Job 40

Chapter Summary

In Job chapter 40, God asks Job if he can control the forces of nature and create life, highlighting Job's limitations and God's omnipotence. God then describes two mighty creatures, Behemoth and Leviathan, to demonstrate His power and wisdom. The chapter concludes with God's challenge to Job to explain the nature of these creatures, emphasizing the mystery and majesty of God's creation. Key verses include Job 40:7-14, where God questions Job's ability to govern the world, and Job 40:15-24, where God describes the strength and power of Behemoth.

Context for the Chapter

Job chapter 40 is part of the third cycle of speeches in the book of Job, where God responds to Job's complaints and questions. The chapter is a continuation of God's speech, which began in Job 38, and is followed by Job's response in Job 42. The chapter is also part of the larger biblical narrative, which emphasizes God's sovereignty and wisdom in creation, as seen in Psalm 104 and Isaiah 40.

Heart Application

The chapter encourages the reader to trust in God's wisdom and power, even when facing difficult circumstances or questioning God's judgment. The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and control over the world, challenging the reader to humble themselves and acknowledge God's majesty.

What Does This Chapter Mean?

This chapter is about God's power and wisdom, as seen in the creation of mighty creatures like Behemoth and Leviathan. God is challenging Job to consider whether he can truly question God's judgment, emphasizing the vast difference between God's wisdom and human understanding. In Job 40:7, God asks Job if he can speak to Him who is being judged, saying 'Your judgment is wrong.'

Voices from the Church

“The book of Job is a mine of rich treasure, and this chapter is a particularly precious gem, revealing the power and wisdom of God in creation.”

— Charles Spurgeon

“The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves to illustrate the greatness of God and the littleness of man, challenging us to trust in God's sovereignty and wisdom.”

— John Calvin

Outline for Preaching

1. Introduction to God's Speech (Job 40:1-5) — God begins His speech to Job, challenging him to consider his limitations and God's power.
2. The Description of Behemoth (Job 40:6-24) — God describes the mighty creature Behemoth, symbolizing His power and wisdom in creation.
3. The Description of Leviathan (Job 40:25-41:34) — God describes the sea monster Leviathan, representing the forces of chaos and evil that God has created and controls.
4. God's Challenge to Job (Job 40:7-14) — God challenges Job to consider whether he can truly question God's judgment, emphasizing the vast difference between God's wisdom and human understanding.
5. Conclusion (Job 40:15-24) — The chapter concludes with God's challenge to Job to explain the nature of Behemoth, emphasizing the mystery and majesty of God's creation.

Core Doctrines

The Sovereignty of God

This chapter teaches that God is the all-powerful and all-wise Creator of the universe, who has complete control over the forces of nature and the creatures that inhabit the world.

The Wisdom of God

The chapter emphasizes God's wisdom and understanding, which are beyond human comprehension, and challenges the reader to trust in God's plan and purpose for the world.

The Majesty of God

The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves to illustrate the majesty and power of God, challenging the reader to humble themselves and acknowledge God's greatness.

The Humility of Man

The chapter teaches that humans are limited in their understanding and power, and should approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging their dependence on Him.

Lessons from Job 40

1. The Importance of Humility — The chapter teaches the importance of humility and reverence in approaching God, acknowledging our limitations and dependence on Him.
2. The Majesty of God's Creation — The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves to illustrate the majesty and power of God's creation, challenging the reader to appreciate and respect the natural world.
3. The Wisdom of Trusting in God — The chapter encourages the reader to trust in God's wisdom and power, even when facing difficult circumstances or questioning God's judgment.
4. The Limitations of Human Understanding — The chapter teaches that human understanding is limited, and that we should approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging our dependence on Him.
5. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and control over the world, challenging the reader to trust in His wisdom and power.

Themes from Job 40

1. The Power of God — The chapter emphasizes God's power and wisdom in creation, as seen in the description of Behemoth and Leviathan.
2. The Wisdom of God — The chapter teaches that God's wisdom and understanding are beyond human comprehension, and challenges the reader to trust in His plan and purpose for the world.
3. The Majesty of God — The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves to illustrate the majesty and power of God, challenging the reader to humble themselves and acknowledge God's greatness.
4. The Humility of Man — The chapter teaches that humans are limited in their understanding and power, and should approach God with humility and reverence, acknowledging their dependence on Him.
5. The Sovereignty of God — The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and control over the world, challenging the reader to trust in His wisdom and power.

Questions for Meditation

1. What does the description of Behemoth and Leviathan reveal about God's power and wisdom?
2. How does God's challenge to Job in Job 40:7-14 relate to the theme of the chapter?
3. What does the chapter teach about the sovereignty of God and the limitations of human understanding?
4. How does the chapter encourage the reader to trust in God's wisdom and power?
5. What is the significance of the rhetorical questions used by God in the chapter?

Detailed Chapter Outline

Frequently Asked Questions

Top Cross References

Sermons on Job 40

	Sermon	Description
	(I Want an Answer) Will I Ever Be Found Out? by Stephen Olford	In this sermon, the preacher tells a story about a man who becomes drunk and neglects his faithful dog. One night, an intruder enters the man's garage, but the man is too intoxicat
	Seminar 3 - Dinosaurs and the Bible by Kent Hovind	This seminar addresses the perceived conflict between dinosaur fossils and the biblical account of creation, exploring the field of cryptozoology to shed light on hidden animals li
	Childrens Video About Dinosaurs by Kent Hovind	This sermon by Dr. Kent Hovind discusses dinosaurs, highlighting the inaccuracies in the teaching of their history, emphasizing that dinosaurs did not live millions of years ago bu
	(Church Leadership) 14. the Way of the Cross by Zac Poonen	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of following Jesus and taking up the cross. He highlights how Jesus faced constant hostility and was willing to shed his blood
	Psalm 37:7 by Bill Ammon	In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the intimate relationship between God and His children. He compares it to a mother comforting and caring for her child. The preacher also di
	Your Excuses by Paris Reidhead	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the idea that sinners often contend with God and make excuses for their actions. He explains that there are two types of contending with God
	Knowing God Through Brokenness by Zac Poonen	This sermon emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally and experiencing eternal life as defined by Jesus in John 17. It highlights that eternal life is not just living for
	Job Chapter 40: by Stan Ford	In this sermon, the preacher references several verses from the Bible, including Matthew 6:26, Revelation 3:8, and Revelation 22:20. He emphasizes the message of the Christian fait
	Job #4: God's Appearance by Stephen Kaung	In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for humility and self-awareness in the presence of God. He references biblical examples such as Eli and Daniel, who recognized their
	Studies in Job-03 Job-3 by William MacDonald	In this sermon, the preacher focuses on the book of Job and explores the theme of God's sovereignty and power. The sermon begins by highlighting God's role as the creator of the un

Summary of Matthew Henry Commentary on Job 40

In this chapter, God continues to speak to Job, challenging him to consider his limitations and God's power. The description of Behemoth and Leviathan serves to illustrate the majesty and power of God's creation, challenging the reader to appreciate and respect the natural world. The chapter emphasizes God's sovereignty and wisdom, teaching the reader to trust in His plan and purpose for the world. As Matthew Henry notes, 'The description of these creatures is not only a display of God's power, but also a call to humility and reverence, that we may learn to trust in His wisdom and power, and not in our own understanding.' (Job 40:15-24, Job 40:25-41:34) Read the full unabridged Matthew Henry Commentary →

What Do You Notice?