Dave Burnette's Commentary

Job Chapter 40

Written By: God through Inspiration
Penned By: Unknown, possibly Job, Moses, Solomon, and Elihu
Date Penned: (2000-1800 BC)
Overview: Faith in God's Sovereignty Through Trials (c 1-42)
Theme: God Answers Job (c 38-41)
Message: God Speaks in the Whirlwind (v 1-24)

Job 40 Commentary

(40:2-5) Do You Accuse God? - How do you contend with or accuse 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 think about the vastness of his authority and power. Remember Job's reaction when he had his chance to speak. Are you worse off than Job or more righteous than he was? 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.


(40:4) Job is Humbled By God's Sovereignty - Throughout 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 suffering had come upon him. God's actions do not depend on ours. He will do what he knows is best, regardless of what we think is fair. It is important to note, however, that God came to Job, demonstrating his love and care for him.


(40:15) The Behemoth - "Behemoth" could be a reference to a large land animal, possibly an elephant or hippopotamus.


Dave Burnette's Life Application


Questioning God?

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter, making application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we continue in the Book of Job with Chapter 40. In our text today, we see the Lord continue to speak to Job, and when Job had a chance to speak, he did not complain or question God. In making application, we see the correct way to pray and talk to God. Who are we to question God when we face trials and hardships? Yes, we do complain to others from time to time, expressing our dislike to the trial, but we should never question God to His Face. God loves us and will reveal His plan to us as we are on His timetable, and He is not on ours. We can ask God Why but should refrain from disrespectfully questioning His Authority. How about you? Do you question God? Let us learn from our text today and the life and example of Job, who suffered more than we will ever suffer but did not disrespectfully question God, for he understood that God loved him and He was the Lord of his life.

 

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Job 40

Job 40

 1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,

 2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.

 3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,

 4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.

 5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

 6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

 7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

 8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?

 9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?

 10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.

 11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.

 12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.

 13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.

 14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

 15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.

 16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.

 17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.

 18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.

 19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.

 20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.

 21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.

 22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.

 23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.

 24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.