Job 41: 1 – 34
The Enemy From Without
1 “Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower? 2 Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook? 3 Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you? 4 Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever? 5 Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you leash him for your maidens? 6 Will your companions make a banquet of him? Will they apportion him among the merchants? 7 Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears? 8 Lay your hand on him; remember the battle—never do it again! 9 Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him? 10 No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? 11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine. 12 “I will not conceal his limbs, his mighty power, or his graceful proportions. 13 Who can remove his outer coat? Who can approach him with a double bridle? 14 Who can open the doors of his face, with his terrible teeth all around? 15 His rows of scales are his pride, shut up tightly as with a seal; 16 One is so near another that no air can come between them; 17 They are joined one to another, they stick together and cannot be parted. 18 His sneezing flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lights; sparks of fire shoot out. 20 Smoke goes out of his nostrils, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 21 His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth. 22 Strength dwells in his neck, and sorrow dances before him. 23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; they are firm on him and cannot be moved. 24 His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone. 25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of his crashing they are beside themselves. 26 Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; nor does spear, dart, or javelin. 27 He regards iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. 28 The arrow cannot make him flee; Sling stones become like stubble to him. 29 Darts are regarded as straw; He laughs at the threat of javelins. 30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire. 31 He makes the deep boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 He leaves a shining wake behind him; One would think the deep had white hair. 33 On earth there is nothing like him, which is made without fear. 34 He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride.”
In our last study we came across a monstrosity called Behemoth. In our study we discovered that this beast represents the satanic twist that we all labor with and struggle against in our own lives which the Bible calls the flesh, the fallen nature within us - our humanity - with its continual desire to assert it and live for it. The second sizeable obstacle which we will look at in this study represents the world in all its vast influence upon every one of us, pressuring us to conform, to reflect the values and attitudes of those around us, dominating all our thinking and all our life in every possible way. Behind them both is the devil, with his malevolent, cunning wisdom and power, incredible in his might and his control of human events.
In the book of 1 John 2: 16 we read about the external factors that hinder us, “For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world.”
What God, then, is setting before Job is a very pertinent question for all of us: "Are you able to handle the enemy within [the flesh], and the enemy without [the world], especially that there is a malicious being who is behind them both- the devil?"
From the study of these two beasts that we read about in chapters 40 and 41 our Gracious Holy Spirit has helped us out in identifying Leviathan.
The Scripture reveals the name Leviathan in three other verses besides what we read here in chapter 41.
Psalm 74: 14, “Thou brakest the heads of leviathan in pieces, and gavest him to be meat to the people inhabiting the wilderness
Psalm 104: 26, “There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein.
Isaiah 27: 1, “In that day the LORD with His sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and He shall slay the dragon that is in the sea
As we begin to look at this chapter I want to show you that the words used in chapter 41 are not unique. In fact we can see almost the same reference from the prophet Ezekiel. In chapter 29 we read this, “1 In the tenth year, in the tenth month, on the twelfth day of the month, the word of the LORD came to me, saying, 2 “Son of man, set your face against Pharaoh king of Egypt, and prophesy against him, and against all Egypt. 3 Speak, and say, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD: “ Behold, I am against you, O Pharaoh king of Egypt, O great monster who lies in the midst of his rivers, who has said, ‘My River is my own; I have made it for myself.’ 4 But I will put hooks in your jaws, and cause the fish of your rivers to stick to your scales; I will bring you up out of the midst of your rivers, and all the fish in your rivers will stick to your scales. 5 I will leave you in the wilderness, you and all the fish of your rivers; You shall fall on the open field; You shall not be picked up or gathered. I have given you as food to the beasts of the field and to the birds of the heavens. 6 “Then all the inhabitants of Egypt shall know that I am the LORD, because they have been a staff of reed to the house of Israel. 7 When they took hold of you with the hand, you broke and tore all their shoulders; when they leaned on you; you broke and made all their backs quiver.” 8 ‘therefore thus says the Lord GOD: “Surely I will bring a sword upon you and cut off from you man and beast. 9 And the land of Egypt shall become desolate and waste; then they will know that I am the LORD, because he said, ‘The River is mine, and I have made it.’ 10 Indeed, therefore, I am against you and against your rivers, and I will make the land of Egypt utterly waste and desolate, from Migdol to Syene, as far as the border of Ethiopia.” 12 I will make the land of Egypt desolate in the midst of the countries that are desolate; and among the cities that are laid waste, her cities shall be desolate forty years; and I will scatter the Egyptians among the nations and disperse them throughout the countries.”
