(15) В¶ Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee; he eateth grass as an ox. (16) Lo now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly. (17) He moveth his tail like a cedar: the sinews of his stones are wrapped together. (18) His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. (19) He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him. (20) Surely the mountains bring him forth food, where all the beasts of the field play. (21) He lieth under the shady trees, in the covert of the reed, and fens. (22) The shady trees cover him with their shadow; the willows of the brook compass him about. (23) Behold, he drinketh up a river, and hasteth not: he trusteth that he can draw up Jordan into his mouth. (24) He taketh it with his eyes: his nose pierceth through snares.

The LORD here represents, under the history of the largest of land animals, which some suppose to have been the elephant, the sovereignty of his power: and, having described his greatness, strength, and fortitude, points out to Job, that the same power which made, can in a moment unmake him. And the LORD takes occasion from hence to remark his distinguishing grace to man, which was formed from the dust of the earth, in the same day; and no doubt, in the description here given, the LORD designed Job to form suitable conclusions, that if all and everything resulted from his infinite power and wisdom, surely, there was enough in such views of divine greatness, and divine goodness to induce humble and dutiful submission, even independent of other causes, to the divine will.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising