Job’s Creatures – The Unicorn

The unicorn appears in the book of Job (Job 39:9-10). Many references to the unicorn highlight its strength and powerful horn. The Lord tells Job that the unicorn cannot be harnessed like a horse, an ox, or a donkey to serve mankind. It was one of God’s creatures that could not be tamed. In verses 11-12, it is explained that the unicorn cannot be trusted. Interestingly, God mentions other non-mythical creatures in the same passage of Scripture, such as the goat (v. 1), the peacock and ostrich (v. 13), the horse (v. 19), the hawk (v. 26), and the eagle (v. 27). There is no reason to believe that the unicorn was not also a real animal.

God, of course, was drawing attention to all of these creatures because He is the One who created them, and He made each of them for specific purposes. He is an amazing God. Like the animals, God had a purpose for Job. God has a purpose for you, too.

The name unicorn comes from a verb meaning “to rise.” The Psalmist states that the LORD is a most high God (Psa. 92:8), but the same God would exalt the psalmist “like the horn of a unicorn” (Psa. 92:10). The unicorn teaches us that God should be exalted above all others. Truly, this is the message that God is trying to convey to Job and his friends.

I find it interesting that God permits Job and his friends, including the young man Elihu, to share their thoughts. The story begins with God in control of everything. God allows Satan to test Job. He permits these men to voice their opinions on why things have happened and are happening to Job. In truth, only God knows what He is doing and why.

Mankind enjoys taming animals such as horses, dogs, and other creatures. Some animals, like the unicorn, are too powerful for us to tame. However, God Himself cannot be tamed; He cannot be brought under mankind’s control. (LEH)