. Cover their faces in the grave.
14 Then I myself will admit to you that your own right hand can save you.
15 "Look at the behemoth. It is a huge animal. I made both of you. It eats grass like an ox.
16 Look at the strength it has in its hips! What power it has in the muscles of its stomach!
17 Its tail sways back and forth like a cedar tree. The tendons of its thighs are close together.
18 Its bones are like tubes made out of bronze. Its legs are like rods made out of iron.
19 It ranks first among my works. I made it. I can approach it with my sword.
20 The hills produce food for it. All of the other wild animals play near it.
21 It lies under lotus plants. It hides in tall grass in the swamps.
22 The lotus plants hide it in their shade. Poplar trees near streams surround it.
23 It is not afraid when the river roars. It is secure even when the Jordan River rushes against its mouth.
24 Can anyone capture it by its eyes? Can anyone trap it and poke a hole through its nose?

Job 40:6-24 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO JOB 40

In this chapter Job is called upon to give in his answer, Job 40:1,2, which he does in the most humble manner, acknowledging his vileness and folly, Job 40:3-5; and then the Lord proceeds to give him further conviction of his superior justice and power, Job 40:6-9; and one thing he proposes to him, to humble the proud, if he could, and then he would own his own right hand could save him, Job 40:10-15; and observes to him another instance of his power in a creature called behemoth, which he had made, and gives a description of, Job 40:15-24.

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