If you lay a hand on it, you will remember the struggle and never do it again! – Job 41:8

Today’s Scripture Reading (June 30, 2018): Job 41

For most of history, the Sperm Whale was a strange beast, the largest of the whales, that was only really viewed from a distance. And the size of the whale alone made the animal seem fierce. Add to that size the barnacles and the scars that appeared on the whale, and the resulting image only served to deepen the mystery of this majestic whale. We know now that the Sperm Whale is more vulnerable than maybe it once seemed, that it is a “gentle giant” in the deep. But for most of history, it was a fierce giant of the deep

Of course, the struggle of Captain Ahab against the Sperm Whale in “Moby Dick” is an excellent illustration of exactly what God is saying to Job. No, we do not know that the leviathan of Job was a mysterious Sperm Whale. Biblical experts have argued that the Leviathan was anything from a mythical creature, maybe a dragon - which I believe might have been inspired by the sightings of these giants of the sea, to a very large crocodile. But either way, the struggle of Ahab against the White Whale illustrates God’s point. Battling the great beast of the sea is not something that, even now, we would do without proper preparation.

But God, on the other hand, is the creator of the leviathan. Job needs to pay attention to this God of the storm because even the leviathan listens in his presence. This creature, which is beyond Job’s understanding and power, purrs like a kitten at the touch of God

The words are intended to give Job, and the readers of the story, some perspective on God. There is no creature, and no problem too big for him. And, therefore, we should live in great respect of this God, and we should also gain an understanding that we, his creation, moving with his Spirit, can solve the problems that confront us. Like Job, there may be a moment when we are left questioning our place in this world, and there may be a moment when the God of the storm has to come and remind us of his power, but “in Him” we have all the power we need to take care of the problems of this life.

But first, we must consider the leviathan and the God who created even the giants that scare us.

Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 42