mh_parser/vol_split/18 - Job/Chapter 41.xml

<div2 id="Job.xlii" n="xlii" next="Job.xliii" prev="Job.xli" progress="20.58%" title="Chapter XLI">
<h2 id="Job.xlii-p0.1">J O B</h2>
<h3 id="Job.xlii-p0.2">CHAP. XLI.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="Job.xlii-p1">The description here given of the leviathan, a
very large, strong, formidable fish, or water-animal, is designed
yet further to convince Job of his own impotency, and of God's
omnipotence, that he might be humbled for his folly in making so
bold with him as he had done. I. To convince Job of his own
weakness he is here challenged to subdue and tame this leviathan if
he can, and make himself master of him (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.1-Job.41.9" parsed="|Job|41|1|41|9" passage="Job 41:1-9">ver. 1-9</scripRef>), and, since he cannot do this, he
must own himself utterly unable to stand before the great God,
<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.10" parsed="|Job|41|10|0|0" passage="Job 41:10">ver. 10</scripRef>. II. To convince
Job of God's power and terrible majesty several particular
instances are here given of the strength and terror of the
leviathan, which is no more than what God has given him, nor more
than he has under his check, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.11-Job.41.12" parsed="|Job|41|11|41|12" passage="Job 41:11,12">ver.
11, 12</scripRef>. The face of the leviathan is here described to
be terrible (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.12 Bible:Job.41.14" parsed="|Job|41|12|0|0;|Job|41|14|0|0" passage="Job 41:12,14">ver. 12,
14</scripRef>), his scales close (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.15-Job.41.17" parsed="|Job|41|15|41|17" passage="Job 41:15-17">ver. 15-17</scripRef>), his breath and neesings
sparkling (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.18-Job.41.21" parsed="|Job|41|18|41|21" passage="Job 41:18-21">ver. 18-21</scripRef>),
his flesh firm (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.22-Job.41.24" parsed="|Job|41|22|41|24" passage="Job 41:22-24">ver.
22-24</scripRef>), his strength and spirit, when he is attacked,
insuperable (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.25-Job.41.30" parsed="|Job|41|25|41|30" passage="Job 41:25-30">ver.
25-30</scripRef>), his motions turbulent, and disturbing to the
waters (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.9" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.31-Job.41.32" parsed="|Job|41|31|41|32" passage="Job 41:31,32">ver. 31, 32</scripRef>),
so that, upon the whole, he is a very terrible creature, and man is
no match for him, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p1.10" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.33-Job.41.34" parsed="|Job|41|33|41|34" passage="Job 41:33,34">ver. 33,
34</scripRef>.</p>
<scripCom id="Job.xlii-p1.11" osisRef="Bible:Job.41" parsed="|Job|41|0|0|0" passage="Job 41" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="Job.xlii-p1.12" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.1-Job.41.10" parsed="|Job|41|1|41|10" passage="Job 41:1-10" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.41.1-Job.41.10">
<h4 id="Job.xlii-p1.13">Description of Leviathan. (<span class="smallcaps" id="Job.xlii-p1.14">b. c.</span> 1520.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="Job.xlii-p2">1 Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? or
his tongue with a cord <i>which</i> thou lettest down?   2
Canst thou put a hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a
thorn?   3 Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he
speak soft <i>words</i> unto thee?   4 Will he make a covenant
with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?   5 Wilt
thou play with him as <i>with</i> a bird? or wilt thou bind him for
thy maidens?   6 Shall the companions make a banquet of him?
