Job 39: Group Study Handout

Overview

In Job chapter 39, God continues speaking to Job, highlighting His sovereign control and wisdom through the examples of various animals. God describes the habits and characteristics of creatures such as mountain goats, wild donkeys, and the powerful ostrich, each illustrating unique aspects of divine provision and natural order. As the chapter unfolds, God underscores His mastery in the independent life of the wild ox and the extraordinary instincts of the horse. These examples illustrate nature's diversity and God's unmatched understanding in creating and sustaining life.

Key verse

“Have you given the horse might? Have you clothed his neck with a quivering mane?”

Job 39:19 (WEB)

Outline

1. Job 39:1–4 The Birth of Mountain Goats
2. Job 39:5–8 The Wild Donkey's Freedom
3. Job 39:9–12 The Wild Ox's Strength
4. Job 39:13–17 The Ostrich's Carelessness
5. Job 39:18–25 The Horse's Might in Battle
6. Job 39:26–30 The Hawk and Eagle's Intuition

Discussion questions

1. Which animals does Yahweh ask Job about in this chapter, from the 'mountain goats' of v1 to the eagle of v27?
2. What does the ostrich forget in vv. 14-15, and what does v17 say is the reason?
3. The horse 'mocks at fear' in v22 and 'smells the battle afar off' in v25: why is that offered as an answer to Job?
4. The wild donkey 'scorns the tumult of the city' in v7: what is Yahweh saying about a freedom no one gave him?
5. Where in your life are you asked to trust a strength you cannot harness, like the wild ox in vv. 9-11?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Job 39: Psalm 104, Jeremiah 8, Genesis 1.

Before next time: read Job 40.