We have been doing a series of messages about Job, the patriarch from the Old Testament. The title of the series is “Job: Patient Endurance and Faithfulness.” In the last message we said that God is speaking to Job about a stronghold that is brewing in Job's life - a self-righteous attitude, pride and anger.
God begins to talk in a way that Job can understand…. He speaks of 2 animals in ch.40&41; the behemoth and leviathan. Last time, we talked about the leviathan which represents a sea serpent, a demonic creature and even the devil himself. In ch.40 God speaks about another creature which He calls the “behemoth"…. a large beast or creature. God seems to be contrasting these two great creatures. The leviathan, the dreadful sea creature that represents dark and evil and the behemoth that represents power and strength in the Holy Spirit.
Job 40 :15 “Look now at the behemoth, which I (Lord) made along with you; He eats grass like an ox. 16 See now, his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles. 17 He moves his tail like a cedar; the sinews of his thighs are tightly knit. 18 His bones are like beams of bronze, his ribs like bars of iron. 19 He is the first of the ways of God; only He who made him can bring near His sword…..23 Indeed the river may rage, yet he is not disturbed; he is confident…
So, God is telling Job in these word pictures; don't get influenced by leviathan, but be a behemoth… a spiritual giant instead. There are 4 qualities that I see here…. What are the qualities of being a spiritual giant?
Power Job 40:16 “See now, his strength is in his hips, and his power is in his stomach muscles.”
The Bible says that his power is in his stomach muscles. Behemoth typifies a life that is lived with the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that if anyone comes to Me, out of his innermost being, out of his belly shall come forth rivers of living water…
Premier (of the ways of God) Job 40:19 “He is the first of the ways of God; ”The Bible says that the behemoth is first in the “ways of God”. Now what does that mean?... to understand the “ways of God” is to be able to say, “ God is accomplishing something in His way”… He acts/works to accomplish His good purposes and for the fulfillment of His glory.
Protected Job 40:19b “Only He (Lord) who made him can bring near His sword.”
It says that he is protected by God. We are under the divine care and protection of God. Has God kept you from harm, sickness, death, tragedy? But Job teaches us that God in His permissive will, may allow the enemy to initiate things that we won't understand; times of loss/trouble and difficulty…. but they are happening according to His purposes and will.
Peace Job 40:23 “Indeed the river may rage, yet he is not disturbed; he is confident..”
Rest…because of life in the Spirit/ knowing His ways / experiencing His protection…. We experience peace and rest.
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “Be a Behemoth.”
Blessings,
Kevin
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