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 30
Decoration of the Main Dome (1530-1532)
Giovanni Antonio de' Sacchis, called Il Pordenone (c. 1484 - 1539)
Renaissance Style; Venetian School
Basilica of Santa Maria di Campagna, Piacenza, Italy
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: Job 9 contains the first part of Job's answer to Bildad. The image above depicts a theme, from a New Testament perspective, which is found in several places in today's chapter -- namely, God's power in the heavens. It shows God at the center and the men and spiritual beings from the Old and the New Testaments who are seated there, in power, with him. (See Colossians 1:16-17; Colossians 2:10). [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: Job 8, Job 10].
Job begins his answer to Bildad, who spoke in the previous chapter (1). He said that no one can be just with God; and no one can overcome his might. God shakes the earth; he stops the sun from rising; he seals up the stars; he spreads out the heavens; he treads on the waves of the sea; he made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south; he does wonders without number (2-10). God passed by Job; but Job did not perceive him; (i.e., he missed his opportunity to speak to God). God snatches away; and no one can hinder him. No one can say to him "What are you doing?." Unless God withdraws his anger the proud helpers (or the helpers of Rahab) fall before him; and Job is far less able to stand before God and reason with him. His righteousness is inadequate to stand before God. If he called God; God would not answer him; or, if he did, he would not believe it, because God was breaking him and multiplying his wounds without cause. God was not allowing him to catch his breath; he filled him with bitterness. He asks who could appoint him a time to plead his case before God. And he acknowledges that his own mouth would condemn him and prove him perverse even if he had such an appointment. Instead, the wicked are in control; and God blinds the judges of the earth (11-24). Even though he was "perfect" (i.e., blameless), he loathed his life, because God destroys both the blameless and the wicked; and he disregards the trial of the innocent. And no matter how much Job cleansed himself, God would plunge him into the ditch; and he had no answer for God; nor was he able to come together with God for judgment; and there is no arbiter between him and God. So he asks that God would withdraw his rod and his terror; and he would then have the courage to speak to him (25-35).
Job 9
1 Then Job answered and said,
2 I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God?
3 If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand.
4 He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?
5 Which removeth the mountains, and they know not: which overturneth them in his anger.
6 Which shaketh the earth out of her place, and the pillars thereof tremble.
7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
8 Which alone spreadeth out the heavens, and treadeth upon the waves of the sea.
9 Which maketh Arcturus, Orion, and Pleiades, and the chambers of the south.
10 Which doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.
11 Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not.
12 Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou?
13 If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him.
14 How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him?
15 Whom, though I were righteous, yet would I not answer, but I would make supplication to my judge.
16 If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice.
17 For he breaketh me with a tempest, and multiplieth my wounds without cause.
18 He will not suffer me to take my breath, but filleth me with bitterness.
19 If I speak of strength, lo, he is strong: and if of judgment, who shall set me a time to plead?
20 If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.
21 Though I were perfect, yet would I not know my soul: I would despise my life.
22 This is one thing, therefore I said it, He destroyeth the perfect and the wicked.
23 If the scourge slay suddenly, he will laugh at the trial of the innocent.
24 The earth is given into the hand of the wicked: he covereth the faces of the judges thereof; if not, where, and who is he?
25 Now my days are swifter than a post: they flee away, they see no good.
26 They are passed away as the swift ships: as the eagle that hasteth to the prey.
27 If I say, I will forget my complaint, I will leave off my heaviness, and comfort myself:
28 I am afraid of all my sorrows, I know that thou wilt not hold me innocent.
29 If I be wicked, why then labour I in vain?
30 If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean;
31 Yet shalt thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me.
32 For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment.
33 Neither is there any daysman betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both.
34 Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me:
35 Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.
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