So, who or what are we talking about in Ezekiel? Is it a crocodile? No, actually it is talking about Pharaoh and Egypt. We are talking about a world leader and a world empire.
Egypt was the huge nation south of Israel. She had looked upon the land of Canaan as being part of her own territory. Reluctantly she ceded the land to other nations temporarily until she could at some time re-claim it. The Israelites as you know were slaves in Egypt and lived there for over 400 years. Therefore, the Israelites were greatly influenced by the Egyptian culture
The sin of Egypt was pride and its actions of leading the Israelites away from the Ever Living Holy One. Egypt’s influence had never been acceptable to Jehovah Mekkaddishkem – The Lord Who Sanctifies. They had led the Hebrew people into much of the idol worship.
Like other nations the king of Egypt – Pharaoh – saw himself as a god. Over and over Egypt had not left the Israelites alone. She exacted tribute from God’s people. In order for His elect to finally be free from the shackles of Egypt, it was time for her God to enact retribution.
The king [Pharaoh] of Egypt at this time was Hophra. He was like the king of Tyre in that he thought more of himself then he should have. The Nile River was the lifeblood for the Egyptians. Access to water is necessary for any settlement. Hophra started bragging that he was the creator who formed the Nile. He played the role of a tough guy who like a crocodile dared anyone to approach him. Jehovah Elyon – The Lord Most High – announces that He will hunt down this monster dragon and dispose of him because of his pretensions to deity [My River is my own; I have made it for myself.]
We read here in Scripture how others would catch and kill a crocodile. They would lasso a rope around it jaws. The croc that would ultimately put itself into a death spins which would wind the rope tighter around its deadly jaws. It would then be dragged to shore and killed. I have never read of anything sticking to the scales of a crocodile. Our Holy Lord used this example to describe the Pharaoh as the crocodile and the fish that stuck to it as its helpers. These were mercenaries from other countries.
Our wonderful Father prophesies that He Is going to do a similar fate to Pharaoh and his army. You notice today in Egypt the Spinks and Pyramids. They were really into the afterlife and a proper burial was a big deal. Historic records indicate that this Pharaoh [Hophra] was strangled by a rival and did not receive a proper burial but was just cast aside as our Scripture reveals.
Pharaoh had influenced the king of Israel to put his trust in him to be one of his allies. It was a worthless promise which costs thousands of Israelite lives. Besides crocodiles Egypt was known for its reeds. They grew along the banks of the Nile River and its tributaries. Egypt told Israel that she could count on them for help if attacked by Nebuchadnezzar. Egypt is only a reed which has no strength in itself. She promised to Israel that they could count on her to be a strong staff. In which Israel could lean onto for support. The fullness of Egypt’s abuse to God’s people had finally reached its top. They had received in the past some serious rebuke from the Lord during the Exodus. They did not learn their lesson. Now it was time to receive the Mighty God’s Wrath.
Now, I think that you understand that even in Ezekiel we are not talking about a crocodile. We are talking about the world and its leaders who influence us. It hasn’t changed since way back. Look around we are still under the same worldly actions and we have to conform to these laws.
1 “Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook, or snare his tongue with a line which you lower?
To convince Job of his own weakness he is here challenged to subdue and tame this leviathan if he can, and make himself master of him
In all the course of human history, who has ever been able to reform the world and to make it serve the ends of humanity? The whole nature of the struggle of history is to take the world system, with all its many problems of relationships, its pride and all its self-sufficiency, and make it serve the ends of humanity. This is why every government, every administration, struggles with the same problems. It has been true all the way back through history to the earliest dawn of recorded events. No one has ever been able to master the problems of the world and its ways, because our system is wrong.
Every generation of young people growing up senses it deep in its bones and somehow finds a means of expressing its revolt against "the system." This is the system that is described to us here. It lays its heavy hand of control upon all of us and insists that we conform to its system of values, its illusions of what are important and profitable in life. We all find ourselves constantly living under this tremendous pressure and finding ourselves unable to resist it, just as it is described here. We cannot make it serve us, we cannot control it.
No one can conquer this world system. Think back through history of all the proud conquerors with their fierce spirit that would not be able to fight the powerful elite opposition. How many times can a group of people rise up and oppose oppressive governments.
