Dusk on the gray ash heap: a wrapped man sits small, seen from behind, the storm drawn back to a dark band on the horizon, under a calm, darkening, empty sky.

The Book of

Job 40

The LORD speaks, then Job, then the LORD again. Job has just heard the first speech. He asked for his day in court. Now he has nothing to say, and the LORD isn’t finished.

24 verses≈ 3 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cry
4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answers
15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defense
32–37ElihuA younger voice
38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwindChapter 40
42The endJob prays and is restored

Job Humbles Himself before the LORD

And the LORD said to Job:

God

“Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?

Let him who argues with God give an answer.”

Then Job answered the LORD:

Job

“Behold, I am insignificant. How can I reply to You?

I place my hand over my mouth.

I have spoken once, but I have no answer—

twice, but I have nothing to add.”

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

A man wrapped in a cloak, in dark silhouette from the side at a distance, one hand raised to his mouth, against a pale gap in the storm light.

Question

Quick question

Job has wanted this hearing for a long time. Now he has it.

What does Job do with his hand?

The LORD Challenges Job Again

God

A dark desert storm turns over the bare plain with a bright tear of light in it, a tiny cloaked figure before it, from behind.

Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:

“Now brace yourself like a man;

I will question you, and you shall inform Me.

God

Job 40:8

God

Then I will confess to you

that your own right hand can save you.

Reflect

Hand over mouth

Job has nothing to add, and the LORD keeps speaking. Is there a complaint you need to bring to God honestly, or an argument you need to stop making? Write which.

God

A real hippopotamus heaves up out of a brown river at the bank in the lower third, wet and massive, reeds beside it, under a calm empty sky.

Look at Behemoth, which I made along with you.

He feeds on grass like an ox.

See the strength of his loins

and the power in the muscles of his belly.

His tail sways like a cedar;

the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit.

His bones are tubes of bronze;

his limbs are rods of iron.

0:18

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

A river in brown spring flood races past, and a hippopotamus stands in it unmoved, the water up to its mouth.

Though the river rages, Behemoth is unafraid;

he remains secure, though the Jordan surges to his mouth.

Can anyone capture him as he looks on,

or pierce his nose with a snare?

Two speeches, two answers

Whiteboard

The first answer is silence. The LORD wants more than silence, so He speaks again, and this time about justice.

Pray

Ask God to stop you defending yourself at His expense. Ask for trust in His justice when you can’t see it. Thank Him that your own right hand is not what saves you.

You’ve experienced

Job 40

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A verse to carry with you

Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?

Job 40:8

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