Commentary and reflection:
We are in the last two chapters of the book of Job, a man from Uz, a place east of Canaan and South of Damascus. Moses writes or compiles Job’s experiences in the form of poetry. Job probably was contemporaneous with Abraham.
“Job’s backstory is the longstanding human discomfort with suffering in general, but particularly, with the suffering of the innocent—innocent oxen, donkeys, sheep, camels, servants, children, but particularly, the righteous innocent, the servant of Yahweh named Job. The book rolls back a veil to grant to humans some insight into the workings of the Great Controversy between good and evil.” Andrews Adventist Commentary, Introduction to the book of Job
In Job 41 The Lord mentions another beast created by Him. Chapter 40 talks about “the behemoth”, which is possibly the hippopotamus. Chapter 41 mentions “Leviathan”, which could well be the alligator.
“The creature is represented as wild, fierce, and ungovernable, having a mouth of large size and armed with a formidable array of teeth. The body is covered with scales set near together, like a coat of mail. Whether Job is here describing the crocodile, as many commentators think, or some monster now extinct, cannot be established.” SDABC, Job 41:1
About the flames and smoke that come out Leviathan’s mouth, the Adventist Bible Commentary says,
“The language of this verse is highly figurative. It seems to describe the impression of the monster on the minds of the observers. The snorting, spouting, and splashing of the beast in the sparkling sunlight suggests the idea of lamps and sparks.” SDABC, Job 41:21
“This verse contains the point of the entire argument. A creature that God has made is so formidable that man dares not “stir him up.” How, then, dares any man to contend with the Creator? This is doubtless intended as a rebuke to Job for his rashness in desiring to argue with God.” SDABC, Job 41:19
The Lord’s silence was difficult for Job, especially because of the noise of his friends, but when He spoke, Job listened and repented. He acknowledged his lack of understanding.
It is not the same to hear about God as to know him by experience. His pain helped Job to know Him better.
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You. 42:5
And what about Job’s friends, his counselors, and comforters? God rebuked them and they repented as well. The Lord gave them the assignment of going to Job and ask him to pray for them. By complying they taught us a lesson in humility and obedience.
Are you surprised that The Lord says that Job said of Him what was right? Isn’t it comforting to know that He understands us when we hurt and forgives us when we err?
In the circle of prayer that ensued, blame, arguments and theories turned into grace, forgiveness, and blessing. Pure worship! Repentance, obedience, humility, reconciliation, forgiveness, restoration, love of God.
10 And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. Job? 42:10?????????????
Job 42 teaches us that our understanding is limited. It teaches us that the correct approach to conflict resolution is to pray for each other, to forgive each other, even those who have offended us, and have spoken ill of us. Prayer will transform how we view people and their actions.
May this always be our outlook and spirit as a church.
May God grant you and your family a very blessed day.
Pastor Abel Paulin
