Chapter 40
Themes, discussion questions, Christ connections, and denomination lenses.
Just read this chapter →Scripture
KJV1Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said,
2Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.
3Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
4Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.
5Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.
6Then answered the LORD unto Job out of the whirlwind, and said,
7Gird up thy loins now like a man: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
8Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
9Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
10Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
11Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
12Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
13Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
14Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.
15Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox.
16Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
17He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together.
18His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron.
19He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.
20Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play.
21He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens.
22The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about.
23Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth.
24He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.
“Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth.”
Overview
God challenges Job to answer: shall he who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Job responds by placing his hand over his mouth, acknowledging he is of small account. God then speaks a second time, asking Job whether he can adorn himself with majesty and abase the proud. He describes behemoth, a mighty creature of enormous strength, as an example of His creative power that humbles all human pretension.
Key Themes
Job's First Response: Silence
Confronted by God's questions, Job moves from arguing to silence, placing his hand over his mouth — the first step toward true understanding.
The Challenge to Judge
God asks whether Job can govern the moral universe — abase the proud, punish the wicked — challenging the assumption that Job could manage God's job better.
The Power of Behemoth
The description of behemoth — a creature of enormous power that only God can approach — illustrates the Creator's sovereignty over forces that dwarf human strength.
Study Questions
What does Job's response of placing his hand over his mouth (v. 4) represent spiritually?
Why does God ask Job whether he can abase the proud and tread down the wicked (vv. 11-13)?
What does the description of behemoth teach about God's creative power?
How does the transition from Job's arguing to Job's silence mark a turning point in the book?
What does it mean to recognize that we are 'of small account' (v. 4 paraphrase) before God?
Connection to Christ
Only Christ can truly 'abase the proud' and 'tread down the wicked' (vv. 11-12), for He alone is appointed as Judge of the living and the dead. What Job cannot do, Christ will accomplish at His return when He judges the world in righteousness and establishes His eternal kingdom.
Personal Reflection
Take time to journal or meditate on what God is teaching you through Job 40. How can these truths transform your thinking and actions today?