The words ‘to draw out’ mean ‘to cause to speak freely. Can you as an individual take on ‘city hall’? Ask yourselves an honest question, ‘Do you think that you can speak out freely today? It is so nuts in our world today that if you say something in a group who disagrees with you it is possibly you can be harmed. Can you change the downward insanity that the world imposes on us? Can you draw out from people hooked on the world a dialogue that can persuade or your words hook them to follow God’s ways? In today’s world as you know everything is turned inside out – it is twisted as Leviathan the coiled snake. Good is called evil and evil is promoted as ‘good.’
Salespeople are taught to deliver a ‘hook’ which puts people on the spot to make a decision, which hopefully is to buy your product. Have you ever lowered yourself to use a ‘line’ of conversation to get somebody to see your reasoning?
2 Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook?
The statement – ‘Can you put a reed through his nose, or pierce his jaw with a hook’ refers to being able to control this worldly beast. We read from Ezekiel that a ‘reed’ is not sturdy. It is like trying to punch a hole in a box using a paper straw. Pharaoh wanted them to lean on him to guide their lives. Today’s it is the same old stick. Leaders attempt you to put your trust in them. It proves out that you cannot lean on something that will collapse at the least amount of pressure. We all need to take this point to memory, play with Leviathan [the things of the world] and you will not be able to control your outcome. Ultimately you will be the one controlled.
3 Will he make many supplications to you? Will he speak softly to you?
As a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ can you actually think that you can fit in with the world? The bible says that we are in the world but not of it. Also, the bible says that if you love the world system you are in fact at odds or at war with Almighty God. It is very rare these days to just have a nice soft respectable conversation with the issues we all face daily. I hope your desire is for people to put their trust in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only through Him, The Prince of Peace, will all this mess finally be straightened out. However, do you think that people will line up for the Good News you know. Will they come up to you and say ‘Hey, I want what you have.’
4 Will he make a covenant with you? Will you take him as a servant forever?
Can you trust this monster? If you are nice and agreeable with this beast will it accept your kind action? Will they accept your point of views when you go all out to express your position of God’s laws and proper moral ethics? Will they say, ‘Let’s agree to the fact that we disagree.’ No, they will go out of their way to make your life even worse.
Will the worldly positions serve you any real benefits? Will you think that the world system gives you good service? The bible says not to be in debt except having the debt of love.
For example you cannot escape the world because one of the things we all need to do is establish a credit line. We need to get at least one credit card. However, once you do this you are not locked into the world as its servant. For example you have $4000 on your credit card balance. You are going to pay $85 each month and not charge anything again to get out of your slavery to debt. At the credit card interest at 22% you will finally pay off your debt in a little over 10 and one half years. You will ultimately pay to your credit master the $4000 they lent you along with $6, 395 of interest or a total of $10, 395. Nice huh?
5 Will you play with him as with a bird, or will you leash him for your maidens?
How do you play with a bird? – You teach it tricks.
When I think of tricks the first thought that comes into my mind is as I previous mentioned - salespeople.
There are some particular tricks to watch out for, that manipulative sales people commonly use.
Foot in the door
Manipulators know that you won't just comply with what they want you to. Therefore, they start with a small request, one that is almost impossible to turn down. If you accept complying to it, they are in a position to "work" on you. You have committed to their first request. Now they can proceed with getting you to commit to larger and larger requests, until they have you commit to what they wanted you to all along.
On the street, for example, a person on the street inquires if he or she may ask you something. You'll feel that, of course you can, go ahead! This is the first request you committed to, they now have their foot in your door.
Another way is asking you to try something. It seems there's nothing wrong with trying something, but now you have made an initial commitment that they can work on.
Flattery and other likability tricks
Manipulators want you to like them. It helps hiding the aggressiveness of them approaching you and wanting something from you, leading you, or requesting things of you. Thus, you'll trust them, and let yourself be persuaded by them. You also won't easily be rude to them in order to stand up against manipulations.
So, they'll be nice and friendly to you, and flatter you to be liked, or give you things. They'll tell you how clever you are, how friendly you are, or make you other compliments. They'll be very honest, so as to appear trustworthy, at least about things that don't matter for making the deal.
A person who wants something from you, and is flattering you, is probably doing that for that purpose. Keep your eyes on your own objectives, and on the other person's.
Returning the favor
When a manipulator gives you a gift, he wants to use your feeling of needing to return the favor to have you take an action he wants. You're usually not in a position to return a similarly valued gift, so you'll do something else, to reciprocate. When a company offers you a free coffee, they may do that hoping that you will feel obligated to buy at that company to compensate for what you accepted.
