Job 40, 41, 42: 1-6, and Proverbs 30: 1-9

Agur, son of Jakeh recorded his oracle (Proverbs 30), his prayer, his request of simple things for a simple man. I ask the same. Lord, if You could work these things into my head and my heart, press them into the threads of my being, make me like this, Lord. Like Agur, I ask…

“Two things I ask of you; deny them not to me before I die: Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say, ‘Who is the LORD?’ or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God.”

Proverbs 30:7-9

Before Agur asks for an honest heart and tongue, before he asks for just enough and not too little, before he asks for integrity and trust and contentment, he shares his weary heart. Weary with himself, worn out and tired, mentally tapped out, lacking wisdom even while desiring it, and truthful about his lack of understanding of God Himself – the Holy One. His words sound familiar, like the words of God to Job:

“Who has ascended to heaven and come down? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has wrapped up the waters in a garment? Who has established the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name? Surely you know!”

Proverbs 30:4

I get excited reading the words about the Son right here in Proverbs. A glimmer of salvation in the words of this weary man! For a brief second, the spotlight swivels to Christ, and it catches my breath in wonder.

How can I explain the Holy One or His Son in words that can be typed from a qwertyuiop keyboard? I agree with Agur – my words are lacking, and my understanding is insufficient, or rather, non-existent. “I have not the understanding of a [human]. I have not learned wisdom…” (Proverbs 30:3). But also, how can I not talk about Him? He has sustained me and redeemed me, calling me by name. When one is in love, one can’t stop talking about the one they adore. I think Agur speaks from a heart of love for God. He praises God for His perfect Word, for His protection and shelter (Proverbs 30:5). Then he exhorts, echoing similar stern warnings found in Deuteronomy 4:2; 12:32; and Revelation 22:18.

“Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.”

Proverbs 30:6

So, now…with the grateful love I have for the Holy One and with the warnings to not add to His words ringing still, I will tell you what Job learns at the almost end of his story. First, God challenges Job to a wrestling match of arguments:

“Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.”

Job 40:2

Can you imagine? Job responds the only way one could respond, with deep humility and a contrite heart. I was too quick to speak, Lord! I don’t have a good answer for You! I’m shutting up now. What could I even say? And God answers Job’s humility, not from a still small voice like Job could have wanted, but out of a literal whirlwind, a tornado of fierce wind and word: “Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me.”

God questions Job about power. This reveals to Job that he is completely unable, without understanding or wisdom regarding the Holy One. God presses Job to examine his inability, telling him to robe himself with majesty as the LORD does (Psalm 93), to pour out wrath on the proud like God does, to bring the proud low and humble them. And Job is silent because he cannot. And you cannot. And I cannot.

God gives a couple of object lessons in power (Job 40:15-40:34). First, Behemoth. A great, terrifying beast! If you can read this passage and picture a hippo, I don’t know if we can be friends. Fine – it could be referring to a hippopotamus. It could also be a description of a dinosaur that is now long gone. Some say it could be an elephant. I’m trying to picture the elephant’s floppy, long, thin tail as a cedar tree. Hmm. But the point is this – Job would have been awed by the creative, sustaining power of God Almighty in the creation, care, and control of this powerful animal. I choose to picture a dinosaur when I read the passage, but truthfully, I would be completely terrified if I came across a hippo or an elephant in the wild; they are, after all, wild animals. Only God has perfect power over them.

Next, God describes Leviathan. I’ve read chapter forty-one multiple times, and I always see a dragon; it breathes flames (v. 18-21)! We can argue that dragons are mythical creatures that exist only in stories. That may be (probably is) true. And, even so, God told Job about a huge, iron-scaled, sharp-toothed, fire-breathing, sea-dwelling beast. No one dares to oppose this creature. No one can tame it or control it. It’s impossible to kill with swords, clubs, arrows, or stones. This is no Don Quixote windmill. Again, the animal is not the point here. The power of God is the point.

“Lay your hands on him; remember the battle – you will not do it again! Behold the hope of man is false; he is laid low even at the sight of him. No one is so fierce that he dares to stir him up. Who then is he who can stand before me? Who has first given to me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.”

Job 41:8-11

God makes it crystal clear to Job and to us, reading now in the year of our LORD, 2025: God is God alone; there is no one that has given anything to God or contributed to His power. He doesn’t need anything; He doesn’t need us. He is self-existent, self-sufficient. He is I AM. And we are not. So let’s respond as Job has, with humble praise, with submission and awareness of our condition before the Holy God. Job quotes his own proud words in his humble confession. He remembers the ways he argued with God, and he repents.

“I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.

‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’

Therefore, I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.

‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore, I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:1-6

This is the almost end of Job’s story, the part where Job sees God for who He is and is humbled. Job has suffered so much tragedy and loss with God’s allowance. Does it hurt to think about this? Does it cause us to doubt God’s love and goodness? Job has mourned and sorrowed. He has grieved deeply, dipping into the lands of depression, wishing he was no longer alive. And now, faced with God Himself, his suffering seems so small. Is it okay for the Creator to un-create? Is it right for the Sustainer to stop sustaining? God says of Himself, “Whatever is under the whole heaven is mine.” And God can do whatever He wants with His things. Are we able to accept His sovereignty in all areas of our lives?

When we find ourselves in times like these – suffering, loss, calamity and trial – can we say with Agur, “Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him,” or, are we stubborn, stiff-necked, angry, proud, taking up our weapons to fight back against the movement of God in our life? Set your weapons down, friend. Stand in awe before the Holy God. Be breathless in wonder at His mighty deeds.

“Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.”

I Peter 5:6-7