that he has sinned; and therefore he calls himself vile. Repentance changes men's opinion of
themselves. Job is now convinced of his error. Those who are truly sensible of their own sinfulness
and vileness, dare not justify themselves before God. He perceived that he was a poor, mean, foolish,
and sinful creature, who ought not to have uttered one word against the Divine conduct. One glimpse
of God's holy nature would appal the stoutest rebel. How, then will the wicked bear the sight of his
glory at the day of judgment? But when we see this glory revealed in Jesus Christ, we shall be
humbled without being terrified; self-abasement agrees with filial love. (Job 40:6-14)
Verses 6–14
Those who profit by what they have heard from God, shall hear more from him. And those who
are truly convinced of sin, yet need to be more thoroughly convinced and more humbled. No doubt
God, and he only, has power to humble and bring down proud men; he has wisdom to know when
and how to do it, and it is not for us to teach him how to govern the world. Our own hands cannot
save us by recommending us to God's grace, much less rescuing us from his justice; and therefore
into his hand we must commit ourselves. The renewal of a believer proceeds in the same way of
conviction, humbling, and watchfulness against remaining sin, as his first conversion. When
convinced of many evils in our conduct, we still need convincing of many more.
Verses 15–24
God, for the further proving of his own power, describes two vast animals, far exceeding man
in bulk and strength. Behemoth signifies beasts. Most understand it of an animal well known in
Egypt, called the river-horse, or hippopotamus. This vast animal is noticed as an argument to humble
ourselves before the great God; for he created this vast animal, which is so fearfully and wonderfully
made. Whatever strength this or any other creature has, it is derived from God. He that made the
soul of man, knows all the ways to it, and can make the sword of justice, his wrath, to approach
and touch it. Every godly man has spiritual weapons, the whole armour of God, to resist, yea, to
overcome the tempter, that his never-dying soul may be safe, whatever becomes of his frail flesh
and mortal body.
Chapter 41
Concerning Leviathan.
—The description of the Leviathan, is yet further to convince Job of his own weakness, and of
God's almighty power. Whether this Leviathan be a whale or a crocodile, is disputed. The Lord,
having showed Job how unable he was to deal with the Leviathan, sets forth his own power in that
mighty creature. If such language describes the terrible force of Leviathan, what words can express
the power of God's wrath? Under a humbling sense of our own vileness, let us revere the Divine
Majesty; take and fill our allotted place, cease from our own wisdom, and give all glory to our
gracious God and Saviour. Remembering from whom every good gift cometh, and for what end it
was given, let us walk humbly with the Lord.