It is usually made hard for you to not accept some gift. When someone hands you something, it is hard not to take it. When you don't want that free item, they may act insulted.
Sometimes the gift you get is not so tangible: someone's time. The longer time you spend with a sales person, the more you'll feel compelled to return the favor of it by buying the product you showed an interest in.
The free bonus
A variation on the free gift is the free bonus. A product you're offered at a steep price comes with a free bonus item, and because of that doesn't seem so pricy anymore. A cell phone subscription may come with a "free" laptop, a briefcase can come with a "free" key ring, a bag of crisps can come with a collectible item for children. Of course, there is no such thing as a free lunch; you are the one paying for the "free" bonus item.
Sometimes it is just tempting to go for that bonus, simply because it is a bonus. But does the bonus item really have value for you? Often, extras are a dime a dozen things, and don't really have that much value for you in particular, when you come to consider it. The real value may be low, especially if it's a usually expensive item, like, for example, a laptop.
It's good to keep in mind that you are paying for that extra thing. You may be paying for more than you intended to buy, when a free bonus is part of the deal.
Comparing to make it look cheaper
To make something expensive look cheaper, advertisers and sales people often have you compare a price to other ones, so that it looks cheaper. So an ad may display an "original price" next to the current price, with the original price being higher.
Negotiating starting with a very high request
The seller starts out with a almost ridiculously high price. You'll feel like you'd have to pay that high price in order to buy, but you have to turn it down. Then he comes with a much lower price, or brings in a manager who will lower the price just for you if you are willing to buy. This seems reasonable compared to the first price, but is actually higher than you at first intended to pay. You accept the offer, because it seems reasonable compared to the initial one.
The first high price is intended for you to increase what you'd want to pay, it's a ploy. If you a one who goes for this first large price then the salesperson knows you as one who is easily manipulated.
To make something seem cheap, very expensive, top line models are shown first. Then the average models are shown, making them seem comparably cheap.
The last item in stock
When you are pondering whether or not to buy an item, a sales person may say that it's the last one in stock. You're now supposed to be called into action because you have only this chance at buying it, and most people will actually make the purchase.
Escape by: Realizing it's a ploy. There's probably more, don't worry about it. When they can sell something, they get it in stock.
The sales person has them too
Pondering the purchase of an item, the sales person says that he has the item too. Escape by: Realizing it's a ploy. Don't take it into account.
Drawing you in
To get some kind of control over you, the manipulator needs to draw you into some kind of situation to have you participate.
Examples: You need to be in a store, and as long as possible, to get to buying something there. So they try to get you into the store. For a sales person to be able to persuade you to buy something, he'll have to get into a situation that he'll be talking with you.
Persistence
By keeping pressuring you, subtly or not so subtly, manipulators may get you to succumb to what they want - Even if it was only to stop them from bugging you.
Hurrying
To force you into a decision without thinking it through, manipulators may press you to hurry. They may put up some kind of deadline, put you into a hasty mood by way of music, or tell you that it's the last item in stock. This scares you, and because of that you'll feel like you'll have to do something.
You "should" buy from this person
You may come to believe that you "should" buy from someone. You have a young person working their way through college and by you buying the item they are promoting you are doing a great thing in helping them in life.
Escape by: If the manipulator does not, in fact, have a position of power, you can resist punishment.
Taking the lead
Manipulators often simply take the lead in a situation, taking initiatives and subtly telling you to do certain things. Most people will simply comply, as long as it doesn't seem to go too much against their interests. This however, opens the door to all kinds of other manipulative behavior.
You're phoned by someone you suspect wants to sell you something. Once you say ‘Hello’ they do not let you get a word in. If you let them, they'll take the lead in the conversation, controlling the direction, and trying to get you to buy something.
Taking away your objections
Someone wanting you to make a particular decision may have you raise your objections. Then, for every objection he offers a solution. When all your objections have thus been counter-acted, you feel like you "should" make the decision.
However, how you really feel about it may not be addressed at all. Also, feeling like you "should" make a particular decision is a bad sign, as it indicates that this is not about your real feelings, but about pressure that's been put on you.
Now let us take a look at the world’s temptation market, which is the world of advertising.
‘Will you leash [restrain] him for your maidens?
