First light on a wide, still river: only a crocodile's eyes and the ridge of its snout break the surface, with a thin V of ripple, under a calm, pale, empty dawn sky.

The Book of

Job 41

The LORD speaks on. Job has just heard about Behemoth. He wanted to take God to court, and he couldn’t take this animal for a walk.

34 verses≈ 3 minBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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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 41
42The endJob prays and is restored

The LORD’s Power Shown in Leviathan

God

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God

Surely hope of overcoming him is false.

Is not the sight of him overwhelming?

No one is so fierce as to rouse Leviathan.

Then who is able to stand against Me?

God

Job 41:11

Reflect

Everything under heaven

The LORD owes no one. Where have you been keeping accounts with God, as if He owes you? Write one thing you are asking for, and then one thing He has already given.

God

A large crocodile basking on a sandbank, jaws open, rows of teeth showing, its long body in a smooth curve.

I cannot keep silent about his limbs,

his power and graceful form.

Who can strip off his outer coat?

Who can approach him with a bridle?

Who can open his jaws,

ringed by his fearsome teeth?

God

God

His rows of scales are his pride,

tightly sealed together.

One scale is so near to another

that no air can pass between them.

They are joined to one another;

they clasp and cannot be separated.

God

Sunrise on the river: a crocodile lifts its head and blows a fine spray that catches the first light like sparks, under a calm, empty gold sky.

His snorting flashes with light,

and his eyes are like the rays of dawn.

Firebrands stream from his mouth;

fiery sparks shoot forth!

Smoke billows from his nostrils

as from a boiling pot over burning reeds.

His breath sets coals ablaze,

and flames pour from his mouth.

0:19

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

God

God

Strength resides in his neck,

and dismay leaps before him.

The folds of his flesh are tightly joined;

they are firm and immovable.

His chest is as hard as a rock,

as hard as a lower millstone!

Question

Quick question

Think back to the middle of the speech.

What does the LORD say is His?

God

When Leviathan rises up, the mighty are terrified;

they withdraw before his thrashing.

The sword that reaches him has no effect,

nor does the spear or dart or arrow.

He regards iron as straw

and bronze as rotten wood.

No arrow can make him flee;

slingstones become like chaff to him.

A club is regarded as straw,

and he laughs at the sound of the lance.

God

He regards iron as straw

Job 41:27

God

One huge crocodile alone on a sandbank at sunset, head high, the whole wide river empty round it.

Nothing on earth is his equal—

a creature devoid of fear!

He looks down on all the haughty;

he is king over all the proud.”

Pray

Worship the God who made what no one can handle. Hand over what is out of your reach. Give thanks that the One who rules the proud is also kind to those who come to Him.

You’ve experienced

Job 41

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A verse to carry with you

Who has given to Me that I should repay him? Everything under heaven is Mine.

Job 41:11

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