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 23
Montaigne and Tasso (1821)
Fleury-Francois Richard (1777-1852)
Romanticism Style; Precursor of the Troubadour School
Musee des Beaux-Arts de Lyon, Lyon, France
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In Job 33 Elihu continues his speech, accusing Job of making unjust accusations against God. The painting I've chosen to represent today's chapter is of a man in a dark place, near his wit's end, visited by someone who, presumably, wants to help. Symbolically, this is a good representation of Job's condition and state of mind as described in this the preceding chapters. His circumstances were dark; his mind had fluctuated from despair, to anger, to confidence; and each of these seemed to be present even when one or the other prevailed, thus keeping his mind in turmoil. The help proffered by Elihu seemed to be the most thoughtful of all who spoke to Job; and his were the words which were closest, though flawed with certain misapprehensions, to God's words.
[ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: Job 32. Job 34. Job 35. Job 36. Job 37. ]
[ 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. ]
Elihu asked Job to hear all that he had to say because he would speak words of upright knowledge. He called on Job to answer him if he could, noting that God had made him out of clay, and, therefore he would not terrify Job, nor would his hand be heavy upon him (1-7). He reminded Job that Job had claimed to be clean, without transgression, innocent, and without iniquity. And, for those reasons, Job complained that God had afflicted him (8-11). But Elihu said that Job was not justified in speaking in such a manner, because God is greater than man. He therefore asked him why he strove against God, noting that God does not give account of Himself to men. Rather, as God had revealed to Elihu, God comes in the dreams of the night to open the ears of men to instruction, to withdraw man from his (evil) purpose, to remove his pride, and to keep his soul and his life from perishing (12-18). Moreover, God chastens men with pain, even strong pain, so that their soul abhors food and they grow lean and draw near to death (19-22). But if a messenger or a mediator comes to him and shows him the right way to go, then he finds a ransom and his youthful vigor is restored, and he gives thanks to God with joy. This happens because God rewards a man's righteousness; and when anyone admits that they have sinned and perverted the right way, and had no profit in his deeds, then God delivers him from the pit and lets his life see the light (23-28). Behold, says Elihu, God often does things like this to save men from death and restore life to them (29-30). And, once again, Elihu offers Job a chance to reply or to continue to listen (31-33). Elihu was correct in saying that Job was wrong to complain about God's justice (verses 8-13); but he was wrong to suppose that God was afflicting Job for sin (verses 17, 23-24, 27). This was plainly not the case, as shown by Job 1:1, 8, 22 and Job 2:3, 9-10. Job's sinful complaints against God came later, after the suffering had closed in upon him. These complaints were not the cause of any of Job's sufferings; they were only the cause of God's rebuke and correction for his unwise and unjust words.
Job 33
1 Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
2 Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my tongue hath spoken in my mouth.
3 My words shall be of the uprightness of my heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly.
4 The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.
5 If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me, stand up.
6 Behold, I am according to thy wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay.
7 Behold, my terror shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee.
8 Surely thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words, saying,
9 I am clean without transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me.
10 Behold, he findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy,
11 He putteth my feet in the stocks, he marketh all my paths.
12 Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man.
13 Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters.
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.
19 He is chastened also with pain upon his bed, and the multitude of his bones with strong pain:
20 So that his life abhorreth bread, and his soul dainty meat.
21 His flesh is consumed away, that it cannot be seen; and his bones that were not seen stick out.
22 Yea, his soul draweth near unto the grave, and his life to the destroyers.
23 If there be a messenger with him, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to shew unto man his uprightness:
24 Then he is gracious unto him, and saith, Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.
25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's: he shall return to the days of his youth:
26 He shall pray unto God, and he will be favourable unto him: and he shall see his face with joy: for he will render unto man his righteousness.
27 He looketh upon men, and if any say, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it profited me not;
28 He will deliver his soul from going into the pit, and his life shall see the light.
29 Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man,
30 To bring back his soul from the pit, to be enlightened with the light of the living.
31 Mark well, O Job, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I will speak.
32 If thou hast any thing to say, answer me: speak, for I desire to justify thee.
33 If not, hearken unto me: hold thy peace, and I shall teach thee wisdom.
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