Job 41:34

The leviathan described here seems beyond doubt to be the crocodile, not the dolphin or the whale that some learned men have argued for... Nothing could be more vivid than the accounts of each. Nothing could be more forceful than the conclusion for Job or anyone else. If such is the might of mere animals, the result of God's creative will, what folly it is to resist, criticise, or even judge His ways!

If in behemoth we see the spirit of falling away from revealed truth in religion, in leviathan we see it in civil government... But this is looking ahead to how it comes to a head in the last days. The principle is independence of God, trying to make a name for itself. It has been visible since the days of Cain, who built a city, and of Nimrod, who founded the first great world-empire. This is not limited to whole nations. The same spirit of strong self-will shows itself in the individual too. It tolerates no contradiction. It refuses to be under authority, and nothing can tame it. Who has ever bound and held the proud will of man?

God now shows Job, under the figure of leviathan, that the power of Satan is too great for him. What a terrible one this king over all the sons of pride is. This world has rejected the King of Righteousness and chosen the horrible slavery of Satan instead. But what could God's purpose be in describing the power of the adversary this way? Surely it was to lead Job into complete dependence on Himself.

When this Roman Beast arises, he will be in league with the Antichrist. The Antichrist will set up an idolatrous image in the temple area of Jerusalem in honour of the Beast (Rev. 13:14-15). This will be the ultimate peak of man's pride, an arrogant challenge against God. Then the Lord Jesus will meet this challenge in awesome power. Both of these enemies of God will be "thrown alive into the lake of fire" (Rev. 19:19-20). Such will be the fearful end of him who "is king over all the sons of pride." What a lesson for us! We should learn to judge our own pride now.

Both the behemoth and the leviathan represent Satan, his character and his rule. He is king over all the sons of pride... And now comes the conclusion Job could easily draw. If he is proud, then he belongs to leviathan, the king who rules over the sons of pride. Jehovah has touched the secret in Job's heart. He has searched out its depths. He had cherished pride, the Devil's crime. And now, with his heart laid bare by Jehovah's dealing, we shall hear Job's voice once more.

As the crocodile is king over all proud beasts, so this beast is king over all the sons of pride. Shall Job — shall we — bow to him and help his kingdom along? If not, only one path was open for him, and for us.

"Now my eye sees You." It was nothing external now, no distant rumour... Do you think that investigating the structure or habits of behemoth and leviathan would have led to anything like this? Certainly not. He had to do with God Himself, who used them for that very purpose, and had by them turned Job away from everything to Himself.