Job 39:20

Context of Job 39:20

This verse is part of a profound discourse delivered by God to Job from a whirlwind, spanning chapters 38 through 41. After Job's persistent questioning of divine justice, God responds not by explaining His ways, but by challenging Job's understanding of the natural world and his capacity to govern it. Through a series of rhetorical questions, God highlights His own omnipotence and wisdom as evidenced in His creation and control over various elements and creatures.

Specifically, Job 39 describes several majestic animals—the wild ass, the wild ox, and then, in verses 19-25, the magnificent warhorse. Verse 20 continues this vivid description, emphasizing the horse's inherent power and fearlessness, contrasting it sharply with human frailty. This passage serves to humble Job, demonstrating that if he cannot even control or comprehend the might of a created animal, how much less can he grasp the ways of the Almighty Creator. This entire section underscores God's powerful questioning of Job.

Key Themes and Messages

• Divine Sovereignty and Power: The description of the horse's strength, courage, and terrifying presence points directly to God as its designer and sustainer. It is a testament to God's absolute control over all creation, even the most powerful and untamed creatures.
• Human Limitation and Humility: The rhetorical question, "Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?" powerfully highlights humanity's inability to control or instill fear in such a mighty beast. This contrasts sharply with God's effortless command, urging Job (and us) to acknowledge our limited understanding and humble ourselves before the Creator. This theme resonates with humanity's place in the grand design.
• Awe-Inspiring Creation: The verse invites readers to marvel at the raw power, beauty, and ferocity God has imbued in His creatures. The horse's "glory of his nostrils" evokes an image of powerful snorting and an intimidating, spirited presence, inspiring awe for the Creator.

Linguistic Insights

• "Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?": The comparison to a grasshopper is striking. A grasshopper is small, easily startled, and insignificant. The question challenges Job's ability to diminish the horse's immense strength and courage, to make it as easily frightened as a tiny insect. This emphasizes the horse's inherent, divinely given boldness.
• "the glory of his nostrils [is] terrible":
  • "Glory of his nostrils": This poetic phrase refers to the horse's powerful snorting and the visible exhalation of breath (perhaps even steam) that accompanies its intense exertion and spirit. It vividly portrays the horse's fierce, untamed energy and its intimidating presence. It's a mark of its majestic power.
  • "Terrible": In the King James Version, "terrible" often carries the meaning of "awe-inspiring," "fearsome," "majestic," or "dread-inspiring" in a positive or neutral sense, rather than necessarily "bad" or "evil." Here, it signifies the horse's magnificent and formidable presence that evokes a sense of awe and even fear in those who witness its power. It is a creature designed to be awesome and fearsome in its strength.

Practical Application

Job 39:20 encourages us to cultivate a deep sense of awe and humility before God. If a mere creature, the warhorse, possesses such inherent power and majesty that humans cannot control or diminish, how much more should we stand in reverence before its Creator?

• Humble Ourselves: This verse reminds us that we are not the masters of the universe. True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's immeasurable power and our own limitations, fostering a spirit of humility (see Proverbs 9:10).
• Worship the Creator: The wonders of creation, from the smallest insect to the most powerful horse, are constant testimonies to God's glory. This verse invites us to look at the world around us with new eyes, recognizing God's hand in every detail and being drawn to worship Him.
• Trust in God's Control: If God has such meticulous control over the wild and powerful elements of creation, we can trust that He also holds our lives in His sovereign hands. This can bring comfort and peace in uncertain times, knowing that nothing is beyond God's unmatched creative power and sovereignty.