Do you think that you can keep or restrain your young daughters from getting caught up with the attractions of the world? Our daughters are getting caught up with what the world sells to them over the media. I was just looking at some current statistics regarding smart phones. Children in kindergarten show that 50 % have one.
One of the world’s greatest emerging markets is closer than you think. Women are the world’s most powerful consumers, and their impact on the economy is growing every year. The global incomes of women are predicted to reach a staggering $18 trillion by 2018, according to global professional services firm.
Marketers do extensive studies to determine why women buy and why they don’t. While there are no secrets and no silver bullets, here are 10 things to keep in mind when marketing and selling to women:
Women drive 70-80% of all consumers purchasing, through a combination of their buying power and influence. Influence means that even when a woman isn’t paying for something herself, she is often the influence or veto vote behind someone else’s purchase.
Women have a multiplier effect. They are multiple markets in one. Because women serve as primary caregivers for children and the elderly in virtually every society in the world, women buy on behalf of the people who live in their households, as well as for extended family (such as older parents and in-laws) and friends.
In today’s evolving society, there is no denying that pop culture, media and entertainment has a significant influence on us. It is everywhere we go. When we turn on the television, some company is marketing a new brand of clothing that is “the next best thing.” In magazines geared towards teen readers, nearly every other page is filled with a Photo-shopped image of a model advertising a line of cosmetics that is sure to make us feel “prettier” and “happier” because “we’re worth it.” In my opinion, I do not think that the correct notion is to believe that this can or needs to be “abolished,” because in reality, businesses will still try to market their brands through conspicuous, often explicit, means.
However, I do believe that young girls need to learn how to perceive and react to social media, pop culture and entertainment in a more positive way. This isn’t taught in schools, and I highly doubt that our parents can honestly understand social media to understand its effects.
The media advertises Photo-shopped images of models that often influences girls to believe that if they buy this product or clothing of theirs, they will achieve a sense of fulfillment and satisfaction that is only achievable through this purchase. However, it has not been shown to give girls more “satisfaction” at all. Rather, it has proven the completely opposite effect. Recent studies have shown that there has been an increase in depression among girls that is linked with both obesity and can be caused by social media. As part of this “waterfall” effect, girls with obesity have been scientifically linked with having lower grades than girls who are not depressed or obese.
Truly, the words hit the bull’s-eye -‘Will you leash [restrain] him [the world’s advertising its design] for your maidens?
6 Will your companions make a banquet of him? Will they apportion him among the merchants?
A ‘banquet’ is an elaborate and formal gathering with all kinds of drinks and rich food. We all have to realize that we have some type of influence on others. Some people have said to me that their sin only affects them. Not so! – What we do impacts others. So, another way to consider this remark is to ask, ‘Will your friends and associates accept what is being dished out or promoted by the current social issues in which you involve yourself in. ‘Will they join in with the promotion or sale of what the world is trying to sell like it is their business to do so? Will they accept certain portions of what is being sold as proper social issues also?
For example in your greed to get rich you come up with some inside information to invest in certain business ventures. Guess what, it is most likely you want to pass on these tidbits of great opportunity to your friends.
7 Can you fill his skin with harpoons, or his head with fishing spears?
You cannot break through to the ungodly no matter how hard you try or force them to see your point of view. They are so thick skinned that nothing can break through to them. Even the large harpoons you see used to cast at whales cannot even pierce through.
8 Lay your hand on him; remember the battle—never do it again!
If you attempt to take on the world in your own strength you will fail. In the Gospel of John chapter 15 our Lord Jesus said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.”I love the statement, ‘I can’t, God can, so why not let Him.’
9 Indeed, any hope of overcoming him is false; shall one not be overwhelmed at the sight of him?
Indeed many people think that giving up to the temptations of the world is easier than fighting or avoiding it. We can be overwhelmed in ecstasy or fear, either one is not good. I have known many individuals who were addicted to drugs and alcohol. Ultimately they surrendered to their addiction figuring it just wasn’t worth the fight to get off of the substances. They all have died.
10 No one is so fierce that he would dare stir him up. Who then is able to stand against Me? 11 Who has preceded Me, that I should pay him? Everything under heaven is Mine
Since he cannot rise up and defeat evil worldly rule, one must stop and think then how can anyone fight against our Great, Holy, and Wonderful God. Our Lord asked His prophet Ezekiel if in fact their existed anyone who could stand against this monster. We read in chapter 22 this, “The people of the land have used oppressions, committed robbery, and mistreated the poor and needy; and they wrongfully oppress the stranger. So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”
Our Holy Ruler of All instructs Job – “If you cannot handle the Junior High team, what are you going to do when you have to take on the National College championship team?” Or as Jeremiah puts it, "If you are faint and weary when you run with the footmen, what are you going to do against horses?"
