Halfway through God’s long speech, Job is given an opportunity to respond. “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” (v 2, NLT). These are probing questions. Does Job really believe he has some helpful hints to help God run the world better? After losing his wealth, health, and family, Job might have said, “Yes, as a matter of fact, God, I do have a few complaints to register with You!” Doesn’t God owe him at least some kind of explanation? Instead, through all the rhetorical questions of the past two chapters, Job has simply learned that he has neither the power nor knowledge to stand in judgment of the Almighty, or to assume He has not gotten things right. By this point, apparently Job has absorbed the lesson: “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say” (v 4-5, NLT). In awed silence, Job can only bow in humility before his Creator. Having been cut down to size, he has aptly decided, “I think I’ll just shut my big mouth now.” But is Job really convinced that he was out of line? Just to make sure, God now presents Job with two more chapters of unanswerable questions. Again, Job is challenged to “man up” and explain what gives him the right to put God on trial, discrediting divine justice in order to justify himself (v 6-8). So as Job 40 continues, the LORD invites him to put on his regal clothes and try being the judge of all the earth. “Since I’ve been making a mess of things, Job, please show me how it’s done. I’m so glad you’re here to help!” (v 9-14). God is not saying simply that the task of dealing with evil is harder than Job thinks and that He would appreciate Job’s patience if He doesn’t get it right all the time. Not at all! Rather, God is saying that Job hasn’t begun to understand what it will mean to finally conquer death and subdue evil. Supernatural forces are powerfully at work in this world, as two word pictures will make it more clear: the first is named Behemoth and the second is called Leviathan. Behemoth means something like “super beast,” and this creature seems to resemble a hippopotamus. He eats grass and lives in the marsh or by a river. Yet Behemoth is uniquely powerful. Could it be that this is the beastly power of death personified? Behemoth is always present, always hungry, always devouring—like the grim reaper. He cannot be tamed nor captured. No one is able to conquer this mighty foe—except “Him who made him” (v 15-24). For further meditation: