terror of warm seas, the giant of the family and the great traveler of the family. It makes vast excursions from one shore to another, and large ones are often seen from ships when out of sight of land. From the seagoing crocodile’s nonchalant motions, it appears that it is in no danger of tiring or ultimately drowning. On the other hand, sometimes this sea monster goes far inland as a river rover, lying in wait to devour some unwary animal.

Because of its size, armor and offensive weapons at both ends, the crocodile is king of reptiles. The dangerous cobra? Just a tasty snack, an appetizer for the crocodile. It has no natural enemies in the wild state and knows no terror. After this description of leviathan, Job says to Jehovah:

“I have come to know that you are able to do all things, and there is no idea that is unattainable for you. ‘Who is this that is obscuring counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I talked, but I was not understanding things too wonderful for me, which I do not know.”—Job 42:2, 3.

Job declares God can do all things; he realizes now that whatever God does is wise, loving and just. He repeats the very question Jehovah had asked at the beginning of the series of questions about creative marvels; Job does this to admit the justice of the rebuke implied by it and to admit, ‘I was the man!’

Job had said some things he should not have uttered; but now he confesses he had argued his case without understanding. “I make a retraction,” he said, “and I do repent in dust and ashes.” As Job did, we should take this lesson to heart. Lest we find ourselves contending against God, we should think hard before we let the outward appearance of our circumstances induce us to believe or declare that God is directly responsible for our sufferings. Behold behemoth and leviathan! They and other creative marvels should impress us with God’s great wisdom and power, adding force to the inspired words: “As for the Almighty, we have not found him out; he is exalted in power, and justice and abundance of righteousness he will not belittle. Therefore let men fear him.”—Job 42:6; 37:23, 24.

Proving Ourselves Approved by Accepting Responsibility

THE mature Christian is concerned with proving himself approved by God. Why? Because he knows that without that approval he stamps himself as a failure and cannot hope to get life everlasting in God’s new world. He therefore takes to heart the words of the apostle Paul: “Keep proving what you yourselves are . . . we are not disapproved.”—2 Cor. 13:5, 6.a

That this old world is not concerned with proving itself approved is apparent by its flight from responsibility. Look where we will we see evidence of it. Its prevalence is underscored by such expressions as “Carry the can” and “Passing the buck.” This refusal to accept responsibility is especially to be seen in the field of religion. The leaders of Christendom have refused to accept the responsibility of teaching the people the Word of God and as a result religious illiteracy is widespread. Because parents refuse to accept the responsibilities that come with parenthood juvenile delinquency is rampant.

One of the big tasks of the Christian minister is to persuade the persons whom he meets in the field ministry to accept responsibility by being willing to discuss religion, by obtaining Bible literature, by having the minister make return visits upon them and by having a Bible study in their home. Some agree to a Bible study in their home, but when it becomes apparent that they have an obligation to tell others about it, they too flee responsibility by dropping the study in their home.