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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1710)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>J O B</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. XLI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The description here given of the leviathan, a very large, strong,
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formidable fish, or water-animal, is designed yet further to convince
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Job of his own impotency, and of God's omnipotence, that he might be
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humbled for his folly in making so bold with him as he had done.
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I. To convince Job of his own weakness he is here challenged to subdue
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and tame this leviathan if he can, and make himself master of him
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:1-9">ver. 1-9</A>),
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and, since he cannot do this, he must own himself utterly unable to
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stand before the great God,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:10">ver. 10</A>.
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II. To convince Job of God's power and terrible majesty several
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particular instances are here given of the strength and terror of the
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leviathan, which is no more than what God has given him, nor more than
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he has under his check,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:11,12">ver. 11, 12</A>.
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The face of the leviathan is here described to be terrible
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:12,14">ver. 12, 14</A>),
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his scales close
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:15-17">ver. 15-17</A>),
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his breath and neesings sparkling
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:18-21">ver. 18-21</A>),
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his flesh firm
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:22-24">ver. 22-24</A>),
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his strength and spirit, when he is attacked, insuperable
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:25-30">ver. 25-30</A>),
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his motions turbulent, and disturbing to the waters
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:31,32">ver. 31, 32</A>),
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so that, upon the whole, he is a very terrible creature, and man is no
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match for him,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:33,34">ver. 33, 34</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="Job41_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Description of Leviathan.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1520.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or his tongue
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with a cord <I>which</I> thou lettest down?
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2 Canst thou put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through
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with a thorn?
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3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft
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<I>words</I> unto thee?
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4 Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a
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servant for ever?
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5 Wilt thou play with him as <I>with</I> a bird? or wilt thou bind
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him for thy maidens?
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6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him? shall they part
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him among the merchants?
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7 Canst thou fill his skin with barbed irons? or his head with
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fish spears?
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8 Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.
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9 Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not <I>one</I> be cast
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down even at the sight of him?
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10 None <I>is so</I> fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able
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to stand before me?
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Whether this leviathan be a whale or a crocodile is a great dispute
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among the learned, which I will not undertake to determine; some of the
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particulars agree more easily to the one, others to the other; both are
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very strong and fierce, and the power of the Creator appears in them.
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The ingenious Sir Richard Blackmore, though he admits the more received
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opinion concerning the <I>behemoth,</I> that it must be meant of the
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<I>elephant,</I> yet agrees with the learned Bochart's notion of the
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<I>leviathan,</I> that it is the <I>crocodile,</I> which was so well
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known in the river of Egypt. I confess that that which inclines me
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rather to understand it of the whale is not only because it is much
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larger and a nobler animal, but because, in the history of the
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Creation, there is such an express notice taken of it as is not of any
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other species of animals whatsoever
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ge+1:21">Gen. i. 21</A>,
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<I>God created great whales</I>), by which it appears, not only that
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whales were well known in those parts in the time of Moses, who lived a
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little after Job, but that the creation of whales was generally looked
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upon as a most illustrious proof of the eternal power and godhead of
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the Creator; and we may conjecture that this was the reason (for
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otherwise it seems unaccountable) why Moses there so particularly
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mentions the creation of the whales, because God had so lately insisted
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upon the bulk and strength of that creature than of any other, as the
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proof of his power; and the <I>leviathan</I> is here spoken of as an
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inhabitant of the sea
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
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which the crocodile is not; and
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+104:25,26">Ps. civ. 25, 26</A>,
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<I>there</I> in <I>the great and wide sea, is that leviathan.</I> Here
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in these verses,</P>
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<P>
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I. He shows how unable Job was to master the leviathan.
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1. That he could not catch him, as a little fish, with angling,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:1,2"><I>v.</I> 1, 2</A>.
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He had no bait wherewith to deceive him, no hook wherewith to catch
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him, no fish-line wherewith to draw him out of the water, nor a thorn
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to run through his gills, on which to carry him home.
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2. That he could not make him his prisoner, nor force him to cry for
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quarter, or surrender himself at discretion,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:3,4"><I>v.</I> 3, 4</A>.
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"He knows his own strength too well to <I>make many supplications to
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thee,</I> and to <I>make a covenant with thee</I> to be thy servant on
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condition thou wilt save his life."