Our Master and King highlights, "I handle this beast Leviathan all the time.. But Job, what are you going to do? If you cannot handle this beast, how do you ever hope to challenge me?" It is a good question for Job to consider.
12 “I will not conceal his limbs, his mighty power, or his graceful proportions.
The Lord tells Job and us for that matter that He will not hide [conceal] the various parts or portions that Leviathan tempts you with, which to our eyes look good [comely or lovely] and appeal to our desires [flesh].
13 Who can remove his outer coat? Who can approach him with a double bridle? 14 Who can open the doors of his face, with his terrible teeth all around?
A garment covers up what is underneath it. For example someone who is overweight wear black a lot to cover up the spare tire. It is tough to cover up your face. So our Lord is asking Job if he can see Leviathan for what it really is.
A double bridle, also called a full bridle or Weymouth bridle, is a bridle that has two bits and four reins (sometimes called "double reins").It represents an instrument of understanding.
I love what Psalm 32 says in verses 8 and 9, “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.”
The bridle steers the horse. Do you think you can control or steer Leviathan [the world systems] by doubling up your own boundaries.
How come some people are able to drink socially and then others become addicted? Why would anyone want to even get involved with something that might destroy you in the long run [It’s teeth should terrify you from getting involved] People who drink hard liquor comment when they sample some often remark, ‘man that stuff has a bite to it.’ Are you able to discern or understand how bad it is to even approach what Leviathan represents [the world]. It is a poison serpent that you do not want to play with.
15 His rows of scales are his pride, shut up tightly as with a seal; 16 One is so near another that no air can come between them; 17 They are joined one to another, they stick together and cannot be parted.
You can see why many have thought this was the crocodile because of the description of the overlapping shields on his back and sides. But the next section goes far beyond the crocodile. It is obviously a picture of a deeply-entrenched, well-defended system that cannot be overthrown. Here we read of his awesome fierceness and frightening power,
One of the characteristic features of the reptiles is that their bodies are covered with scales. The scales of a reptile may cover the entire body. Reptilian skin, with its waterproof scales, is one of the features of reptiles that makes life on land possible. The scales form a continuous barrier to evaporation. The bodies of reptiles are not wet and slimy like the bodies of fish or amphibians. Reptile skin is dry because reptiles have no skin glands. Reptiles actually have two kinds of scales -- one type more typical of snakes and lizards and the other of crocodiles and turtles. These are different both in their arrangement over the animal's body and in the way they develop.
How do scales develop? They begin as a projection from the skin. Skin has two layers, called the epidermis and the dermis. The epidermis is the top layer. As the scale continues to develop, the upper layer of the epidermis becomes hardened with the protein keratin, and the dermis withdraws, leaving a series of tough overlapping scales.
You might be surprised to learn that we have similar outer laying like the reptiles. We shed our skin. You don't shed it all at once, although you may shed it in patches if you get sunburned. Your skin is constantly replaced, and the keratinized cells on the surface are shed. Much of the dust that accumulates in your house is shed skin! The human skin is the outer covering of the body. In humans, it is the largest organ of the integumentary system. The skin has up to seven layers of ectodermal tissue and guards the ... (squared), depending on a variety of factors. Skin is composed of three primary layers: the epidermis, the dermis and the hypodermis.
Worldly people have developed as it were a thick skin. In which nothing can penetrate their views. They proudly adhere to their ways no matter how many dangers they face. A good example of this profound stubbornness is Harry Randall Truman (October 30, 1896 – May 18, 1980) was a resident of the U.S. state of Washington who lived on Mount St. Helens. He was the owner and caretaker of Mount St. Helens Lodge at Spirit Lake, located at the south end of Spirit Lake at the foot of the mountain in the danger zone at the time of the eruption. He came to brief fame in the months preceding the volcano's 1980 eruption after he stubbornly refused to leave his home despite evacuation orders, and he is presumed to have been killed in the eruption.
People in the world are said to be blinded. In the book of Acts chapter 9 I find it quite amazing that this happened to Paul after submitting to our Lord Jesus Christ. “Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
18 His sneezing flash forth light, and his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 Out of his mouth go burning lights; sparks of fire shoot out. 20 Smoke goes out of his nostrils, as from a boiling pot and burning rushes. 21 His breath kindles coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.
