You must be in fellowship prior to your Bible study, so that the spiritual information you receive can become a source, of blessing to your soul and produce spiritual growth.
Job 41:1-2
1 Canst thou draw out [mashak] leviathan [livyathan] with
an hook [chakkah]? or his tongue [lashown] with a cord [chebel] which
thou lettest down [shaqa`]?
2 Canst thou put [suwm] an hook ['agmown] into his
nose ['aph]? or bore [naqab] his jaw [lachiy] through
with a thorn [chowach]? KJV-Interlinear
1 'Can you draw out Leviathan
with a fishhook? Or press down his
tongue with a cord? 2 'Can you put a
rope in his nose? Or pierce his jaw with
a hook? NASB
Again, the Leviathan is a description of some sort of
great fish or water animal, perhaps like a giant crocodile. This does not describe a single creature, but
a category of dangerous creatures that are large and otherwise extremely
difficult to catch let alone tame.
If we had a specific animal described, then as time
went along, people would be tempted to call God on His claims, and in trying to
capture a large animal, distort the whole point of this chapter.
In Jobs day, catching and taming, even making a large
creature into a pet, was probably an impossible task. This gives the passage more meaning. And it makes it clearer that God alone is
able to do these things, whereas man cannot.
In our current day, almost every type of creature has
been captured and placed in zoos or aquariums and such. But the point here is not whether you can
catch the fish, but whether you can build a relationship with it as one would
with another person.
God possesses a unique relationship with all living
things. Man has great difficulty in figuring out his own kind.
And so, is it possible to catch the giant beast, with
a little fishhook? Is it possible to
subdue the giant beasts mouth, under ones control? Can you lead the beast along on a leash as
you would a pet dog, or restrain his mouth with a fastener (hook) as you would
a horse with a bridle and bit?
And the answer to these questions is, 'No.'
And yes, you can find whales and dolphins and such as
trained creatures in many water parks around the world, but these are not
creatures of the wild nature such as the crocodile. When did you see someone walk up to a
crocodile, pet it, saddle it, put on some reins, and ride it like a pet horse?
Man cannot accomplish these things, but God possesses
the respect and admiration of animals such that all will pay attention when God
speaks to them. That is the concept
here. God possesses power over nature
while man does not.
Now is the time to post a prayer.
End Of Lesson
Study to show thyself approved (mature) unto God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing (studying/discerning), the Word of truth.
|