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3. That he could not entice him into a cage, and keep him there as a
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bird for the children to play with,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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There are creatures so little, so weak, as to be easily restrained
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thus, and triumphed over; but the leviathan is not one of these: he is
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made to be the terror, not the sport and diversion, of mankind.
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4. That he could not have him served up to his table; he and his
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companions could not make a banquet of him; his flesh is too strong to
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be fit for food, and, if it were not, he is not easily caught.
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5. That they could not enrich themselves with the spoil of him:
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<I>Shall they part him among the merchants,</I> the bones to one, the
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oil to another? If they can catch him, they will; but it is probable
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that the art of fishing for whales was not brought to perfection then,
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as it has been since.
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6. That they could not destroy him, could not <I>fill his head with
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fish-spears,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>.
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He kept out of the reach of their instruments of slaughter, or, if they
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touched him, they could not touch him to the quick.
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7. That it was to no purpose to attempt it: <I>The hope of</I> taking
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<I>him is in vain,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:9"><I>v.</I> 9</A>.
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If men go about to seize him, so formidable is he that the very sight
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of him will appal them, and make a stout man ready to faint away:
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<I>Shall not one be cast down even at the sight of him?</I> and will
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not that deter the pursuers from their attempt? Job is told, at his
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peril, to <I>lay his hand upon him,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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"Touch him if thou dare; <I>remember the battle,</I> how unable thou
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art to encounter such a force, and what is therefore likely to be the
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issue of the battle, <I>and do no more,</I> but desist from the
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attempt." It is good to remember the battle before we engage in a war,
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and put off the harness in time if we foresee it will be to no purpose
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to gird it on. Job is hereby admonished not to proceed in his
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controversy with God, but to make his peace with him, remembering what
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the battle will certainly end in if he come to an engagement. See
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+27:4,5">Isa. xxvii. 4, 5</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. Thence he infers how unable he was to contend with the Almighty.
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<I>None is so fierce,</I> none so fool-hardy, <I>that he dares</I> to
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<I>stir up</I> the leviathan
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:10"><I>v.</I> 10</A>),
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it being known that he will certainly be too hard for them; and <I>who
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then is able to stand before God,</I> either to impeach and arraign his
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proceedings or to out-face the power of his wrath? If the inferior
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creatures that are put under the feet of man, and over whom he has
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dominion, keep us in awe thus, how terrible must the majesty of our
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great Lord be, who has a sovereign dominion over us and against whom
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man has been so long in rebellion! <I>Who can stand before him when
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once he is angry?</I></P>
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<A NAME="Job41_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_14"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="Job41_34"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay <I>him? whatsoever
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is</I> under the whole heaven is mine.
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12 I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely
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proportion.
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13 Who can discover the face of his garment? <I>or</I> who can come
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<I>to him</I> with his double bridle?
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14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth <I>are</I> terrible
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round about.
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15 <I>His</I> scales <I>are his</I> pride, shut up together <I>as with</I> a
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close seal.
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16 One is so near to another, that no air can come between
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them.
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17 They are joined one to another, they stick together, that
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they cannot be sundered.
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18 By his neesings a light doth shine, and his eyes <I>are</I> like
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the eyelids of the morning.
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19 Out of his mouth go burning lamps, <I>and</I> sparks of fire leap
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out.
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20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as <I>out</I> of a seething pot
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or caldron.
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21 His breath kindleth coals, and a flame goeth out of his
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mouth.
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22 In his neck remaineth strength, and sorrow is turned into
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joy before him.
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23 The flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm
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in themselves; they cannot be moved.
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24 His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of
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the nether <I>millstone.</I>
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25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by reason
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of breakings they purify themselves.
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26 The sword of him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear,
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the dart, nor the habergeon.
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27 He esteemeth iron as straw, <I>and</I> brass as rotten wood.
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28 The arrow cannot make him flee: slingstones are turned with
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him into stubble.
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29 Darts are counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of
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a spear.
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30 Sharp stones <I>are</I> under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed
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things upon the mire.
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31 He maketh the deep to boil like a pot: he maketh the sea
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like a pot of ointment.
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32 He maketh a path to shine after him; <I>one</I> would think the
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deep <I>to be</I> hoary.
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33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is made without fear.
