Pastor Bob DuPar
September 1, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

Job 40:1-42:17; 2 Corinthians 5:11-21; Psalm 45:1-17; Proverbs 22:14

Observation

Today’s reading was interesting to say the least. Job’s responses to God at this point in the biblical account are very humble:

“I am unworthy – how can I reply to You?” (40:4)

“I know that You can do all things; no plan of Yours can be thwarted. …Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.” (42:2-3)

Suggestions for the reference to “behemoth” (plural of ‘beast’) in 40:15 are: large cattle (generic use of the Hebrew word in the OT), an elephant, a hippo and a dinosaur. I personally believe the description is of a dinosaur, since a dinosaur is the only beast which matches all the characteristics listed in verses 15-24.

“Leviathan” is a term used 4 times in Scripture: (Job 3:8; Ps. 74:14; 104:26; Is. 27:1). Since this creature lives in the sea among ships (Ps. 104:26), some believe it was a sea monster, possibly an ancient dinosaur. Some feel it was a crocodile, which had scaly hide (v. 15), terrible teeth (v. 14) and speed in the water (v. 32). But crocodiles are not sea creatures, and this one was (v. 31). Some have thought it was a killer whale or a Great White Shark, because he is the ultimate killer beast over all other proud beasts (v. 34). It could also have been some sea-going dinosaur.
(The MacArthur Study Bible)

Personally, I’m not sure what “leviathan” was – especially since verses 15-30 sound like the description of a fire-breathing dragon.

I love Job 42:5,

“My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.”

I’m sure Job felt vindicated when God chastised his friends and commanded them to offer burnt offerings while having Job pray for them.

Job 42:12 says, “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” And, 42:10 says that “the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before.” God doubled Job’s livestock, but Job 1:2 makes it clear that Job started off with 7 sons and three daughters and ended up with 7 sons and three daughters. To me, the loss of Job’s original children could not be replaced by any amount of material blessing.

2 Corinthians 5:15,16-17 & 20 are all great reminders:

“And He (Christ) died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.”

“So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. …If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: ‘Be reconciled to God.”

Application

I need to view people from God’s perspective rather than from a worldly point of view. Everyone is a potential new creation. I need to be a diligent ambassador for God and let people know that the only way to be reconciled to God is through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Prayer

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. It’s amazing, and it supplies my every need.”