Well what we see in these verses eliminate the possibility of this beast being a crocodile.
To describe the nature of this beast I want to share with you a couple of Scriptures which will shed some light of what is happening here. First of all let us take a look at the prophet Jeremiah chapter 5. If you are familiar with Jeremiah than you know that he was the prophet who was on the scene when the nation of Israel, the city of Jerusalem and The First Temple [built by Solomon] were destroyed. The question we should all be able to answer is ‘why?’. It is because the people forsook the Lord and bought into all the worldly ways of the other nations.
So, now it is judgment day. Look at the words used by our Precious Holy Lord, 14 " Therefore this is what the LORD God Almighty says: "Because the people have spoken these words, I will make my words in your mouth a fire and these people the wood it consumes. 15 O house of Israel," declares the LORD, "I am bringing a distant nation against you — an ancient and enduring nation, a people whose language you do not know, whose speech you do not understand. 16 Their quivers are like an open grave; all of them are mighty warriors. 17 They will devour your harvests and food, devour your sons and daughters; they will devour your flocks and herds, devour your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust. 18 "Yet even in those days," declares the LORD, "I will not destroy you completely. 19 And when the people ask, 'Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?' you will tell them, 'As you have forsaken me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.'
What words were spoken?
Jeremiah 5:12-13 The LORD's people have denied him and have said, "He won't really do anything. We won't have hard times; we won't have war or famine." 13 They have said that the prophets are nothing but windbags and those they have no message from the LORD. [The LORD God Almighty said to me, "Jeremiah, because these people have said such things, I will make my words like a fire in your mouth. The people will be like wood, and the fire will burn them up."]
Psalm 18 verses 7 through 12 teaches us that our Holy God speaks with fire in His mouth.
7 The earth trembled and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains shook; they trembled because he was angry. 8 Smoke rose from his nostrils; consuming fire came from his mouth, burning coals blazed out of it. 9 He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet. 10 He mounted the cherubim and flew; he soared on the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness his covering, his canopy around him — the dark rain clouds of the sky. 12 Out of the brightness of his presence clouds advanced, with hailstones and bolts of lightning.
The consequence of rebellion against God is ultimately fire – from the mouth of God. What He speaks – His word – destroys with fire. And He puts that capability into others.
Going to end times accounts we find two men who have been given that "fire" ability. So now we have to think a little. Are we talking about ‘literal, allegorical, or symbolical fire? Do I think the two men in Jerusalem are going to spit out a mixture of actual fire at their enemies? Not really. But I do think their fiery words will instantly cause destruction. And it will be an immediate destruction very similar to what fire does.
Let’s look at the prophet concept again? Jeremiah spoke with the fire of God on and in his words: a chemical coming out of his mouth? - A flame like a flame thrower? I doubt it.
Another way to consider this is, ‘Did the words that Jeremiah said, happen or did they not happen? Judah was destroyed. The Temple was destroyed. People were killed. People were deported. The land was destroyed as if and sometimes by fire.
As you know Satan who is behind the world system is a copy cat. In the book of Isaiah chapter 14 Satan wanted to be worshiped like God Is worshiped. For example, Almighty God Is a Blessed Holy Trinity- Father, Lord Jesus, and The Holy Spirit. We see that Satan wants to be worshiped at God the Father. He is going to put forth a phony Christ which we know as the Antichrist. And as a copy of our Precious Holy Spirit he puts in the False Prophet.
So, all this long winded remarks I feel needed to be listed in order for us to realize that Leviathan lists incorrect statements. This is a false prophet word in saying that we do not need God Almighty we have the world in which we can all make it.
If you go against Leviathan [the world] and all the lies he tries to feed you then watch out. He will come against you with his own form of fire.
22 Strength dwells in his neck, and sorrow dances before him.
The book of Lamentations was penned by Jeremiah. After the total destruction of Jerusalem and The Temple all that was left were ruins. This is the lot that awaits all who give in their lust of the world –Leviathan. Look at how you would respond when you finally have to pay for yielding to the strong neck beast, “The yoke of my transgressions was bound; They were woven together by His hands, and thrust upon my neck. He made my strength fail; The Lord delivered me into the hands of those whom I am not able to withstand.” Surely, I dance a slow dance of sorrow and my dismay [how my life turned out pursuing what the world offers] leaps before him.
