CONTROVERSY I: What about the Dinosaurs?
(This is a new article series that I am "trying out" with my readers. These are intended to be thought-provoking. Please see their Intro Article: Jan. 26, 2008)
Just a curious question: have you ever wondered about the "Leviathan" and "Behemoth" mentioned in Job 40:15-24 and ch. 41? What do you think they are?
Some scholars have argued that the Behemoth was a large land animal, like an elephant or hippopotamus. These scholars also contest that the Leviathan was something to the nature of a crocodile or other water dwelling creature. But are these accurate assumptions of what these beasts really are? How come old Canaanite myths say that the Leviathan was some type of seven-headed sea monster, or how did the idea of sea-monsters come into being in the first place? Why do we have fairy tales about dragons and whatnot? I have a dissertation that may shock some of you, and others may think I've completely "lost it," but hang in there with me and let's see how "off" or "on" I may be...
I have a pretty strong inclination that these large beasts were none other than DINOSAURS! Let me explain: go back with me to the Creation:
"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." (Gen. 1:1)
Pretty simple really, right? God created the universe and all that is contains: that's what that verse is saying. Verses 20-21:
"And God said, 'Let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the expanse of the sky.' So God created the great creatures of the sea and every living and moving thing with which the water teems, according to their kinds, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good."
Ok-so God created all the living creatures of the sea (Day 5).
Day 6: "And God said, 'Let the land produce living creatures according to their kinds: livestock, creatures that move along the ground, and wild animals, each according to its kind.' And it was so." (vs. 24)
And of course you know that man was created in God's image on the same day (vs. 26-27) So: here we have Creation, with all living creatures, including man, together on the earth-since Dinosaurs are creatures, wouldn't you agree that they were among those created things on the earth? Then we had to flood in Gen. ch. 7, which destroys all living creatures, BUT! God preserved 2 of every animal (7 of the clean ones-for sacrifice):
"'You (Noah) are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.'" (Gen. 6:19-20)
So, 2 of every kind (including dinosaurs) were preserved on the ark. Now let's look back at Job 40 and 41. Just looking at the descriptions of the Behemoth and Leviathan, I would have to contend with the accepted view that these are hippos and crocodiles. The Behemoth "moves his tail like a cedar" (40:17) Hippos don't have any body part that is like a cedar...and look at the elephant: his tail is no more than a wisp-now you might say that God is referring to his trunk, but why didn't God call it that in the first place or call it his mouth/nose or something to that effect? God knows how He formed the beast; surely, He would have described it accurately. Look at some of the other descriptions: (vs. 24)
"'Can anyone capture him when he is on his watch, with barbs can anyone pierce his nose?'"
I have known many an Indian and Arab that have caught the elephant and used it for transportation-and the hippo used to be used for food-but a dinosaur?! Imagine the Allosaurus, the dinosaur that has that kind of look-long neck, extremely large, with a tail like a cedar...aha! It is far more plausible for man to not be able to catch that thing than an elephant! Wouldn't you agree? Now-to the Leviathan, look at 41:6
"'Will the traders bargain over him? Will they divide him among the merchants?'"
Well, down here in Texas, we have things called crocodile boots and gator belts-made from the skin of these creatures-so, yes. We do bargain over crocodiles-and their meat is pretty tasty too. (I know from personal experience!) Vs. 15
"'His strong scales are his pride, shut up as with a tight seal.'"
Do crocodiles have scales like fish? I don't think so...
"'His sneezes flash forth light; out of his mouth go burning torches.'" (vs. 18, 19)
Did you know that there were dinosaurs, I'm thinking of the Parasaurolophus in particular, that breathed a type of gas or fire for defense? Pretty cool...anyway-I don't think crocodiles do that; but a Dinocephalosaurus, those long-necked swimming dinosaurs, would better fit that description.
So: hee hee-that gives you something to think about, huh? I think we have gotten this notion that dinosaurs lived millions of years before man because we have gotten away from studying Creation and moved to Evolution in our education systems. But which is real? God created the earth, that includes dinosaurs; Evolution says that dinosaurs evolved and died, and man evolved and prospered...isn't that in direct contrast with the Truth of the Word of God? Something to ponder...