shall they part him among the merchants?   7 Canst thou fill
his skin with barbed irons? or his head with fish spears?   8
Lay thine hand upon him, remember the battle, do no more.   9
Behold, the hope of him is in vain: shall not <i>one</i> be cast
down even at the sight of him?   10 None <i>is so</i> fierce
that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p3">Whether this leviathan be a whale or a
crocodile is a great dispute among the learned, which I will not
undertake to determine; some of the particulars agree more easily
to the one, others to the other; both are very strong and fierce,
and the power of the Creator appears in them. The ingenious Sir
Richard Blackmore, though he admits the more received opinion
concerning the <i>behemoth,</i> that it must be meant of the
<i>elephant,</i> yet agrees with the learned Bochart's notion of
the <i>leviathan,</i> that it is the <i>crocodile,</i> which was so
well known in the river of Egypt. I confess that that which
inclines me rather to understand it of the whale is not only
because it is much larger and a nobler animal, but because, in the
history of the Creation, there is such an express notice taken of
it as is not of any other species of animals whatsoever (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Gen.1.21" parsed="|Gen|1|21|0|0" passage="Ge 1:21">Gen. i. 21</scripRef>, <i>God created great
whales</i>), by which it appears, not only that whales were well
known in those parts in the time of Moses, who lived a little after
Job, but that the creation of whales was generally looked upon as a
most illustrious proof of the eternal power and godhead of the
Creator; and we may conjecture that this was the reason (for
otherwise it seems unaccountable) why Moses there so particularly
mentions the creation of the whales, because God had so lately
insisted upon the bulk and strength of that creature than of any
other, as the proof of his power; and the <i>leviathan</i> is here
spoken of as an inhabitant of the sea (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.31" parsed="|Job|41|31|0|0" passage="Job 41:31"><i>v.</i> 31</scripRef>), which the crocodile is not;
and <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.104.25-Ps.104.26" parsed="|Ps|104|25|104|26" passage="Ps 104:25,26">Ps. civ. 25, 26</scripRef>,
<i>there</i> in <i>the great and wide sea, is that leviathan.</i>
Here in these verses,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p4">I. He shows how unable Job was to master
the leviathan. 1. That he could not catch him, as a little fish,
with angling, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.1-Job.41.2" parsed="|Job|41|1|41|2" passage="Job 41:1,2"><i>v.</i> 1,
2</scripRef>. He had no bait wherewith to deceive him, no hook
wherewith to catch him, no fish-line wherewith to draw him out of
the water, nor a thorn to run through his gills, on which to carry
him home. 2. That he could not make him his prisoner, nor force him
to cry for quarter, or surrender himself at discretion, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.3-Job.41.4" parsed="|Job|41|3|41|4" passage="Job 41:3,4"><i>v.</i> 3, 4</scripRef>. "He knows his own
strength too well to <i>make many supplications to thee,</i> and to
<i>make a covenant with thee</i> to be thy servant on condition
thou wilt save his life." 3. That he could not entice him into a
cage, and keep him there as a bird for the children to play with,
<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.5" parsed="|Job|41|5|0|0" passage="Job 41:5"><i>v.</i> 5</scripRef>. There are
creatures so little, so weak, as to be easily restrained thus, and
triumphed over; but the leviathan is not one of these: he is made
to be the terror, not the sport and diversion, of mankind. 4. That
he could not have him served up to his table; he and his companions
could not make a banquet of him; his flesh is too strong to be fit
for food, and, if it were not, he is not easily caught. 5. That
they could not enrich themselves with the spoil of him: <i>Shall
they part him among the merchants,</i> the bones to one, the oil to
another? If they can catch him, they will; but it is probable that
the art of fishing for whales was not brought to perfection then,
as it has been since. 6. That they could not destroy him, could not
<i>fill his head with fish-spears,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.7" parsed="|Job|41|7|0|0" passage="Job 41:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He kept out of the reach of
their instruments of slaughter, or, if they touched him, they could
not touch him to the quick. 7. That it was to no purpose to attempt
it: <i>The hope of</i> taking <i>him is in vain,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.9" parsed="|Job|41|9|0|0" passage="Job 41:9"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>. If men go about to seize
him, so formidable is he that the very sight of him will appal
them, and make a stout man ready to faint away: <i>Shall not one be
cast down even at the sight of him?</i> and will not that deter the
pursuers from their attempt? Job is told, at his peril, to <i>lay
his hand upon him,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.6" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.8" parsed="|Job|41|8|0|0" passage="Job 41:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. "Touch him if thou dare; <i>remember the battle,</i>
how unable thou art to encounter such a force, and what is
therefore likely to be the issue of the battle, <i>and do no
more,</i> but desist from the attempt." It is good to remember the
battle before we engage in a war, and put off the harness in time
if we foresee it will be to no purpose to gird it on. Job is hereby
admonished not to proceed in his controversy with God, but to make
his peace with him, remembering what the battle will certainly end
in if he come to an engagement. See <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p4.7" osisRef="Bible:Isa.27.4-Isa.27.5" parsed="|Isa|27|4|27|5" passage="Isa 27:4,5">Isa. xxvii. 4, 5</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p5">II. Thence he infers how unable he was to
contend with the Almighty. <i>None is so fierce,</i> none so
fool-hardy, <i>that he dares</i> to <i>stir up</i> the leviathan
(<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p5.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.10" parsed="|Job|41|10|0|0" passage="Job 41:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), it being
known that he will certainly be too hard for them; and <i>who then
is able to stand before God,</i> either to impeach and arraign his
proceedings or to out-face the power of his wrath? If the inferior
creatures that are put under the feet of man, and over whom he has
dominion, keep us in awe thus, how terrible must the majesty of our
great Lord be, who has a sovereign dominion over us and against
whom man has been so long in rebellion! <i>Who can stand before him
when once he is angry?</i></p>
</div><scripCom id="Job.xlii-p5.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.11-Job.41.34" parsed="|Job|41|11|41|34" passage="Job 41:11-34" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:Job.41.11-Job.41.34">
<p class="passage" id="Job.xlii-p6">11 Who hath prevented me, that I should repay
<i>him? whatsoever is</i> under the whole heaven is mine.   12
I will not conceal his parts, nor his power, nor his comely
proportion.   13 Who can discover the face of his garment?
<i>or</i> who can come <i>to him</i> with his double bridle?  
14 Who can open the doors of his face? his teeth <i>are</i>
terrible round about.   15 <i>His</i> scales <i>are his</i>
pride, shut up together <i>as with</i> a close seal.   16 One
is so near to another, that no air can come between them.   17
They are joined one to another, they stick together, that they
cannot be sundered.   18 By his neesings a light doth shine,
and his eyes <i>are</i> like the eyelids of the morning.   19
Out of his mouth go burning lamps, <i>and</i> sparks of fire leap
out.   20 Out of his nostrils goeth smoke, as <i>out</i> of a
seething pot or caldron.   21 His breath kindleth coals, and a
flame goeth out of his mouth.   22 In his neck remaineth
strength, and sorrow is turned into joy before him.   23 The
flakes of his flesh are joined together: they are firm in
themselves; they cannot be moved.   24 His heart is as firm as
a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether <i>millstone.</i>
  25 When he raiseth up himself, the mighty are afraid: by
reason of breakings they purify themselves.   26 The sword of
him that layeth at him cannot hold: the spear, the dart, nor the
habergeon.   27 He esteemeth iron as straw, <i>and</i> brass
as rotten wood.   28 The arrow cannot make him flee:
slingstones are turned with him into stubble.   29 Darts are
counted as stubble: he laugheth at the shaking of a spear.  
30 Sharp stones <i>are</i> under him: he spreadeth sharp pointed
things upon the mire.   31 He maketh the deep to boil like a
pot: he maketh the sea like a pot of ointment.   32 He maketh
a path to shine after him; <i>one</i> would think the deep <i>to
be</i> hoary.   33 Upon earth there is not his like, who is
made without fear.   34 He beholdeth all high <i>things:</i>
he <i>is</i> a king over all the children of pride.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p7">God, having in the <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.42.1-Job.42.6" parsed="|Job|42|1|42|6" passage="Job 42:1-6">foregoing verses</scripRef> shown Job how unable he
was to deal with the leviathan, here sets forth his own power in
that massy mighty creature. Here is,</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p8">I. God's sovereign dominion and
independency laid down, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.11" parsed="|Job|41|11|0|0" passage="Job 41:11"><i>v.</i>
11</scripRef>. 1. That he is indebted to none of his creatures. If
any pretend he is indebted to them, let them make their demand and
prove their debt, and they shall receive it in full and not by
composition: "<i>Who has prevented me?</i>" that is, "who has laid
any obligations upon me by any services he has done me? Who can
pretend to be before-hand with me? If any were, I would not long be
behind-hand with them; I would soon repay them." The apostle quotes
this for the silencing of all flesh in God's presence, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p8.2" osisRef="Bible:Rom.11.35" parsed="|Rom|11|35|0|0" passage="Ro 11:35">Rom. xi. 35</scripRef>. <i>Who hath first given
to him, and it shall be recompensed to him again?</i> As God does
not inflict upon us the evils we have deserved, so he does bestow
upon us the favours we have not deserved. 2. That he is the
rightful Lord and owner of all the creatures: "<i>Whatsoever is
under the whole heaven,</i> animate or inanimate, <i>is mine</i>
(and particularly this leviathan), at my command and disposal, what
I have an incontestable property in and dominion over." All is his;
we are his, all we have and do; and therefore we cannot make God
our debtor; but <i>of thy own, Lord, have we given thee.</i> All is
his, and therefore, if he were indebted to any, he has wherewithal
to repay them; the debt is in good hands. All is his, and therefore
he needs not our services, nor can he be benefited by them. <i>If I
were hungry I would not tell thee, for the world is mine and the
fulness thereof,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p8.3" osisRef="Bible:Ps.50.12" parsed="|Ps|50|12|0|0" passage="Ps 50:12">Ps. l.
12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p9">II. The proof and illustration of it, from
the wonderful structure of the leviathan, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.12" parsed="|Job|41|12|0|0" passage="Job 41:12"><i>v.</i> 12</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p10">1. The parts of his body, the power he
exerts, especially when he is set upon, and the comely proportion
of the whole of him, are what God will not conceal, and therefore
what we must observe and acknowledge the power of God in. Though he
is a creature of monstrous bulk, yet there is in him a <i>comely
proportion.</i> In our eye beauty lies in that which is small
(<i>inest sua gratia parvis</i>—<i>little things have a
gracefulness all their own</i>) because we ourselves are so; but in
God's eye even the leviathan is comely; and, if he pronounce even
the whale, even the crocodile, so, it is not for us to say of any
of the works of his hands that they are ugly or ill-favoured; it is
enough to say so, as we have cause, of our own works. God here goes
about to give us an anatomical view (as it were) of the leviathan;
for his works appear most beautiful and excellent, and his wisdom
and power appear most in them, when they are taken in pieces and
viewed in their several parts and proportions. (1.) The leviathan,
even <i>prima facie</i>—<i>at first sight,</i> appears formidable
and inaccessible, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.13-Job.41.14" parsed="|Job|41|13|41|14" passage="Job 41:13,14"><i>v.</i> 13,
14</scripRef>. Who dares come so near him while he is alive as to
discover or take a distinct view of <i>the face of the garment,</i>
the skin with which he is clothed as with a garment, so near him as
to bridle him like a horse and so lead him away, so near him as to
be within reach of his jaws, which are like <i>a double bridle?</i>
Who will venture to look into his mouth, as we do into a horse's
mouth? He that <i>opens the doors of his face</i> will see <i>his
teeth terrible round about,</i> strong and sharp, and fitted to
devour; it would make a man tremble to think of having a leg or an
arm between them. (2.) <i>His scales are</i> his beauty and
strength, and therefore <i>his pride,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.15-Job.41.17" parsed="|Job|41|15|41|17" passage="Job 41:15-17"><i>v.</i> 15-17</scripRef>. The crocodile is indeed
remarkable for his scales; if we understand it of the whale, we
must understand by these <i>shields</i> (for so the word is) the
several coats of his skin; or there might be whales in that country
with scales. That which is remarkable concerning the scales is that
<i>they stick</i> so close <i>together,</i> by which he is not only
