Job 38:39-41; 39:1-30

Cross-references For Better Understanding a Related Topics b Additional Materials c

Summary

• God has power over all creation. He created and set limits on all things. He uses them to accomplish his purposes.

• This chapter looks at things related to the animate part of nature - land creatures and flying creatures. The previous section (Job 38:1-38) focused on God's rule over the inanimate part of creation.

Details and/or Comments

• This section focuses on God's wisdom and power, and is a good illustration of how Providence works. God providentially rules over these creatures, accomplishing his purposes.

• These examples demonstrate God's wisdom and power; and Job's lack of wisdom and power (and our lack, as well).

• The emphasis here is on God's relationship with these creatures in their normal activities of life. The entrance of sin into the world has complicated matters, by introducing death.

Now, the provision for one animal (such as the lioness - Job 38:39) may result in the death of another (such as the mountain goat or doe - Job 39:1). But this is only a temporary situation; and in the future, it will cease to be this way - Isaiah 11:6-9 and Isaiah 65:25.

Instinctively, all these animals do what they were intended to do in this present age. When the curse of sin is removed from the earth (Romans 8:20-23, etc.), there will be an adjustment in their natures. (Certain characteristics and traits were introduced at the time of the Fall. Such characteristics were not part of their natures before then, and will be changed after Jesus returns!)

• For issues related to the identification of these creatures, see: Animals.

Scripture

(This is a continuation from: Job 38:1-38.)

Job 38:39-41; 39:1-30

Scripture Passage	Comments and Links
Job 38:39 "Can you hunt the prey for the lioness, or satisfy the appetite of the young lions, Job 38:40 when they crouch in their dens, and lie in wait in the thicket? Job 38:41 Who provides for the raven his prey, when his young ones cry to God, and wander for lack of food?	God providentially provides food for the wild animals. In this present world system, with the judgment that came because of sin, this includes animals that kill other animals for food, or that eat animals that have died. Lions - meat-eaters Ravens - eaters of dead animals (if relatively fresh), as well as other types of food
Job 39:1 "Do you know the time when the mountain goats give birth? Do you watch when the doe bears fawns? Job 39:2 Can you number the months that they fulfill? Or do you know the time when they give birth? Job 39:3 They bow themselves, they bring forth their young, they end their labor pains. Job 39:4 Their young ones become strong. They grow up in the open field. They go forth, and don't return again.	These two plant-eating animals are weak, compared to the lion just mentioned. God watches over them during their most defenseless moments (such as when giving birth - a time when they would normally be hidden in a safe place, away from sight). Goats Deer
Job 39:5 "Who has set the wild donkey free? Or who has loosened the bonds of the swift donkey, Job 39:6 Whose home I have made the wilderness, and the salt land his dwelling place? Job 39:7 He scorns the tumult of the city, neither does he hear the shouting of the driver. Job 39:8 The range of the mountains is his pasture, He searches after every green thing.	This is the first of two wild animals that has a domestic counterpart. Being wild, they are free and unrestrained. The wild donkey is, by nature, free and unbound, roaming in places not frequented by humans, seeking his food wherever it may be found. God made him that way. Donkeys
Job 39:9 "Will the wild ox be content to serve you? Or will he stay by your feeding trough? Job 39:10 Can you hold the wild ox in the furrow with his harness? Or will he till the valleys after you? Job 39:11 Will you trust him, because his strength is great? Or will you leave to him your labor? Job 39:12 Will you confide in him, that he will bring home your seed, and gather the grain of your threshing floor?	This is the second of the two wild animals that has a domestic counterpart. The wild ox is, by nature, unable to be tamed. Though literally "strong as an ox," his strength cannot be harnessed for the benefit of humans. God made him that way; people cannot change his nature. Oxen
Job 39:13 "The wings of the ostrich wave proudly; but are they the feathers and plumage of love [OR: of a stork]? Job 39:14 For she leaves her eggs on the earth, warms them in the dust, Job 39:15 and forgets that the foot may crush them, or that the wild animal may trample them. Job 39:16 She deals harshly with her young ones, as if they were not hers. Though her labor is in vain, she is without fear, Job 39:17 because God has deprived her of wisdom, neither has he imparted to her understanding. Job 39:18 When she lifts up herself on high, she scorns the horse and his rider.	God has not given certain animals character traits that others may have. But he still takes care of them. Descriptive words are being used here, in reference to the animals. The word translated as "ostrich" literally refers to "shrill cries," a description of the sound the ostrich makes. The other word, translated as "love," is a descriptive word for the "stork" (which some translations prefer), because of the way the stork takes care of its young. The loud, noisy ostrich ("carefree" - having care for nothing, not even for its offspring) is a remarkable contrast to the caring stork! Ostriches Storks
Job 39:19 "Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane? Job 39:20 Have you made him to leap as a locust? The glory of his snorting is awesome. Job 39:21 He paws in the valley, and rejoices in his strength. He goes out to meet the armed men. Job 39:22 He mocks at fear, and is not dismayed, neither does he turn back from the sword. Job 39:23 The quiver rattles against him, the flashing spear and the javelin. Job 39:24 He eats up the ground with fierceness and rage, neither does he stand still at the sound of the trumpet. Job 39:25 As often as the trumpet sounds he snorts, 'Aha!' He smells the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.	A description of a spirited war-horse; whose strength is given by God. Various metaphors are used to describe the battle. Horses Its galloping or leaping is compared to the jumping of a locust. Locusts
Job 39:26 "Is it by your wisdom that the hawk soars, and stretches her wings toward the south? Job 39:27 Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up, and makes his nest on high? Job 39:28 On the cliff he dwells, and makes his home, on the point of the cliff, and the stronghold. Job 39:29 From there he spies out the prey. His eyes see it afar off. Job 39:30 His young ones also suck up blood. Where the slain are, there he is."	The hawk's flight (and possibly an annual migration to the south): God gave the hawk the wisdom (or instinct) to do it. Hawks The eagle's residence and hunting abilities: These are skills designed by God, and "commanded" to be used. Instinctively, the eagles do what God intends them to do. Eagles

