DAWN
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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture plus an explanation with links 2014 December 25
The Vision of Eliphaz (1825)
William Blake (1757-1827)
Romanticism Style
Tate Galleries, London, England, United Kingdom
Image Source: The William Blake Archive
Explanation: In Job 4 Eliphaz is the first to answer Job's complaint. Today's image depicts the vision of Eliphaz, recorded in the last part of the chapter. [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: Job 3; Job 5].
After Job made his opening statement, Eliphaz was the first to reply to him (1). He asked Job not to be upset with him and his friends if they spoke to him; but they felt compelled to speak. He pointed out to Job that Job had instructed and strengthened many; but now that trouble had come upon him he fainted and was troubled. And he said that Job trusted in his uprightness (2-6). And he asked Job "who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?" By this question, he implied that Job could not be upright, because God had cut him off. He said that this was the lot of those who were iniquitous and wicked. He said that God consumes them. And he said that even lions perish, implying that Job, who was weaker, also could not stand (7-11). Eliphaz then told Job about a vision he had. A spirit came to him and told him that a mortal man could not be more just than God nor be more pure than his maker. The spirit told him that God puts no trust in his servants and that he even charged his angels with folly. And, said the spirit, man is even less trustworthy; their excellency departs, and they die without wisdom (12-21).
Job 4
1 Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
2 If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
7 Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
8 Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
9 By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.
10 The roaring of the lion, and the voice of the fierce lion, and the teeth of the young lions, are broken.
11 The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 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, saying,
17 Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker?
18 Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:
19 How much less in them that dwell in houses of clay, whose foundation is in the dust, which are crushed before the moth?
20 They are destroyed from morning to evening: they perish for ever without any regarding it.
21 Doth not their excellency which is in them go away? they die, even without wisdom.
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