God Controls Nature
Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Fear of the Lord

Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Fear of the Lord

Introduction
“Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind” (Job 38:1–3; 40:1–5; 41:1–11). God teaches Job—and us—the difference between Creator and creature.

God Questions the Questioner (Job 38:1–3; 40:1–5)
Job wanted an audience to argue his case. God answered with a storm and a question: “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” God required Job to stand like a man and listen. Job realized he had spoken rashly. He put his hand over his mouth and yielded to God’s wisdom. Humility is the only fitting posture before the Almighty.

Creator and His Works (Job 38–39)
God pointed to foundations, seas, dawn, snow, hail, lightning, constellations, and the paths of wild creatures. Job had not laid a single stone of the world nor governed a single storm. The One who orders Orion and Pleiades orders all. When God displays creation, He is not boasting; He is teaching us to see His wisdom and power rightly.

Behemoth: Strength Beyond Man (Job 40:15–24)
“Behold now Behemoth, which I made with you.” Massive strength, bones like bronze, sinews like cables, a tail like a cedar—this creature eats without fear and rests unshaken by raging waters. Only his Maker can master him. If man cannot subdue such a beast, man cannot sit in judgment over God.

Leviathan: No Man Can Master (Job 41:1–34)
“Can you draw out Leviathan with a hook?” No chain, spear, dart, or javelin brings him down. His scales are tight as a shield wall. His very appearance overwhelms the bravest heart. God’s point is clear: “Who then is able to stand against Me?” The fear Leviathan inspires is a faint picture of the reverent awe owed to the Lord who made him.

What Proper Fear Produces
Clean Living: “The fear of the Lord is clean” (Psalm 19:9). Reverence purifies motives and conduct.

Turning from Evil: “By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil” (Proverbs 16:6). Fear motivates repentance.

Pursuit of Holiness: “Perfecting holiness in the fear of God” (2 Corinthians 7:1). Reverence drives separation from defilement.

Zeal for Souls: “Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (2 Corinthians 5:10–11). Judgment is certain; therefore teaching is urgent.

Life’s Whole Duty: “Fear God and keep His commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13). This defines our purpose.

Acceptable Worship: “Serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear, for our God is a consuming fire” (Hebrews 12:28–29).

Trust and Obedience When We Do Not See
Job learned to trust God’s character without having all the background. Faith responds in obedience even when reasons are hidden. Jesus taught entry into the kingdom by new birth “of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5). We put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27). God has revealed the way; faith receives it without bargaining.

Behemoth, Leviathan, and Us
These mighty creatures teach scale. If the works are beyond us, the Maker’s wisdom certainly surpasses us. Reverent fear does not paralyze; it stabilizes, purifies, and sends us to call others to salvation.

Behemoth, Leviathan, and the Fear of the Lord Sermon Outline:

• Text and Theme

  • Primary Text: Job 38:1–3; 40:1–5; 40:15–24; 41:1–11

  • Theme: Proper fear grows from seeing God’s power and humbling ourselves under His rule.

   

• I. God Questions the Questioner (Job 38:1–3; 40:1–5)

  • God speaks from the whirlwind.

  • Charge: “Words without knowledge.”

  • Job’s response: Hand over mouth; cease contending.

   

• II. Creator Displayed in Creation (Job 38–39)

  • Foundations and seas (38:4–11).

  • Sky treasuries and storm (38:22–30, 34–38).

  • Constellations and ordinances (38:31–33).

  • Wild creatures under His providence (Job 39).

  • Application: The One who orders creation can be trusted with our circumstances.

   

• III. Behemoth: Power Man Cannot Harness (Job 40:15–24)

  • “Made with you”—creature under God, not man.

  • Strength, bones, sinews, tail; unshaken by floods.

  • Only the Maker can bring sword near.

  • Application: If we cannot master Behemoth, we cannot judge God.

   

• IV. Leviathan: Terror that Teaches Reverence (Job 41:1–34)

  • No hook, cord, spear, or javelin prevails.

  • Armor-like scales; overwhelming presence.

  • God’s conclusion: “Who then is able to stand against Me?” (41:10–11).

  • Application: Fear of the Lord reorders pride, speech, and choices.

   

• V. What Reverent Fear Produces

  • Clean living (Psalm 19:9).

  • Turning from evil (Proverbs 16:6).

  • Holiness pursued (2 Corinthians 7:1).

  • Zeal for evangelism (2 Corinthians 5:10–11).

  • Life’s duty summarized (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

  • Acceptable worship (Hebrews 12:28–29).

   

• VI. Gospel Appeal: Trust and Obey

  • New birth “of water and Spirit” (John 3:5).

  • Put on Christ in baptism (Galatians 3:27).

  • Live soberly because “your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion” (1 Peter 5:8).

  • Today is the day to yield.

   

Call to Action
Let us humble ourselves before the Lord who laid earth’s foundations and who alone can master Behemoth and Leviathan. Yield your questions to His wisdom. Turn from known sin. Pursue holiness in the fear of God. If you need to be born of water and Spirit, or as a Christian to confess sin and be restored, respond today.

Key Takeaways

• Reverent fear begins by seeing God’s power and our limits (Job 38:1–3; 41:10–11).

• Fear of the Lord turns us from evil and cleanses our way (Proverbs 16:6; Psalm 19:9).

• Holy living matures where godly fear is cherished (2 Corinthians 7:1).

• Judgment moves us to persuade souls now (2 Corinthians 5:10–11).

• Life’s purpose stands clear: fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).

• Acceptable worship is offered with reverence and godly fear (Hebrews 12:28–29).

• Salvation is entered through the new birth and union with Christ (John 3:5; Galatians 3:27).

Scripture Reference List

• Job 38:1–3; 38:4–11; 38:22–38; 38:31–33; 39 (overview of creatures)

• Job 40:1–5; 40:15–24

• Job 41:1–34

• Psalm 19:9 — The fear of the Lord is clean.

• Proverbs 16:6 — By the fear of the Lord one departs from evil.

• Ecclesiastes 12:13 — Fear God and keep His commandments.

• 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 — Judgment seat and persuading men.

• 2 Corinthians 7:1 — Perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

• Hebrews 12:28–29 — Serve with reverence and godly fear; God is a consuming fire.

• John 3:5 — Born of water and the Spirit.

• Galatians 3:27 — Baptized into Christ, put on Christ.

• 1 Peter 5:8 — Your adversary the devil like a roaring lion.

Prepared by Bobby Stafford of the church of Christ at Granby, MO