God Himself virtually ends the Book of Job!

The Book actually begins with God talking … and ends that way as well!

(Some day I’d like to preach Job chapters 38-42, all GOD had to say in His great, unsurpassed Sermon! Inquisition, with nearly 80 different questions! His Theology Lesson, that’s for sure!)

And God here concludes with (large blocks of data) a consideration of two animals. Behemoth (Wednesday’s Lesson) and Leviathan.

Both, I believe, are literal creatures, but perhaps now extinct. (After the world-wide Flood during the life of Noah, many animals eventually became extinct, disappeared from the face of the earth. Probably due to changes in the atmosphere, weather patterns and temperatures and the resultant plant growth.)

Leviathan occupies most of chapter 41, that alone being an astounding fact. Behemoth only about half a chapter. We’re going from strong to stronger, I think.

And both entities are pictured, looks to me, as “confrontational.”

They are symbols of evil, folks, of rebellion, of wildness! They represent the “devil” (called “the Satan” in Job) who has so opposed our little “hero,” Job the servant of the Lord.

Even with Leviathan (an apparent sea creature as opposed to Behemoth’s being as land creature) we see “hints” of monstrous anarchy.

In fact, he is humanly “untamable!” That’s the emphasis with which God begins: “Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? Or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? Or bore his jaw through with a thorn?” Job 41:1-2

God to Job, “One cannot ‘play’ with such evil.” Verse 5: “Wilt thou play with him as with a bird?” Dangerous, he is, deadly.

Seemingly impenetrable, Job 41:7 here … “Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?” No harpoons will be effective here, overcoming this thing will require supernatural power!

Somehow Job’s godliness had “stirred up” the devil, re-read chapter 1 of Job if necessary. Then compare God’s Words: “None is so fierce that dare stir him up.” Leviathan, still. As if to say, “He has come after you, Job!”

But then look: “Who hath prevented Me, that I SHOULD REPAY HIM? Whatsoever is under the whole heaven is Mine.” God will defeat Job’s arch-enemy! Stay faithful, Job (“patient” might be a better word) … God is going to give you the victory, soon now!

Leviathan is associated in the chapter with “PRIDE” too. Just like the devil, agree? “His scales are his pride.” Some sort of ancient sea monster is being described.

His “sneezes” literally emit “light!” (Remember, Lucifer means “light!”) Job 41:18 … “By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning.” Surely no animal like this is swimming in your neighborhood pond!

Fire, too! “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 41:19-21, fire as in “Hell?”

Now hard-hearted! Self assertive, “lifting up himself,” satanic to the core. “His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone. When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason of breakings they purify themselves.” Job 41:24-25

Job, you’re no match for him. “The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the habergeon.” Job 41:26 Also … “The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with him into stubble. Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.“

The chapter even closes, still Leviathan: “Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear. He beholdeth all high things: he is a KING over all the children of PRIDE.” See that? “King of the children of pride,” the Devil is the antitype of this animal, surely.

But again, God in mid-chapter, says: “I CAN HANDLE HIM. I CAN ‘REPAY’ HIM FOR THE ERROR OF HIS WAYS. FOR ‘TOUCHING’ MY SERVANT JOB, FOR FALSELY ACCUSING HIM.”

I think Job was plenty wise enough to get the Message!

And soon now, Job will be vindicated and doubly rewarded!

And the Satan, the Devil, the Behemoth-Leviathan of history … will be shamed no end!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

Today I flew from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Roanoke, Virginia. The flight (pictured below) departed Chattanooga at 5:15 AM, obviously still dark!

Due to an extremely busy travel schedule, I have not written a Lesson.

I connected in Charlotte, North Carolina. A little “T-tail” they call it, this type aircraft (again, pictured below). Currently American Airlines still uses a few of them.  Nicknamed DASH-8, it’s a lovely piece of equipment.

Another installment in our study of the Book of Job will be written and posted here tomorrow morning, the Lord willing. We shall focus on Job chapter 41 at that time.