Scripture Passages (Only books that have relevance to this study have active links. The others are in italics.) Genesis  •  Exodus  •  Leviticus  •  Numbers  •  Deuteronomy  •  Joshua  •  Judges  •  Ruth  •  1 Samuel  •  2 Samuel  •  1 Kings  •  2 Kings  •  1 Chronicles  •  2 Chronicles  •  Ezra  •  Nehemiah  •  Esther  •  Job  •  Psalms  •  Proverbs  •  Ecclesiastes  •  Song of Solomon  •  Isaiah  •  Jeremiah  •  Lamentations  •  Ezekiel  •  Daniel  •  Hosea  •  Joel  •  Amos  •  Obadiah  •  Jonah  •  Micah  •  Nahum  •  Habakkuk  •  Zephaniah  •  Haggai  •  Zechariah  •  Malachi Matthew  •  Mark  •  Luke  •  John  •  Acts  •  Romans  •  1 Corinthians  •  2 Corinthians  •  Galatians  •  Ephesians  •  Philippians  •  Colossians  •  1 Thessalonians  •  2 Thessalonians  •  1 Timothy  •  2 Timothy  •  Titus  •  Philemon  •  Hebrews  •  James  •  1 Peter  •  2 Peter  •  1 John  •  2 John  •  3 John  •  Jude  •  Revelation

—— To avoid any copyright issues, all Scripture is either from a public domain translation (such as the World English Bible), my own translation, or a combination of these. ——

The name "Yahweh," when present in an Old Testament passage, represents the Hebrew name for the God of the Bible.

Unless otherwise noted, all notes and comments are © by Dennis Hinks.