Job has what he has been asking for, a forum where he confronts the Lord. Imagine staring into that overwhelming power, here taking the form of the Whirlwind.
The Lord inquires - Will you challenge me? Or shall he who contends with Shaddai, be corrected?
Job becomes utterly deferential: Behold, I am vile – meaning of no account! Job concedes his place before the Almighty. He continues: I will not answer. I place my hand over my mouth.
The Lord revealed himself to Job, who eschewed evil, walked with God and made the proper sacrifices, as a lesson to mankind. It is the mindset we should all have toward the Almighty.
Job is hit with the realization -- God was present all along and recognizes himself wrong for thinking otherwise.
The Lord continues: Gird up thy loins like a man! I will question you; and you will answer.
God is teaching Job and asks us all to consider: Would thou annul my judgment? Would you condemn me so that you may be justified? Would you speak as if you were more righteous? Have you the arm (power) of God? Can you thunder with the voice of God? Can you adorn yourself with majesty and splendor? Do you recognize the Pride of man and justly punish same; and bring the wicked to their knees and hold sin to account? Do you hide the malevolent in the dust and bind their faces; shutting them in the grove?
God is making the point, being the universal King is infinitely complex! Job is reminded of all the Lord is responsible for. He realizes the symphony of life goes on with an ineffable beauty.
The Lord concludes: If you can do any and all of this, I will confess – that you are God and that you can save yourself by your own hand.
It is quite easy for us to point to infinite aspects of life we think unjust. Many conclude: I was wronged! There is no justice! This is an all-too-easy cop-out leading some to dispense with proper reverence. The more enlightened road is to pursue spiritual wisdom with maturity, coming to realize we are not fit to question God. This involves acknowledging limits of our perspective.
You are best off accepting divine wisdom you are fortunate to be granted. So much of this involves trusting, praying, and repenting.
The Lord moves on to one of his mystical, mighty or allegorical creations: Behold, my Behemoth!
Behemoth is initially referenced as a mighty beast; but then is taken to mythical proportions. The Lord points to how he devours grass like an ox. He directs us to his mighty physical features, meant to highlight the similar power of the monster’s creator.
Look at his strength – the power in his hips and loins as well as his navel! Behemoth is quite the masculine figure, with fierce verity. Look how he moves his tail like a cedar! This likely references an erect phallus. Continuing with sexual prowess – God references the sinews of his stones (testicles) being tightly knit. He then moves on the beast’s envious physique -- his Bones are strong as brass and ribs like iron rods. He is chief is ways of God. Only He who made him can approach him! God is the ultimate tamer of beasts.
Behemoth has been referenced, by some scholars, as a primitive chaos monster, who God overcome and controls. The question is raised: is the Scripture utilizing Canaanite or pagan concepts and importing it with new meaning, for any variety of purposes? Nevertheless, Behemoth is an expressive mega-beast. This figure roamed the earth causing discord but God brought him under control.
The Lord continues: My mountains yield him food. He plays in the fields. He is able to find shade and lie under trees. The willows of a brook surround him. Indeed; he can drinketh up a river. He remains unbothered as it flows down his gullet.
Behemoth is ultimately a giant force under God’s domain. Intertwined with this chapter are timeless psychological & mythological lessons.