My  arrival in Roanoke, around 9:00 AM, with Pastor David McNeill already waiting for me in the luggage claim area. By the way, a beautiful flight. See the people deplaning? In each picture things get “brighter!”

 Now at the Church, on the way to the motel …

Pray for me as I preach tonight, please.

Thanks,

Dr. Mike Bagwell

Some say it’s merely a hippopotamus.

The animal described in Job 40:15-24.

I’m not absolutely positive about is identity, but it’s NOT a hippo!

In Greek “hippos” means “horse.” And “potamos” means “river.” Yes, when the ancients saw this giant animal, they called it a “river horse” because of its tendency to soak in the water. But folks, God discusses the horse later in Job, at length!

The Hebrew noun “behemoth” means “beast,” and is used of large animals in general.

But here in Job 40:15-24 the “behemoth” being considered is “specific!”

And God claims to be its Creator!

And God asks Job to “look” (to consider) this magnificent creature!

“He eateth grass as an ox.”

“His strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.” Strong lower body energy, remarkably muscular!

“He moveth his tail like a cedar.” This is not true of a hippopotamus, which virtually has no tail! Or an elephant either, another common candidate the scholars suggest.

But it would have been true of ancient (now extinct) animals loosely called “dinosaurs.” Mammoth tails, dangerous as well!

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

Such giants (dinosaurs) lived prior to the world-wide Flood, in Noah’s day.

And this “being” is so outstanding that Scripture claims: “He is the chief of the ways of God.” Job 40:19, where “chief” is Hebrew “reshiyth,” meaning “beginning” or “firstfruits” or “the very best!” (Recall that Satan, in Ezekiel 28:14, is called God’s “anointed Cherub!” God’s very “chief” angel?)

Then look, Job 40:19, the rest of the verse. For some reason God turns “combative!” Notice: “He that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.”

In other words: “Should God decide or find it necessary … the Almighty can take His Sword and conquer, eliminate this monstrous animal, this ultra-strong behemoth, for sure!”

I believe this animal (though very real, historically viable, understand this) is being used as a symbol. As a “type” of a rebellious (seeking to do harm) entity. Personally I think he is an emblem of the devil, of “the Satan” as revealed earlier in the Book of Job.

Plus this. The rest of the chapter has the “world” serving this “behemoth!” As Satan is the “god of this world,” in 2nd Corinthians 4:4. Here’s what I mean: “Surely the mountains bring him (behemoth) forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. The shady trees cover him (how nice) with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.”

And if so … God is covertly (indirectly, subliminally) saying to Job … THE MASTER OF REBELLION (SATAN) IS THE PERPETRATOR OF YOUR SUFFERING! HE IS REBELLIOUSLY (AND WRONGLY) ACCUSING YOU OF EVIL. BUT … I CAN (AND WILL) CONQUER HIM, JOB! YOUR VICTORY IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER. YOUR GOD HAS DEFENDED YOU! I AM PREPARING MY SWORD EVEN NOW!

And if I am anywhere near correct, this “behemoth” takes on fresh, new meaning!

The devil compared to an animal? Whoever heard of such? Simon Peter had. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.” 2nd Peter 5:8-9 (Don’t forget the “serpent” in the Garden of Eden, either.)

Wow!

Think about it.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

And God is not through discussing His animal world yet!

 

 

God is in the process of discussing His animal creation!

After Job has suffered (inexplicably as far as he is concerned, Job) for many months now.

Really, one would have thought “consolation” was on the way, from “the God of all comfort.” At least that’s how Paul labeled our great God in 2 Corinthians 1:3.

But, no.

In fact, a mild “correction” must have been in order for Job!

The Lord’s “monologue” is temporarily interrupted like this, a brief narrative: : “Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.” Job 40:1-2

Job had apparently, in his quest for God, in his frantic search for answers to his dilemma (about a godly man enduring such hard times) become a little “too bold, too wordy, too self absorbed.”

So God lovingly, kindly, reminds Job Who is “in charge!”

