Those acquainted with ancient literature know the story of Job. In the secular world, Job is often cited as though it does not appear in the Bible as a part of sacred writ. Job can be presented to stand alone, but for persons of Christian or Jewish faith this is an inspired report. A number of verses in Job are given to the description of the crocodile. It is an impressive and accurate recital of the formidable animal that God here calls the chief of beasts. The word chief may also be translated king. There is some uncertainty in late chapters in Job, whether references are to the crocodile or hippopotamus, or even the elephant. It is true that the only enemy given wide berth by crocodiles is the mighty hippo. Lions apparently don’t qualify for this listing of royalty.
When I was a lad I often heard that the king of beasts was the lion. In school we were shown pictures and films of lions – a great mane, a sinister look, and eyes that forebode death to beautiful gazelles. I learned that he was a rather mangy fellow, a bit long of tooth, self-centered, lazy and sleeping many hours of the day. He was an inattentive mate, and a poor father. How did he gain such admiration? Someone honored him, but without evidence of earned royalty’s identity.
What would you say to Job, after a long period of rancid illness that he endured? We are aware of the misery of the man, sitting away from others, scraping the eruptions of his skin, as his body wasted. It was sufficient ugliness and pain for him to wish that he had never been born. We can all doubt that we would do what God did. God gave him animal analogies as proof of the arm strength of the Lord. If Job can do the list of things God can do, then God will acknowledge that your own right hand [Job’s] can save you. Of course, Job could not qualify. Nor can we qualify. The detailed story of the crocodile is one of the analogies. Was the recital just what a miserable, distressed, sick, confused, grief stricken man needed – with critical/analytical friends present?
For a minister, or a family comforter, or psychiatrist to recite a detailed description of the crocodile to a sick man would likely upset, perhaps even enrage, us. But that is what God did. And thereto hangs the tale of woe and victory for mankind, and for God. From crocodiles’ point of view, the specie is quite remarkable – according to the Bible. They are well armored, so that even air does not separate body plates. The tail is powerful and feared. Teeth and mouth can eat cattle. Flood presents no threat. Weapons of the time were useless against them. They disdain all threats. The final remark about this being is like the first: He is king over all proud beasts. (Job 41:34)
Job and those who read his story have the lesson in an easily interpreted recital – only God can make a crocodile, or hippopotamus, or elephant. And if God can make such creatures, by any means he chooses (by divine fiat or progression of species), what will he do for mankind, the anointed earth king? Job took the higher truth and that with humility. Job said: I melt away.
I repent in dust and ashes. All men and women may know that a competent God cares, even in human desperation and failure. We too are Jobs. Trusting God, we follow his interpretations and prevail. God and Job arrived at an agreed perception – that the logic and competency of God is somewhat different than ours. If we want to have God in our lives, we must follow his context of thought, life and the meaning of creation. His word defines it. We do not make it up. If we could make something up, it would be wrong and useless for redemptive purposes. We do exert personal effort to be good. Alone, we are not qualified for immortality. *Mark W. Lee, Sr. — 2016, 2020