The tiniest people in my life (Emmett and Noah) are ages two and five. Their world is filled with books, videos, and wonderful imaginations. When it comes to reading them stories from the Bible, I want to include Job chapter 40, just so I can ask them what they picture in these words:

(Job chapter 40, verses 15 and following, from The Message)

Job 40:15

Look at the land beast, Behemoth. I created him as well as you. Grazing on grass, docile as a cow— Just look at the strength of his back, the powerful muscles of his belly. His tail sways like a cedar in the wind; his huge legs are like beech trees. His skeleton is made of steel, every bone in his body hard as steel. Most magnificent of all my creatures, but I still lead him around like a lamb! The grass-covered hills serve him meals, while field mice frolic in his shadow. He takes afternoon naps under shade trees, cools himself in the reedy swamps, Lazily cool in the leafy shadows as the breeze moves through the willows. And when the river rages he doesn’t budge, stolid and unperturbed even when the Jordan goes wild. But you’d never want him for a pet— you’d never be able to housebreak him!

When God was explaining to Job his place in the world, as one of God’s many creatures, we get this description of the Behemoth. Most Bible translators let us deal with this behemoth creature in our own minds. A couple of English translations call this a hippopotamus. Eugene Peterson, in his Bible paraphrase called The Message, paint such a picture that I think I see a dinosaur.

The Lord God made them all ……….

Prayer

I thank you, God, that as you set out to create this big, beautiful world, you took the time to make me. And you take the time to love me, care for me, and save me. Thanks for seeing me even among the giants. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.