In the book of Job, we learn about two different creatures. One being a ferocious land animal and another a great sea creature. In Job 40, we learn of the Behemoth and in Job 41, we learn of the Leviathan. Briefly, we will discuss them both but go into more detail in a separate message. As for the Behemoth, “he eateth grass as an ox. Lo, now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.” (Job 40:15-19) “Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.” (Job 40:23,24) When it comes to God’s creation on earth, this is the chief of the ways of God. Is this a dinosaur? We don’t know. Is this an animal that still existed in Job’s time? We don’t know. However, we do know that it existed and it was real. If God said spoke about it, then this beast was very important to Him. What we know is that this mysterious animal was very big in stature. Even so that no person with swords could do anything to it. And when it is thirty, an entire river is sucked up dry. This means that this animal was so large and ferocious, that the land animals looked very small compared to it. What we can learn from this animal is that it got its strength from God. The same should be of us when we say we believe in Jesus for salvation.
Now, moving on to the Leviathan, this animal was not only spoken of by God in Job but by David in Psalm 74 and 104, along with Isaiah in Isaiah 27. It was very well known and was even around in their time. And this is what we know about this sea creature in Job. “Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears? Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more. Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him? None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?” (Job 41:7-10) “Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth are terrible round about. His scales are his pride, shut up together as with a close seal.” (Job 41:14,15) “By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. Out of his mouth go burning lamps, and sparks of fire leap out. Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as out of a seething pot or caldron. His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his mouth.” (Job 41:18-21) “The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon. He esteemeth iron as straw, and brass as rotten wood.” (Job 41:26,27) Wow! I don’t know about you, but I would be scared to travel in a boat across the ocean with sea creatures like that in it. David mentions this, and I can just imagine how people would react to it. All I know is that the Leviathan and the Behemoth were both made by God’s hand. Because God is all-powerful, He showcased this power in them. The same can be said with us. God also wants to showcase His power through us if we let Him.
Let us pray:
Oh Lord, thank You for sharing Your mysteries with us, even in Your Holy Book, the Bible. Everything You have made and accomplished is deserving of our praise. Surely, there is no other God in the heavens or earth but You. Thank You for everything You have made, for it is a testimony of the great and mighty things You can do on earth and in our lives also. Lord, I may not have been around during the time of the great saints of old, like Moses, David, Isaiah, Elijah, and Job, but I pray that You will raise me up to be like unto them also. Help me to discover more and more of Your wisdom and understanding daily. God, I look to You in faith. Not just in words, but in deeds. Have Your way in me and use me mightily for Your kingdom. I know that extending our lives in the long future ahead of us is not promised, but I pray that You will use me now, while I still have breath. Because sickness can take a hold of me at any moment and I may die from it, I pray that my last days will be here to please You and not man. My joy does not come from the world, but by Your great hand. I am happy because You are with me. People may scoff at me, thinking my faith is in vain, but I know that when this life is set and done, that I will be with You. My king does not exist on earth but in heaven. You are my God, my Lord, my king, and my Savior. I love You, Jesus. Keep me ever in Your matchless arms of love. Carry me forth this day and the remainder of my life. Shine Your light upon me, that many people will see You in me and come to You in faith. I lift You up and give You praise. Amen.