The Lord asks Job will the faultfinder continue his accusations against me? If so, let him answer my questions, Job 40:1-2. In other words, if someone is in a position to find fault, then let him assume the position of the reprover.
God is asking Job, Is there something he thinks God has failed in? Is there some element of creation which can be improved upon? If so, then God is willing to listen to the arguments, 2 Timothy 4:2-4.
Job replies and admits he has spoken rashly. He says he is weak, and he will keep his mouth shut, Job 40:3-4. However, this silence isn’t trust, and so the Lord continues. Job had wanted to speak with God, but when God invites him, Job is wisely silent, Job 40:5. Why?
The New Bible Commentary says the following.
‘Here we have a classical illustration of the results which must always follow when the silence of heaven is broken, when there is a revelation of God himself, to which men must listen in the posture of faith without which it is impossible to please God and at such times the speech of earth is stilled.’
Because Job is awe-struck by the power and greatness of God. Job has tried to maintain his humility with his friends, and now, in the presence of God, he again demonstrates his humble nature.
He isn’t angry, and he shows no resentment for what has happened to him. He is thankful to have his relationship with God back and quickly recognises he is insignificant in comparison to God.
God once again speaks to Job out of the storm, Job 40:6 / Exodus 19:19 / Exodus 20:18-21, and asks him questions in the areas that he had challenged God. It was while he began questioning God that Job slipped; he went past caring.
The implication was that Job was more righteous than God, so God allowed Job to prove it. God is saying to Job, since he knows so much about everything and is playing at God, when Job has perfectly executed justice, then God Himself will confess how great Job is.
Man isn’t in a position to understand all the ways of God; he is unable to render judgments, let alone show what is flawed in God’s judgments, Job 40:7-8. Therefore, God has the right to do what He has done because His judgments are perfect. The Lord, in a short way, is telling Job that he is in no position to rule or judge the one who does, Job 40:8-9.
The International Critical Commentary says the following.
‘The argument here is that ‘The world is so large, and the circumstances and situations of individual life are so infinitely varied, that none but an omnipotent Ruler could govern them with perfect justice. Therefore, one who does not possess God’s might must refrain from passing judgment upon God’s justice.’
If he intends to judge and rule, he had better clothe himself with eminence and majesty, Job 40:10. As great as someone who is going to save themselves, Job 40:11-14.
Bridgeway Bible commentary says the following.
‘He asks about Job’s accusations of injustice in God. Does he still want to make God wrong merely to prove himself right? Does he want to be like God, to take God’s place and govern the moral order of the universe, to decree what is right and what is wrong, Job 40:6-9? If so, let Job clothe himself with God’s magnificent robes and sit in judgment on all who are proud and wicked. Then God will acknowledge Job’s assessment of himself as correct, Job 40:10-14.’
God finishes His speech by mentioning two of His great creatures to demonstrate how strong He is. The Behemoth, Job 40:15-24, meaning ‘a large beast’ and the Leviathan, Job 41:1-34. The reason God mentions these two creatures is simply to let Job know that mankind is utterly incapable of controlling that which is easy for God to control.
The Behemoth is described as one of the strongest creatures of God’s creation, Job 40:15-18. They are very powerful on the land, untroubled in the water and very difficult to capture, Job 40:19-24. God’s power is seen in the power He is able to give to these creatures.
There are three interpretations of the Behemoth and the Leviathan.
1. They are mythological.
But why use imaginary animals? What difference would that make to Job?
2. They are animals with which we are familiar, as listed in most footnotes, i.e., Behemoth is a hippopotamus or elephant, and the Leviathan is a whale or crocodile.
3. They are dinosaurs.
This explanation seems to be the most logical. Since no animal exists today that would fit the description of these animals, we would assume that one of the dinosaurs that existed either previous to or at the time of Job would fit the description of both Behemoth and Leviathan. Whatever the case, Job was familiar with the animal.