Like the previous three chapters, much of Job 41 is designed to help Job come to terms with his limitations. In God’s first speech (Job 38-39), Job was challenged to claim wisdom and power over the created and visible world order. In God’s second speech (Job 40-41), it would seem that Job is being challenged to demonstrate his power over supernatural evil. How does Job, or any other human, measure up against the forces of death and the devil? If Behemoth personified the power of death (40:15-26), Leviathan conveys to us the terrors of Satan himself (41:1-34). He is the embodiment of cosmic evil. Some have understood these creatures to be no more than actual animals we might find nowadays in a zoo. After all, as a powerful river and land animal, Behemoth could be a hippopotamus. And with his terrifying rows of teeth (v 14) and back covered with impregnable shields of hard armor (v 15-17), Leviathan sure sounds like a crocodile! “So Job, how about sitting along the bank with your fishing line, and see how you get along if the mighty Leviathan takes your bait! Would you simply tie up his tongue and jaw to make him harmless?” (v 1-2). “Do you think he will beg you to show him mercy?” (v 3-4). “Will you take him home on a leash so your children can have a new pet?” (v 5). “Or will you kill him for a profit?” (v 6-7). No way. Leviathan is far too dangerous and fierce. “If you mess with him, Job, you’ll have a battle on your hands that you won’t soon forget!” (v 8-10a). Then God makes His point: “Who then is he who can stand before Me?” (v 10b). “If you think it would be scary to meet Leviathan, Job, just ask yourself what it would be like to stand in My presence!” God created everything under heaven, including Leviathan. He owns the universe, and He owns us. All authority belongs to Him. God owes us nothing and is accountable to no one (v 11). As we think about what this means for us, we should also think about what it means for Leviathan. Proud and invincible, he fears no human. But this scary creature of Job 41 is more than your typical carnivorous reptile! This is a storybook monster, breathing fire (v 18-21) and laughing at any weapon fashioned against him (v 26-29). Elsewhere in Scripture, Leviathan is a terrifying dragon of the sea, with flames coming from the mouths of its many heads. Symbolic of hostile spiritual forces, Leviathan is the archenemy of God. This is the villain of the opening two chapters of the book, now reappearing in all his evil terror at the end. But this Satan is on God’s leash, subject to His will and power. While Job cannot begin to take on the problem of evil, God can. For further meditation: