Of Megalodons and Leviathan
Bible in a Year: Proverbs 30-31; 2 Corinthians 11:1-15
Who has a claim against me that I must pay? Everything under heaven belongs to me. Job 41:11
Today's Scripture: Job 41:1-5, 10-14
Insight
Job 41 represents part of the lengthy discourse—which began in Job 40:6—between God and His struggling servant Job about His authority and power proven by the things He’s created. After many chapters of defending his innocence and righteousness, Job can’t maintain his own personal goodness when confronted by the greatness of God, and he responds to His speech with true brokenness and repentance (42:1-6). There can be no question that Job was a good man, but confronted by the God of the universe, Isaiah’s comparison is clear: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6). Creation reminds us of the greatness of God. It reveals our smallness before Him and our deep dependence on Him.
Years ago, a lumpy package arrived in my mailbox. I noticed my best friend’s return address on it and smiled. Joe sometimes sends me unexpected things. This package qualified: Inside was a dark brown shark’s tooth—five inches long.
Joe’s letter explained it was a fossilized tooth from a prehistoric shark, a megalodon, many times bigger than a great white shark. I tried to fathom how big a fish’s jaw would have to be to contain rows of such teeth. Scientists offer a speculative answer: nine by eleven feet. What a sight these creatures must have been!
Scripture doesn’t mention megalodons. But in the book of Job, God describes a sea beast called Leviathan. Job 41 details its impressive frame. “I will not fail to speak of Leviathan’s limbs, its strength and its graceful form,” God tells Job (v. 12). “Who dares open the doors of its mouth, ringed about with fearsome teeth?” (v. 14).
The answer? Only Leviathan’s creator. And here, God reminds Job that as great as this beast might be, it’s nothing compared to its Creator: “Everything under heaven belongs to me” (v. 11).
That meg tooth sits on my desk, a visual token of our Creator’s majesty and creativity. And that unlikely reminder of God’s character comforts me when it feels like the world might eat me up and spit me out.
Reflect & Pray
How do certain aspects of creation remind you of God’s powerful, creative nature? How does His work in creation encourage you?
Dear Father, Your creation speaks of Your splendor and power. Please help me trust You when life feels overwhelming.