DAWN
Daily Arts Web Nucleus
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 29
St Jerome in the Wilderness (detail) - (c. 1509)
Lorenzo Lotto (c. 1480 - 1556/57)
High Renaissance Style; Venetian School
Museo Nazionale di Castel Sant'Angelo, Rome, Italy
Image Source: Web Gallery of Arts
Explanation: In Job 8 Bildad was the second of Job's friends who accused him. The painting above depicts trees embedded among rocks, but dead nonetheless, as mentioned by Bildad in verses 16-19. [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: Job 9, Job 10].
Bildad the Shuhite spoke to Job, accusing him of evil (1). He said that God did not pervert judgment and justice; therefore, Job's children (who perished) must have been transgressors. And, said Bildad, if Job would seek God and plead with him, and if he were pure and upright, God would prosper him and make his end greater than his beginning (2-7). Bildad told Job to search the wisdom of the former age and he would learn the truth (8-10). And, said Bildad, those hypocrites who forget God perish like the papyrus or the reed which perish before other plants. Their hope is as flimsy as a spider's web. Such flimsy hope cannot be leaned upon, nor can it be taken hold of (11-15). Bildad then switches metaphors, comparing Job to a green plant (probably a tree, or perhaps vines, or weeds). He notes that such a plant might be green before (literally, in the face of) the sun, and it may have its roots wrapped securely around stones, but if it is destroyed from its place the place will not remember it, and other plants will take its place (16-19). But, says Bildad, God will not cast away a perfect man, nor will he help evil men. But, (if Job will repent), God will fill his mouth with shouts of laughter; and those wicked ones who hate him will be clothed with shame; and their tents will be no more (20-22).
Job 8
1 Then answered Bildad the Shuhite, and said,
2 How long wilt thou speak these things? and how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind?
3 Doth God pervert judgment? or doth the Almighty pervert justice?
4 If thy children have sinned against him, and he have cast them away for their transgression;
5 If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty;
6 If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.
7 Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.
8 For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:
9 (For we are but of yesterday, and know nothing, because our days upon earth are a shadow:)
10 Shall not they teach thee, and tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?
11 Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water?
12 Whilst it is yet in his greenness, and not cut down, it withereth before any other herb.
13 So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:
14 Whose hope shall be cut off, and whose trust shall be a spider's web.
15 He shall lean upon his house, but it shall not stand: he shall hold it fast, but it shall not endure.
16 He is green before the sun, and his branch shooteth forth in his garden.
17 His roots are wrapped about the heap, and seeth the place of stones.
18 If he destroy him from his place, then it shall deny him, saying, I have not seen thee.
19 Behold, this is the joy of his way, and out of the earth shall others grow.
20 Behold, God will not cast away a perfect man, neither will he help the evil doers:
21 Till he fill thy mouth with laughing, and thy lips with rejoicing.
22 They that hate thee shall be clothed with shame; and the dwelling place of the wicked shall come to nought.
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