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34 He beholdeth all high <I>things:</I> he <I>is</I> a king over all the
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children of pride.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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God, having in the
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+42:1-6">foregoing verses</A>
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shown Job how unable he was to deal with the leviathan, here sets forth
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his own power in that massy mighty creature. Here is,</P>
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<P>
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I. God's sovereign dominion and independency laid down,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:11"><I>v.</I> 11</A>.
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1. That he is indebted to none of his creatures. If any pretend he is
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indebted to them, let them make their demand and prove their debt, and
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they shall receive it in full and not by composition: "<I>Who has
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prevented me?</I>" that is, "who has laid any obligations upon me by
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any services he has done me? Who can pretend to be before-hand with me?
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If any were, I would not long be behind-hand with them; I would soon
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repay them." The apostle quotes this for the silencing of all flesh in
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God's presence,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+11:35">Rom. xi. 35</A>.
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<I>Who hath first given to him, and it shall be recompensed to him
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again?</I> As God does not inflict upon us the evils we have deserved,
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so he does bestow upon us the favours we have not deserved.
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2. That he is the rightful Lord and owner of all the creatures:
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"<I>Whatsoever is under the whole heaven,</I> animate or inanimate,
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<I>is mine</I> (and particularly this leviathan), at my command and
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disposal, what I have an incontestable property in and dominion over."
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All is his; we are his, all we have and do; and therefore we cannot
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make God our debtor; but <I>of thy own, Lord, have we given thee.</I>
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All is his, and therefore, if he were indebted to any, he has
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wherewithal to repay them; the debt is in good hands. All is his, and
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therefore he needs not our services, nor can he be benefited by them.
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<I>If I were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is mind and
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the fulness thereof,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+50:12">Ps. l. 12</A>.</P>
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<P>
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II. The proof and illustration of it, from the wonderful structure of
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the leviathan,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. The parts of his body, the power he exerts, especially when he is
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set upon, and the comely proportion of the whole of him, are what God
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will not conceal, and therefore what we must observe and acknowledge
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the power of God in. Though he is a creature of monstrous bulk, yet
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there is in him a <I>comely proportion.</I> In our eye beauty lies in
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that which is small (<I>inest sua gratia parvis</I>--<I>little things
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have a gracefulness all their own</I>) because we ourselves are so; but
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in God's eye even the leviathan is comely; and, if he pronounce even
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the whale, event he crocodile, so, it is not for us to say of any of
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the works of his hands that they are ugly of ill-favoured; it is enough
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to say so, as we have cause, of our own works. God here goes about to
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give us an anatomical view (as it were) of the leviathan; for his works
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appear most beautiful and excellent, and his wisdom and power appear
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most in them, when they are taken in pieces and viewed in their several
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parts and proportions.
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(1.) The leviathan, even <I>prima facie</I>--<I>at first sight,</I>
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appears formidable and inaccessible,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:13,14"><I>v.</I> 13, 14</A>.
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Who dares come so near him while he is alive as to discover or take a
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distinct view of <I>the face of the garment,</I> the skin with which he
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is clothed as with a garment, so near him as to bridle him like a horse
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and so lead him away, so near him as to be within reach of his jaws,
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which are like <I>a double bridle?</I> Who will venture to look into
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his mouth, as we do into a horse's mouth? He that <I>opens the doors of
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his face</I> will see <I>his teeth terrible round about,</I> strong and
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sharp, and fitted to devour; it would make a man tremble to think of
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having a leg or an arm between them.
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(2.) <I>His scales are</I> his beauty and strength, and therefore
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<I>his pride,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:15-17"><I>v.</I> 15-17</A>.
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The crocodile is indeed remarkable for his scales; if we understand it
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of the whale, we must understand by these <I>shields</I> (for so the
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word is) the several coats of his skin; or there might be whales in
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that country with scales. That which is remarkable concerning the
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scales is that <I>they stick</I> so close <I>together,</I> by which he
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is not only kept warm, for no air can pierce him, but kept safe, for no
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sword can pierce him through those scales. Fishes, that live in the
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water, are fortified accordingly by the wisdom of Providence, which
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gives clothes as it gives cold.
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(3.) He scatters terror with his very breath and looks; if he sneeze or
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spout up water, it is like a light shining, either with the froth or
|
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the light of the sun shining through it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.
