“LET HIM WHO ACCUSES GOD ANSWER HIM”

Job 40:1-24 / Keywords 40:2

"Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him? Let him who accuses God answer him!"

 

40:1 The Lord said to Job:

2 “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?

    Let him who accuses God answer him!”

3 Then Job answered the Lord:

4 “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?

    I put my hand over my mouth.

5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—

    twice, but I will say no more.”

6 Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm:

7 “Brace yourself like a man;

    I will question you,

    and you shall answer me.

8 “Would you discredit my justice?

    Would you condemn me to justify yourself?

9 Do you have an arm like God’s,

    and can your voice thunder like his?

10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,

    and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,

    look at all who are proud and bring them low,

12 look at all who are proud and humble them,

    crush the wicked where they stand.

13 Bury them all in the dust together;

    shroud their faces in the grave.

14 Then I myself will admit to you

    that your own right hand can save you.

15 “Look at Behemoth,

    which I made along with you

    and which feeds on grass like an ox.

16 What strength it has in its loins,

    what power in the muscles of its belly!

17 Its tail sways like a cedar;

    the sinews of its thighs are close-knit.

18 Its bones are tubes of bronze,

    its limbs like rods of iron.

19 It ranks first among the works of God,

    yet its Maker can approach it with his sword.

20 The hills bring it their produce,

    and all the wild animals play nearby.

21 Under the lotus plants it lies,

    hidden among the reeds in the marsh.

22 The lotuses conceal it in their shadow;

    the poplars by the stream surround it.

23 A raging river does not alarm it;

    it is secure, though the Jordan should surge against its mouth.

24 Can anyone capture it by the eyes,

    or trap it and pierce its nose?

1. God sought an answer from Job (38:3) and now he continued seeking his answer. Job had been contending with the Almighty and accusing God. Now he confessed that he was unworthy. But the LORD was not quite finished with his questioning. Not only did God reveal himself in his creation, but also in his justice. It is God who alone is just. He brings the proud low, humbles the wicked, and has the power of life and death. When men are guided by pride, they become enemies of God. They take his place in the matter of his justice. We are in desperate need of salvation, and only God can save us.

 

2. Next God reminded Job that he created the great behemoth, the most powerful of all the animals. His strength is beyond compare in this world. He won’t be upset by the raging stream, and he is impervious to capture. But God can approach it. The behemoth knows who his Maker is.

 

Prayer Lord, my pride makes me ignorant of your glory. Save me from living like your enemy.

One Word Only God can save