kept warm, for no air can pierce him, but kept safe, for no sword
can pierce him through those scales. Fishes, that live in the
water, are fortified accordingly by the wisdom of Providence, which
gives clothes as it gives cold. (3.) He scatters terror with his
very breath and looks; if he sneeze or spout up water, it is like a
light shining, either with the froth or the light of the sun
shining through it, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.18" parsed="|Job|41|18|0|0" passage="Job 41:18"><i>v.</i>
18</scripRef>. The eyes of the whale are reported to shine in the
night-time like a flame, or, as here, <i>like the eye-lids of the
morning;</i> the same they say of the crocodile. The breath of this
creature is so hot and 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 mouth,</i> even such as one would
think sufficient to set coals on fire, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.19-Job.41.21" parsed="|Job|41|19|41|21" passage="Job 41:19-21"><i>v.</i> 19-21</scripRef>. Probably these
hyperbolical expressions are used concerning the 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> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.5" osisRef="Bible:Ps.18.7-Ps.18.8" parsed="|Ps|18|7|18|8" passage="Ps 18:7,8">Ps. xviii. 7,
8</scripRef>. <i>The breath of the Almighty,</i> like a <i>stream
of brimstone, kindles Tophet,</i> and will for ever keep it
burning, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.30.33" parsed="|Isa|30|33|0|0" passage="Isa 30:33">Isa. xxx. 33</scripRef>. The
wicked one shall be <i>consumed with the breath of his mouth,</i>
<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.7" osisRef="Bible:2Thess.2.8" parsed="|2Thess|2|8|0|0" passage="2Th 2:8">2 Thess. ii. 8</scripRef>. (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,
<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.8" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.22" parsed="|Job|41|22|0|0" passage="Job 41:22"><i>v.</i> 22</scripRef>. 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, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.9" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.23" parsed="|Job|41|23|0|0" passage="Job 41:23"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>.
<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, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.10" osisRef="Bible:Job.6.12" parsed="|Job|6|12|0|0" passage="Job 6:12"><i>ch.</i> vi. 12</scripRef>. <i>His heart is as firm as
a stone,</i> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.11" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.24" parsed="|Job|41|24|0|0" passage="Job 41:24"><i>v.</i> 24</scripRef>.
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
(<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.12" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.25" parsed="|Job|41|25|0|0" passage="Job 41:25"><i>v.</i> 25</scripRef>): <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 (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.13" osisRef="Bible:Job.3.8" parsed="|Job|3|8|0|0" passage="Job 3:8"><i>ch.</i> iii. 8</scripRef>) 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, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.14" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.26-Job.41.29" parsed="|Job|41|26|41|29" passage="Job 41:26-29"><i>v.</i> 26-29</scripRef>. <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> (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.15" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.30" parsed="|Job|41|30|0|0" passage="Job 41:30"><i>v.</i>
30</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.16" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.31-Job.41.32" parsed="|Job|41|31|41|32" passage="Job 41:31,32"><i>v.</i> 31,
32</scripRef>. 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,
<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p10.17" osisRef="Bible:Prov.30.19" parsed="|Prov|30|19|0|0" passage="Pr 30:19">Prov. xxx. 19</scripRef>. 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 class="indent" id="Job.xlii-p11">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> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.1" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.33" parsed="|Job|41|33|0|0" passage="Job 41:33"><i>v.</i> 33</scripRef>. 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> (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.2" osisRef="Bible:Job.7.12" parsed="|Job|7|12|0|0" passage="Job 7:12"><i>ch.</i> vii. 12</scripRef>) 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> <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.3" osisRef="Bible:Job.41.34" parsed="|Job|41|34|0|0" passage="Job 41:34"><i>v.</i> 34</scripRef>.
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 (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.4" osisRef="Bible:Job.40.19" parsed="|Job|40|19|0|0" passage="Job 40:19"><i>ch.</i> xl. 19</scripRef>) 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> (<scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.5" osisRef="Bible:Job.40.11-Job.40.13" parsed="|Job|40|11|40|13" passage="Job 40:11-13"><i>ch.</i> xl. 11-13</scripRef>), 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, <scripRef id="Job.xlii-p11.6" osisRef="Bible:Isa.2.11" parsed="|Isa|2|11|0|0" passage="Isa 2:11">Isa. ii. 11</scripRef>. <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>
</div></div2>