Job 39:20
Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper? the glory of his nostrils is terrible.
Job 39:20 (KJV)
Context
The book of Job explores human suffering and God’s sovereignty. Job, a righteous man, loses wealth, family, and health, and he questions God’s justice. In chapter 39, God answers from the whirlwind, challenging Job’s understanding of creation and reminding him of divine wisdom and power.
Meaning
God asks, “Canst thou make him afraid as a grasshopper?” and adds, “the glory of his nostrils is terrible.” The horse, unlike a small grasshopper, is fearless and powerful. No human can make it tremble. The flaring nostrils show its proud snorting, a sign of majestic and terrifying strength, especially in battle. This power is not given by man but by God, who alone governs all creatures. The Hebrew word for locust emphasizes leaping motion, while the KJV’s “grasshopper” conveys a small, easily frightened creature, contrasting with the horse’s boldness.
Biblical connections
The surrounding verses (Job 39:19-25) describe the horse’s eagerness for battle, its laughter at fear, and its refusal to turn back from the sword. This reinforces the theme of God’s unmatched wisdom and might. The passage is not primarily about the horse itself but about the Creator’s power and the proper human response of awe and submission.
Application
This verse humbles us, revealing the vast gap between human understanding and divine wisdom. It calls us to approach God with reverence and acknowledge His infinite power. When suffering prompts questions about divine justice, God’s response reminds us that His ways surpass human comprehension, encouraging trust in His sovereign plan.
Humility before God – The whirlwind dialogue urges believers to recognize their limitations.
God’s sovereignty over creation – The verse affirms God as creator of all things, including the majestic horse.
Trust in God’s wisdom – His purposes are beyond human understanding, so we trust Him.
Appreciation of God’s handiwork – We marvel at creation’s beauty and see God’s glory in its details.
Reflection
Job 39:20 reminds us of our limitations and the supremacy of God’s sovereignty. It calls us to recognize the magnificence of God’s creation and to approach Him with awe and reverence. The horse’s fearless strength points beyond itself to the God who made it, inviting us to trust His wisdom even when we cannot trace His ways.
