The Legendary Leviathan is found a few times in scripture. Many times representing the enemies of God’s faithful ones (psalms 74:13,14; Isaiah 27:1) and sometimes in the context of creation(Psalms 104:26).
Ancient cultures and traditions right from Bible times had different views and legends to describe the mighty beast. One that I find most interesting comes from the Jews, passed down faithfully through succeeding generations:
“Jewish sources describe Leviathan as a dragon who lives over the Sources of the Deep and who, along with the male land-monster Behemoth, will be served up to the righteous at the end of time. It was held that God originally produced a male and a female leviathan, but lest in multiplying the species should destroy the world, He slew the female, reserving her flesh for the banquet that will be given to the righteous on the advent of the Messiah. “
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan
So according to the Legend, God killed the female and “salted her away” for the great banquet at the “advent of the Messiah”. It seems to me that God would contradict Himself by such a promise for it is He who had commanded His people not to partake of unclean flesh… but it seems Leviathan is a special case…. 🙂
The Rabbis also try to explain the beast’s characteristics:
“When the Leviathan is hungry, reports Rabbi Dimi in the name of Rabbi Johanan, he sends forth from his mouth a heat so great as to make all the waters of the deep boil, and if he would put his head into Paradise no living creature could endure the odor of him. His abode is the Mediterranean Sea; and the waters of the Jordan fall into his mouth.“
“In the eleventh-century piyyut (religious poem), Akdamut, recited on Shavuot (Pentecost), it is envisioned that, ultimately, God will slaughter the Leviathan, and it will be served as a sumptuous banquet for all the righteous in Heaven.”
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leviathan
As strange as this belief may seem, it is a continual source of hope to those that cling to it. It causes them to look forward to a time of deliverance from a mighty foe.
As Bible believing Christians, we know that the Bible’s version of Leviathan talks of “that old serpent called the devil and Satan”. Of the day of his destruction, the Bible says:
” In that day the LORD with his sore and great and strong sword shall punish leviathan the piercing serpent, even leviathan that crooked serpent; and he shall slay the dragon that is in the sea.”
Isaiah 27:1
At the thought of the Legendary Leviathan, men’s hearts were failing them for fear! From the Captains of the sea to the shepherd boy of the east, the thought of that monster would send chills down their spine. And so it has been for many centuries with the people of God at the thought of having to contend with the devil.
God did not want us to loose sight of that fact as described in Job 41:
“Canst thou draw out leviathan with an hook? or his tongue with a cord which thou lettest down? Canst thou put an hook into his nose? or bore his jaw through with a thorn? Â Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee? Â Will he make a covenant with thee? wilt thou take him for a servant for ever?”
Job 41
God draws such marked boundaries of the strength of the beast, seemingly dispelling all hope from the weary pilgrims who must battle with the enemy “Apollyon”.
The servant of God adds:
“Satan has great advantages. He possessed the wonderful intellectual power of an angel, of which few form any just idea… he was conscious of his power, or he would not have engaged in a conflict with the mighty God, the everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace… Satan is a master workman. His infernal wisdom he employs with good success.”
Testimonies for the Church Vol.2 pp, 172
Mark this point above all others:
The mightier and more terrible the enemy seems to be, the more triumphant and glorious the victory of God will be.
Thus it is essential for us to beware and watch lest coming suddenly he overcome us. The only point where he can gain victory is if we give in to his deceptions and sin against God.
He might roar, scratch and even perhaps kill the body, but if your life is “hid with Christ in God” the you have nothing to fear.
“We have a powerful, deceptive foe with whom to contend, and our only safety is in Him who is to come, who will consume this archdeceiver with the spirit of His mouth, and destroy with the brightness of His coming. “
Testimonies for the Church Vol.2 pp, 172
“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear,… The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge.“
Psalms 46:1,2,7
We might not feast on Leviathan 🙂 but we shall surely witness his utter destruction. Until then “Be thou faithful unto death, and ” He[God], “will give thee a crown of life”.
Rev 2:10
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