23 The folds of his flesh are joined together; they are firm on him and cannot be moved.
The folds of his flesh are joined together refers to placing together and intertwine your hands in a prayer gesture. It is a symbol of obedience, submission, sincerity and repentance. The joining of hands "leads back to men's early desire to subjugate each other and developed out of the shackling of hands of prisoners!
The joining of hands remained as a symbol of man's servitude and submission and his inability (or even lack of inclination) to grasp a weapon." Christianity adopted "the gesture representing shackled hands as a sign of man's total obedience to divine power."
Man needs to worship. Leviathan attempts to fulfill this need by providing a list of religious alternatives.
24 His heart is as hard as stone, even as hard as the lower millstone.
Hard as the Nether Millstone means ‘Unfeeling’, ‘obdurate’- stubbornly refusing to change one's opinion or course of action. The lower millstone means to ‘lower’ or “nether” There are two millstones involved and are firmly fixed and very hard; the upper stone revolves round it on a shaft, and the corn, running down a tube inserted in the upper stone, is ground by the motion of the upper stone round the lower one
25 When he raises himself up, the mighty are afraid; Because of his crashing they are beside themselves.
To raise one up means to move to a higher position; lift up; elevate: to raise one's hand to cause to rise or stand up. Crashing means complete; total (used for emphasis).Lastly beside themselves means to be overcome with worry or anger; distraught. overcome, out of one's mind, frantic, desperate, distracted, at one's wits' end, frenzied, wound up, worked up. So you put this all together and what do you see.
If you cause Leviathan [the world] to rise up against you even if you are one who has attained success you will ultimately find yourself overcome with worry with what might happen to you.
How many people do you know that were quite successful in this world only to be let down by the world?
26 Though the sword reaches him, it cannot avail; nor does spear, dart, or javelin. 27 He regards iron as straw, and bronze as rotten wood. 28 The arrow cannot make him flee; Sling stones become like stubble to him. 29 Darts are regarded as straw; He laughs at the threat of javelins. 30 His undersides are like sharp potsherds; He spreads pointed marks in the mire.
There is no way that you can take on the world offensively and win. Leviathan is so strong in invulnerable that just one person fighting back will not succeed. You will suffer injury for coming against him [the world]
31 He makes the deep boil like a pot; He makes the sea like a pot of ointment. 32 He leaves a shining wake behind him; one would think the deep had white hair.
Have you ever watched a pot of water on the stove waiting to boil? A good quote is ‘A watched pot never boils’. This statement is something that you say which means if you wait anxiously for something to happen, it seems to take a very long time There's no point sitting by the phone waiting for it to ring.
If you have ever been out on a small boat and a large ocean ship passes you by be aware of the ‘wake’ caused by the larger vessel. You need to steer your boat to the waves or you might capsize.
Overburdening one, mental worries, anxiety, fear, tensions, and stress adversely affect the scalp and hair root. These play a significant issue when it comes to premature graying.
So, we see here what Leviathan [the world] offers. Behind the scene problems are boiling up against you. Although at first things seem pleasant to the senses [everything smells good] your life might face a complete tipsy turn for the worse. You will quickly show the signs of the stress caused by this monster who you took into your life as a pet.
33 On earth there is nothing like him, which is made without fear. 34 He beholds every high thing; He is king over all the children of pride.”
Finally listed for us is the secret of his life, his pride:
What a creature! What a beast! This incredible beast is king over all the sons of pride. He teaches men how to act in pride, independence, and self-sufficiency. He works it into a vast system of control that lays over all industry, labor, government, arts, and every social and economic interactions of every kind, It all works together so that is rises up against God and His power and His might. This is mankind’s will to live without God’s interaction. This is the beast that Job is up against.
Now God's question is, "Job, are you able to handle this?" Of course, God has brought Job to awareness that these are the very things Job has in his own heart and life, and they represent a power over which he has no control.
Now I think at this point (though it is not said in the account), God has made clear to Job what we were informed of at the very beginning of this book: that behind his sickness, his pain, and his protracted agony lays this intense struggle with the flesh, the world systems, and satanic power. We know that this is the way the book began, but Job did not know that until this point.
Now, at last, he is given a strong hint that the reason behind his illness is not his own failure or his own willful misdeeds, but a deep and serious problem so embedded in his nature that he is not even aware that these beasts exist -- yet they are destroying him. This is what God has to deal with, and this is what He still faithfully deals with all of us.
