“At this day westerns have been astonished And easterns have taken fright”
Job
As i began to write this blog, a few years ago, I wrote some posts about the Book of Job. I would like to continue on that theme.
Some time. .
Said Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite :
(King James:) “By reason of the multitude of oppressions they make the oppressed to cry: they cry out by reason of the arm of the mighty. But none saith, Where is God my maker, who giveth songs in the night; Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven?
(Youngs literal Translation:) “Because of the multitude of oppressions They cause to cry out, They cry because of the arm of the mighty. And none said, `Where [is] God my maker? Giving songs in the night, Teaching us more than the beasts of the earth, Yea, than the fowl of the heavens He maketh us wiser.’ “
Painting by Arthur Ackland Hunt
.. or watches?
(“The Septuagint”: ) “They that are oppressed of a multitude will be ready to cry out; they will call for help because of the arm of many. But none said, Where is God that made me, who appoints the night-watches; who makes me to differ from the four-footed beasts of the earth, and from the birds of the sky?“
He has calmed the sea with his might, and by his wisdom the whale has been overthrown. And the barriers of heaven fear him, and by a command he has slain the apostate dragon. (Book of Job chapter 26:12 – 13 – english translation of the Greek, Septuagint Bible)
Medieval Dragon-slayer
After the terrible calamity having fallen upon Job, and after he’s been heard uttering terrible, dark words, Eliphaz say something. Chapter 4 and 5 in the Book of Job contents Eliphaz first word in answer to Job. Eliphaz have a revelation:
” Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof. In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice..” (Book of Job 4:12 – 16)
Eliphaz knew that even angels must sometimes be told something, by their Creator:
“Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly” (Book of Job 4:18)
How right isn’t he, Eliphaz, after all ! Even the apostle Paul made some reference to his words:
“He taketh the wise in their own craftiness: and the counsel of the froward is carried headlong.” (Book of Job 5:13, compare 1 Cor. 3:19)
How skilled a theologian, he is, this Eliphaz ! He will end up the winner in this discussion, don’t you think so? Yes.