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The eyes of the whale are reported to shine in the night-time like a
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flame, or, as here, <I>like the eye-lids of the morning;</I> the same
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|
they say of the crocodile. The breath of this creature is so hot and
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fiery, from the great natural heat within, that <I>burning lamps and
|
|
sparks of fire,</I> smoke and a flame, are said to <I>go out of his
|
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mouth,</I> even such as one would think sufficient to set coals on
|
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fire,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:19-21"><I>v.</I> 19-21</A>.
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Probably these hyperbolical expressions are used concerning the
|
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leviathan to intimate the terror of the wrath of God, for that is it
|
|
which all this is designed to convince us of. <I>Fire out of his mouth
|
|
devours,</I>
|
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+18:7,8">Ps. xviii. 7, 8</A>.
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<I>The breath of the Almighty,</I> like a <I>stream of brimstone,
|
|
kindles Tophet,</I> and will for ever keep it burning,
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+30:33">Isa. xxx. 33</A>.
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The wicked one shall be <I>consumed with the breath of his mouth,</I>
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Th+2:8">2 Thess. ii. 8</A>.
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(4.) He is of invincible strength and most terrible fierceness, so that
|
|
he frightens all that come in his way, but is not himself frightened by
|
|
any. Take a view of his neck, and there remains strength,
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>.
|
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His head and his body are well set together. <I>Sorrow rejoices</I> (or
|
|
<I>rides in triumph) before him,</I> for he makes terrible work
|
|
wherever he comes. Or, Those storms which are the sorrow of others are
|
|
his joys; what is tossing to others is dancing to him. His flesh is
|
|
well knit,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:23"><I>v.</I> 23</A>.
|
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<I>The flakes</I> of it <I>are joined</I> so closely <I>together,</I>
|
|
and <I>are so firm,</I> that it is hard to pierce it; he is as if he
|
|
were all bone. <I>His flesh is of brass,</I> which Job had complained
|
|
his was not,
|
|
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|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+6:12"><I>ch.</I> vi. 12</A>.
|
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|
<I>His heart is as firm as a stone,</I>
|
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|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:24"><I>v.</I> 24</A>.
|
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|
|
He has spirit equal to his bodily strength, and, though he is bulky, he
|
|
is sprightly, and not unwieldy. As his flesh and skin cannot be
|
|
pierced, so his courage cannot be daunted; but, on the contrary, he
|
|
daunts all he meets and puts them into a consternation
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:25"><I>v.</I> 25</A>):
|
|
|
|
<I>When he raises up himself</I> like a moving mountain in the great
|
|
waters even <I>the mighty are afraid</I> lest he should overturn their
|
|
ships or do them some other mischief. <I>By reason of the breakings</I>
|
|
he makes in the water, which threaten death, <I>they purify
|
|
themselves,</I> confess their sins, betake themselves to their prayers,
|
|
and get ready for death. We read
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+3:8"><I>ch.</I> iii. 8</A>)
|
|
|
|
of those who, when they raise up a leviathan, are in such a fright that
|
|
they curse the day. It was a fear which, it seems, used to drive some
|
|
to their curses and others to their prayers; for, as now, so then there
|
|
were seafaring men of different characters and on whom the terrors of
|
|
the sea have contrary effects; but all agree there is a great fright
|
|
among them when the leviathan raises up himself.
|
|
|
|
(5.) All the instruments of slaughter that are used against him do him
|
|
no hurt and therefore are not error to him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:26-29"><I>v.</I> 26-29</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The sword</I> and <I>the spear,</I> which wound nigh at hand, are
|
|
nothing to him; the <I>darts, arrows,</I> and <I>sling-stones,</I>
|
|
which wound at a distance, do him no damage; nature has so well armed
|
|
him <I>cap-a-pie--at all points,</I> against them all. The defensive
|
|
weapons which men use when they engage with the leviathan, as <I>the
|
|
habergeon,</I> or breast-plate, often serve men no more than their
|
|
offensive weapons; <I>iron and brass</I> are to him <I>as straw and
|
|
rotten wood,</I> and he laughs at them. It is the picture of a
|
|
hard-hearted sinner, that despises the terrors of the Almighty and
|
|
laughs at all the threatenings of his word. The leviathan so little
|
|
dreads the weapons that are used against him that, to show how hardy he
|
|
is, he chooses to lie on the <I>sharp stones, the sharp-pointed
|
|
things</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
and lies as easy there as if he lay on the soft mire. Those that would
|
|
endure hardness must inure themselves to it.
