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 31
In Ictu Oculi (1670-1672)
Juan de Valdes Leal (1622-1690)
Baroque Style
Hospital de la Caridad, Seville, Spain
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In Job 10 Job concluded his reply to Bildad. The image above shows the Grim Reaper snuffing out the light with his right hand, as in Job's dread mentioned in the latter part of this chapter that he was about to enter the land of the shadow of death where there is no light. [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 9].
Job said that he was weary of his life, isolated in his pain, and bitter in his soul. He wanted to ask God why God condemned him, contended with him, oppressed him, and despised him while favoring the designs of the wicked. He said that such behavior was uncharacteristic of God because God does not see as men see. Also, God, whose years are not as few as human years, has no need to spend time inquiring about Job's iniquity and sin; he already knows Job is not wicked (because he has already had time to search out the truth). Job also appeals to God as his creator who took great care to make him. He asks, therefore, why God now destroys him. He notes that God made him from clay and asks if he will now bring him to dust again. Now, says Job, he is poured out like milk and curdled like cheese. In contrast to this treatment, Job cites God's personal attention to him -- assembling him part by part, granting him life and favor, and preserving his spirit. Job then makes a tender appeal to God, saying that these intimate interactions with God are in his heart; and he knows they are in God's heart as well. Having said this, Job lapsed back into his complaint. He said that God would not acquit him if he sinned; and even if he were righteous he would not be able to lift up his head because of his confusion and affliction, which were increasing. God was hunting him like a lion; and he renewed his witness against him, and increased his indignation, sending changes and war against him (1-17). Why, then, asks Job, did God bring him out of the womb? He wished, earnestly, that he had never been born, and that he could have been carried from the womb to the grave. He reminded God that his days are few and asked him to leave him alone so that he might take comfort for a little while before he went to the place from which he would not return -- the land of the shadow of death where there is no light and where the light is as darkness (18-22).
Job 10
1 My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.
2 I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me.
3 Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked?
4 Hast thou eyes of flesh? or seest thou as man seeth?
5 Are thy days as the days of man? are thy years as man's days,
6 That thou enquirest after mine iniquity, and searchest after my sin?
7 Thou knowest that I am not wicked; and there is none that can deliver out of thine hand.
8 Thine hands have made me and fashioned me together round about; yet thou dost destroy me.
9 Remember, I beseech thee, that thou hast made me as the clay; and wilt thou bring me into dust again?
10 Hast thou not poured me out as milk, and curdled me like cheese?
11 Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and hast fenced me with bones and sinews.
12 Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.
13 And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee.
14 If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity.
15 If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;
16 For it increaseth. Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou shewest thyself marvellous upon me.
17 Thou renewest thy witnesses against me, and increasest thine indignation upon me; changes and war are against me.
18 Wherefore then hast thou brought me forth out of the womb? Oh that I had given up the ghost, and no eye had seen me!
19 I should have been as though I had not been; I should have been carried from the womb to the grave.
20 Are not my days few? cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little,
21 Before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death;
22 A land of darkness, as darkness itself; and of the shadow of death, without any order, and where the light is as darkness.
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