40:2-5How do you argue or criticize almighty God? Do you demand answers when things don’t go your way, you lose a job, someone close to you is ill or dies, finances are tight, you fail, or unexpected changes occur? The next time you are tempted to complain to God, consider how much he loves you. And remember Job's reaction when he had his chance to speak. Are you worse off than Job or more righteous than he? Give God a chance to reveal his greater purposes for you, but remember that they may unfold over the course of your life and not at the moment you desire.
Life Application Study BibleJobChapter 40
Job 40
New Living Translation · Life Application Study Bible · Original pages: 836, 837
A few verse numbers on this page were hard to read in the scan and are marked with a dotted underline — compare with the original page image if in doubt.
40Job 40
1Then the LORD said to Job,
2“Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?”
Job Responds to the LORD
2Then Job replied to the LORD,
4“T am nothing—how could I ever find the answers?I will cover my mouth with my hand.
5T have said too much already.Thave nothing more to say.”
The LORD Challenges Job Again
66Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
7“Brace yourself like a man,because I have some questions for you,and you must answer them.i EU UEEEEEEEEEEEEEEORE40:6Job 38:140:7Job 38:3; 42:4
8“Will you discredit my justiceand condemn me just to prove you are right?
9Are you as strong as God?Can you thunder with a voice like his?
10All right, put on your glory and splendor,your honor and majesty.
11Give vent to your anger.Let it overflow against the proud.
12Humiliate the proud with a glance;walk on the wicked where they stand.
13Bury them in the dust.Imprison them in the world of the dead.
14Then even I would praise you,for your own strength would save you.
15“Take a look at Behemoth,*which I made, just as I made you.It eats grass like an ox.
16See its powerful loinsand the muscles of its belly.
17Its tail is as strong as a cedar.The sinews of its thighs are knit tightly together.
18Its bones are tubes of bronze.Its limbs are bars of iron.
19It is a prime example of God’s handiwork,and only its Creator can threaten it.
20The mountains offer it their best food,where all the wild animals play.
21It lies under the lotus plants,*hidden by the reeds in the marsh.
22The lotus plants give it shadeamong the willows beside the stream.
23[tis not disturbed by the raging river,not concerned when the swelling Jordan rushes around it.
24No one can catch it off guardor put a ring in its nose and lead it away.
The LORD’s Challenge Continues
41 1*“Can you catch Leviathan* with a hook
Textual footnotes
- 40:15 The identification of Behemoth is disputed, ranging from an earthly creature to a mythical sea monster in ancient literature.
- 40:21 Or bramble bushes; also in 40:22, 41:1a Verses 41:1-8 are numbered 40:25-32 in Hebrew text.
Life Application Notes 2 notes
40:4Throughout his time of suffering, Job longed to have an opportunity to plead his innocence before God. Here God appeared to Job and gave him that opportunity. But Job decided to remain quiet because it was no longer necessary for him to speak. God had shown Job that, as a limited human being, he had neither the ability to judge the God who created the universe nor the right to ask why. God’s actions do not depend on ours. He will do what he knows is best, regardless of what we think is fair. {t is important to note, however, that God came to Job, demonstrating his love and care for him.
Charts, profiles & sidebars from the printed pages
Study feature · page 837
How Jesus Is the Answer 1 Timothy 2:5 John 11:25 Hebrews 9:24 Hebrews 7:24, 25 Matthew 16:26; John 3:16 John 14:9
Subject/Reference in Job Someone must help us approach God (9:32, 33) is there life after death? (14:14) There is one in heaven working on our behalf (16:19) There is one who can save us from judgment (19:25) What is important in life? (21:7-15) Where do we find God? (23:3-5)
JOB AND JESUS The book of Job is intimately tied to the New Testament because Job’s questions and problems are answered perfectly in Jesus Christ.