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Job 41:18-20
18 By his neesings [`atiyshah] a light ['owr] doth shine [halal], and his eyes [`ayin] are like the eyelids [`aph`aph] of the morning [shachar].
19 Out of his mouth [peh] go [halak] burning lamps [lappiyd], and sparks [kiydowd] of fire ['esh] leap out [malat].
20 Out of his nostrils [nachiyr] goeth [yatsa'] smoke [`ashan], as out of a seething [naphach] pot [duwd] or caldron ['agmown]. KJV-Interlinear
18 'His sneezes flash forth light, And his eyes are like the eyelids of the morning. 19 'Out of his mouth go burning torches; Sparks of fire leap forth. 20 'Out of his nostrils smoke goes forth, As from a boiling pot and burning rushes. NASB
In ancient times, the crocodile eyes or eye, was portrayed in art and drawings quite often. Especially in Egyptian artwork.
The eyes of the crocodile though small when compared to the rest of the animal, portray a feeling of mystery and stealth, of intimidation, even a sort of hypnotizing beauty to a degree. That is where the 'morning eyes' phrase comes from.
It is sort of poetic, if you have ever looked at someone in the eyes in the early morning. There is a unique beauty and character, and inquisitiveness about them.
But the beast is a combination of beauty, inspiring awe from the point of view of an onlooker, while also presenting itself as a beast of terror and death. One with whom no one should mess with or even take for granted.
The symbolism of fire and smoke continues to describe the crocodile while in its aggressive mode.
Coming to the surface after being under water for a long spell, the croc exhales its long held air with a blast or snorting that thunders. To an observer, the exhale of breath and water spray seem as though the animal is shooting our fire and smoke.
When in pursuit of its prey, the beast works its jaws, its teeth, its breathing becomes hyper, with the noises of the pursuit shooting terror in its intended victim.
The sounds of the pursuit from the point of view of the pursued, make their world seem like it is falling apart in blasts of fire and smoke, with no escape possible. All perceptions in those few moments are exaggerated as the victim is seized with the terror and the horrors of their impending demise, as well as the actual process of their horrible death.
The crocodile has no mercy, no empathy, no remorse, no concern for the feelings of its victim. The croc has but one purpose and that is to win this pursuit and then eat its prey.
And such is a brief description of life in the jungle, and such is the description of life in a life without God. All people who attempt to live their lives without God, without Christ, without doctrine, indifferent to their spiritual life, have only the jungle as an alternative to the spiritual life. There, all people become victims with the above described result. Awed by the beauty, overwhelmed by the terror.