|
|
|
|
(6.) His very motion in the water troubles it and puts it into a
|
|
ferment,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:31,32"><I>v.</I> 31, 32</A>.
|
|
|
|
When he rolls, and tosses, and makes a stir in the water, or is in
|
|
pursuit of his prey, <I>he makes the deep to boil like a pot,</I> he
|
|
raises a great froth and foam upon the water, such as is upon a boiling
|
|
pot, especially <I>a pot of</I> boiling <I>ointment;</I> and <I>he
|
|
makes a path to shine after him,</I> which even <I>a ship in the midst
|
|
of the sea</I> does not,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+30:19">Prov. xxx. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
One may trace the leviathan under water by the bubbles on the surface;
|
|
and yet who can take that advantage against him in pursuing him? Men
|
|
track hares in the snow and kill them, but he that tracks the leviathan
|
|
dares not come near him.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. Having given this particular account of <I>his parts, and his power,
|
|
and his comely proportion,</I> he concludes with four things in general
|
|
concerning this animal:--
|
|
|
|
(1.) That he is a non-such among the inferior creatures: <I>Upon earth
|
|
there is not his like,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>.
|
|
|
|
No creature in this world is comparable to him for strength and terror.
|
|
Or the earth is here distinguished from the sea: <I>His dominion is not
|
|
upon the earth</I> (so some), but <I>in the waters.</I> None of all the
|
|
savage creatures upon earth come near him for bulk and strength, and it
|
|
is well for man that he is confined to the waters and there has <I>a
|
|
watch set upon him</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+7:12"><I>ch.</I> vii. 12</A>)
|
|
|
|
by the divine Providence, for, if such a terrible creature were allowed
|
|
to roam and ravage upon this earth, it would be an unsafe and
|
|
uncomfortable habitation for the children of men, for whom it is
|
|
intended.
|
|
|
|
(2.) That he is more bold and daring than any other creature
|
|
whatsoever: He <I>is made without fear.</I> The creatures are as they
|
|
are made; the leviathan has courage in his constitution, nothing can
|
|
frighten him; other creatures, quite contrary, seem as much designed
|
|
for flying as this for fighting. So, among men, some are in their
|
|
natural temper bold, others are timorous.
|
|
|
|
(3.) That he is himself very proud; though lodged in the deep, yet
|
|
<I>he beholds all high things,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+41:34"><I>v.</I> 34</A>.
|
|
|
|
The rolling waves, the impending rocks, the hovering clouds, and the
|
|
ships under sail with top and top-gallant, this mighty animal beholds
|
|
with contempt, for he does not think they either lessen him or threaten
|
|
him. Those that are great are apt to be scornful.
|
|
|
|
(4.) <I>That he is a king over all the children of pride,</I> that is,
|
|
he is the proudest of all proud ones. He has more to be proud of (so
|
|
Mr. Caryl expounds it) than the proudest people in the world have; and
|
|
so it is a mortification to the haughtiness and lofty looks of men.
|
|
Whatever bodily accomplishments men are proud of, and puffed up with,
|
|
the leviathan excels them and is a <I>king over them.</I> Some read it
|
|
so as to understand it of God: <I>He that beholds all high things, even
|
|
he, is King over all the children of pride;</I> he can tame the
|
|
behemoth
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+40:19"><I>ch.</I> xl. 19</A>)
|
|
|
|
and the leviathan, big as they are, and stout-hearted as they are. This
|
|
discourse concerning those two animals was brought in to prove that it
|
|
is God only who can <I>look upon proud men and abase them, bring them
|
|
low</I> and <I>tread them down,</I> and <I>hide them in the dust</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Job+40:11-13"><I>ch.</I> xl. 11-13</A>),
|
|
|
|
and so it concludes with a <I>quod erat demonstrandum--which was to be
|
|
demonstrated;</I> there is one that <I>beholds all high things,</I>
|
|
and, wherein men deal proudly, is above them; he is <I>King over all
|
|
the children of pride,</I> whether brutal or rational, and can make
|
|
them all either bend or break before him,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+2:11">Isa. ii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>The lofty looks of man shall be humbled, and the haughtiness of men
|
|
shall be bowed down, and</I> thus <I>the Lord alone shall be
|
|
exalted.</I></P>
|
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