The verbs “contend, instruct” and “reprove” are pretty strong!

In Job’s exasperation he had lost some of his humility!

In fact, “contend” is “riyb” in Hebrew, basically bringing a “lawsuit” against God!

Yet God’s question is obviously framed in love! (Much later the Lord Jesus, in Revelation 3:19 says: “As many as I LOVE, I rebuke and chasten.” Note the tender verb “love!”)

Now, watch Job’s immediate response to His Lord’s Presence!

Job was that obsessed with God! He loved His God so much, that he just wanted an appearance from the Almighty! No matter what “mood” God may have chosen to exhibit! And when God “corrects” a bit … Job is still thrilled! No resentment whatsoever!

Listen, watch: “Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.” Job 40:3-5

Job is more godly than many of us had ever thought!

Hebrews 12: 5 is being demonstrated right here, by Job. “Fleshed out” centuries before it was ever written in Scripture! “My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him.” Job did NOT faint! In fact, Job was thrilled!

And with that meek response, it’s soon back to Class! “Behold now behemoth, which I (the Lord God) made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.” Another animal, Job 40:15.

What a God we serve!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

Yes, seems like Job chapter 39 is dedicated to God’s animal creation!

And what amazing diversity exists in this seemingly inexhaustible area!

Here’s the list …

Deer (the “hinds” in the King James Version) and “goats,” verses 1-4. Especially noted is the way these creatures give birth, their gestation periods! Creation reproducing itself! By the way, if unborn animals are of concern to God, what about little unborn babies? Jesus, here being quoted from Matthew 6:26 … “Are ye (humans) not much better than they (the animals)?”

The “wild ass” is next, verses 5-8. The donkey, maybe. And his love of solitude, his lack of domestication! A celebration of the animal’s “freedom,” really! (And some theologians, a growing number  in fact,  deny all mankind the same freedom!)

Next is the “unicorn,” an animal not totally mythic, not make-believe. See Job 39, verses 9-12. Most modern versions of Scripture have demoted this animal to “ox” status! Some have him being a “buffalo,” and one a “rhinoceros!” But, truly, what is the “unicorn?” This once mighty beast is now, apparently, extinct! Many animals are, due to the devastating effect of the world-wide Flood in Noah’s day, God’s (sure) judgment on sin. Modern evolutionary biology and zoology deny that such a Flood ever occurred, so they have to come up with “new” ways to explain such extinctions! Thousands of them!

Then God references two birds, the “peacock” and “ostrich.” (This list absolutely amazes me! Almighty God  captivated by His Own Handiwork!) Verses 13-17, where (obviously a continual pattern now) all these animals are framed with numerous divine questions!

God may be asking: “JOB, IF I CAN CREATE AND GOVERN THE VAST ANIMAL WORLD, INCLUDING THE WILD BEASTS … CAN I NOT CARE FOR YOU? AND TAME YOUR EMEMIES, OR EVEN MAKE THEM EXTINCT?”

Verses 18-25 (the longest paragraph in the whole chapter, Job 39) presents to us the wondrous “horse.” Not just any one, however, the deadly “war horse” of antiquity. Hint … the animal’s fierce determination, unconquerable drive, spirit of battle and assurance of victory are here celebrated! (I personally believe God gave such detail here because the spirit of this animal, it’s desire to prevail in battle, is a symbol of Job in his amazing faith, tenacity!) And if so, WOW!

Job really IS one of the greatest literary works of all time, folks.

Then the chapter concludes with two more birds, creatures of the air. The “hawk” and the “eagle,” birds of prey in each case. Not birds often considered “victims,” but “victors.” Is God still (in a hidden, deep Message sort of way) saying something to Job, maybe just to Job?

Something like, VICTORY IS ON THE WAY, dear suffering servant!

Having written this today (Monday October 3, 2016) I yearn to preach these animals (all of them) some day, and try to thus magnify the Ineffable God Who made them!

Like the old song says, “I STAND AMAZED!”

— Dr. Mike Bagwell