Job 41:12 Commentary and Bible Study

God has created nothing without careful consideration. Every detail of this creature has been intricately designed, and is worthy of Job’s attention and deep reflection. At the time of its creation vast thought was put into this beast, and it was always there for man to look upon as an example of his Creator’s workmanship, and it has not changed. God knew what lessons he put into it from the beginning, and now in this very unusual passage of Scripture he tells Job a little of what they are. ‘I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely proportion.’ First, God draws Job’s attention to Leviathan’s unapproachability and his defences. With language rich in metaphors, the Lord describes him as possessing an outer coat, perhaps a reference to his tough skin which protects him from any would-be attacker. This is going to have to be removed if any successful assault is to be made on him. Try removing ‘the face of his garment’, his impenetrable outer garment: you will regret it if you do. His instinct is to destroy all that come close to him and he uses his enormous strength to do it. Then again, can you come near him with a bridle as you might a horse, and put the bit in his mouth and the halter around his head. You will discover that he is a very different sort of creature to the comparatively placid horse, for you would have to put that bit into a mouth full of terrible teeth and he is going to make full use of them. The doors of his face are his jaws and you have got to get them open to place the bit inside, but when Leviathan opens his mouth it is for another reason and not to let human beings bridle him. He is equipped with a terrible set of teeth that no one would want to risk him using on them. He knows how to use those teeth and you are unlikely to survive such an encounter. He can defend himself with terrifying ferocity.