Yahweh and Job
Dec 19, 2015
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 1st Speech (Job 38:1-40:2)
• Job 38:4-38—– Yahweh asks Job to explain creation.
• Can Job explain the earth, the sea, and the stars?
• The light?
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 1st Speech (Job 38:1-40:2)
• Job 38:39-39:30– Here is another set of seemingly absurd questions.
• Can Job provide prey for the lion? • Does Job know when & how the wild animals
give birth? • Can Job understand or control the ways of the
wild animals?
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 1st Speech (Job 38:1-40:2)
• Job 40:1-2—The Pivotal Question"Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty?
Let him who reproves God answer it." (NASB)
• Here is the true issue, & the reason that Yahweh does not deal with Job’s accusations directly.
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 2nd Speech (Job 40:6-41:34)
• Job 40:6-14– Yahweh again challenges Job. – Can Job hand out justice in all the world? – Bruce Almighty
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 2nd Speech (Job 40:6-41:34)
• 41:10-11 present the real issues:– Since no one can arouse Leviathan, why would
anyone dare to stand before God?
• God is the owner of everything, so how can Job suggest that God owes him something.
Yahweh’s Speeches (Job 38-41) Yahweh’s 2nd Speech (Job 40:6-41:34)• Job 41:1-34—Leviathan
– Traditionally, many have seen a description of a crocodile.
– Many (most?) scholars see a mythological sea creature.
• “You have smitten Lotan [Leviathan] the evil serpent, you have destroyed the crooked serpent, the mighty one of seven heads” (jewishvirtuallibrary.org).