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 2015 January 11
Portrait of the De Moucheron Family (1563)
Cornelis de Zeeuw (fl. 1558-1569)
Dutch and Flemish Renaissance Style
Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam, Netherlands
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: Job 21 contains Job's answer to Zophar's second accusation. Repeatedly, Job made reference to the fact that the wicked are often prosperous, well fed, and comfortable, as was the case (materially, not morally) with the Bourgeoisie family in the painting above.
[ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Job 20. ]
[ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]
[ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]
Job began his answer to Zophar's second accusation by asking him and the others to listen diligently to him and afterward to mock on. He said that his complaint was not to man, (implying that it was to God). He told his friends that they should be astonished at his affliction and lay their hand upon their mouth. Indeed, fear and trembling had seized upon Job, (as it should upon them). He then sought to correct their false impression about the fate of the wicked (1-7). He said that the wicked became old and mighty, that their offspring were secure, and that the rod of God did not rest upon their houses. He noted that their domestic animals were fruitful. He stated that their children went forth like a flock, dancing, playing music, spending their days in wealth, and going down in a moment (meaning, perhaps, without suffering) to the grave. They tell God to depart from them. They neither desire to know him nor to serve him; and they believe that it is unprofitable to pray to him. They prosper; but Job does not enter into their counsel (8-16).
Job, though he acknowledged that the wicked prosper in this life, also acknowledged that they are often punished in this life. He said that often their candle is put out, and they have destruction and sorrow. They are as stubble and chaff before the wind and the storm. God judges their children before their eyes. They are destroyed; they drink the wrath of the Almighty. Their pleasure ceases when they die in the midst of their days (17-21).
Job then reinforces his prior statements by setting forth a series of contrasts, showing how the wicked live and die. He prefaces these remarks by acknowledging that God's knowledge (or judgment) is superior, even to those who are high, (in deciding whether the wicked live and die well or poorly). Job notes that one dies "in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet," and well-off physically. Another dies in the bitterness of his soul and never experiences pleasure. But both lie down in the dust; and worms cover them (22-26).
Job then says that he knows the thoughts of his friends and their devices (clever arguments) against him because they insist that the houses and the tents of the mighty (princes) and the wicked have vanished. So he asks them if they have not heard from those who travel the roads, (and, by implication, know many in the places they visit), that evil men are spared from calamity and wrath; that no one rebukes them; that no one repays them for their evil; that when they are carried to their grave they are guarded even there. Their graves are restful. All mankind follows them; and those who went before them are innumerable (27-33).
Job concludes his argument with a question and a statement: "How then will you comfort me with empty nothings? There is nothing left of your answers but falsehood" (34).
Job 21
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations.
3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on.
4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled?
5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth.
6 Even when I remember I am afraid, and trembling taketh hold on my flesh.
7 Wherefore do the wicked live, become old, yea, are mighty in power?
8 Their seed is established in their sight with them, and their offspring before their eyes.
9 Their houses are safe from fear, neither is the rod of God upon them.
10 Their bull gendereth, and faileth not; their cow calveth, and casteth not her calf.
11 They send forth their little ones like a flock, and their children dance.
12 They take the timbrel and harp, and rejoice at the sound of the organ.
13 They spend their days in wealth, and in a moment go down to the grave.
14 Therefore they say unto God, Depart from us; for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways.
15 What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? and what profit should we have, if we pray unto him?
16 Lo, their good is not in their hand: the counsel of the wicked is far from me.
17 How oft is the candle of the wicked put out! and how oft cometh their destruction upon them! God distributeth sorrows in his anger.
18 They are as stubble before the wind, and as chaff that the storm carrieth away.
19 God layeth up his iniquity for his children: he rewardeth him, and he shall know it.
20 His eyes shall see his destruction, and he shall drink of the wrath of the Almighty.
21 For what pleasure hath he in his house after him, when the number of his months is cut off in the midst?
22 Shall any teach God knowledge? seeing he judgeth those that are high.
23 One dieth in his full strength, being wholly at ease and quiet.
24 His breasts are full of milk, and his bones are moistened with marrow.
25 And another dieth in the bitterness of his soul, and never eateth with pleasure.
26 They shall lie down alike in the dust, and the worms shall cover them.
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which ye wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For ye say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked?
29 Have ye not asked them that go by the way? and do ye not know their tokens,
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face? and who shall repay him what he hath done?
32 Yet shall he be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb.
33 The clods of the valley shall be sweet unto him, and every man shall draw after him, as there are innumerable before him.
34 How then comfort ye me in vain, seeing in your answers there remaineth falsehood?
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