This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.
Job experienced good and bad times; really bad times!
Good Times:
“I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.”
“They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel…”
“They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower…”
Bad Times:
“And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep…”
“Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.”
“I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.”
Times were so bad Job was wishing that his time would come and he would be dead:
“I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth. I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out. My harp is turning to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.”
“Doth not he consider my ways, and number my steps? For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not abler to bear.”
“Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself judgeth would write a book, that I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?”
Eliu knew the answer; why a righteous man like Job would be suffering.
“So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself. And Eliu… now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.”
Eliu, the young whipper-snapper, was insightful as to the origin of wisdom.
“I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to show you my opinion. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will show you my wisdom.”
Eliu knows that man is not level with God.
“ also will answer my part, and will show my knowledge. For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels. I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my maker may take me away.”
Eliu is sort of a prophet to Job.
“Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words… My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life… Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.”
Eliu reiterates that God is God and we are not! We are sinners all!
“Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy (Job’s) words: I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me… Now this is the thing in which thou (Job) art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Dost thou strive against him, because he (God) hath not answered thee to all words?”
Eliu says that God instructs man through suffering and that there is a redemptive process through obedience to God!
“If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man’s uprightness, he shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him… let him return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man justice… He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see light. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.”
Eliu knows that God is just!
“Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me; far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty… For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment… If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes… Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? And how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who called rulers ungodly…”
Eliu knows Job is not God and tells him so!
“But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity. Because he added blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches… Therefore I will answer thy words and thy friends with thee. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.”
Trust God to judge fairly…
“There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one. Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him. For he doth not bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.”
Amen. Alleluia!
Bible Notes:
This book takes its name from its chief character, Job. After he had lost his riches, his children, and his health, three of his friends carried on a debate with him, trying to show him that his afflictions were punishment for his sins. But Job rightly proclaimed his innocence, though he seeks vainly for an explanation of his sufferings. Finally God intervened, showing Job the folly of questioning divine providence, but at the same time praising Job for not accepting the false solution offered by his friends.
Job Chapter 29: Job’s Monologue; His Former Happiness; Respect Formerly Enjoyed by Job.
Job’s Monologue:
Job also added, taking up his parable, and said:
His Former Happiness:
…When God was secretly in my tabernacle? When the Almighty was with me…
The ear that heard me blessed me, and the eye that saw me gave witness to me, because I had delivered the poor man that cried out; and the fatherless, that had no helper. The blessing of him that was ready to perish came upon me, and I comforted the heart of the widow. I was clad with justice: and I clothed myself with my judgment, as with a robe and a diadem.
And I said: I shall die in my nest, and as a palm tree shall multiply my days.
My glory shall always be renewed, and my bow in my hand shall be repaired.
Respect Formerly Enjoyed by Job:
They that heard me, waited for my sentence, and being attentive held their peace at my counsel…
They waited for me as for rain, and they opened their mouth as for a latter shower…
If I had a mind to go to them, I sat first, and when I sat as a king, with his army standing about him, yet I was a comforter of them that mourned.
Job Chapter 30: Job now Scorned; Job now Suffers Great Afflictions; Job’s Cry for Help.
Job now Scorned:
But now the younger in time scorn me, whose fathers I would not have set with the dogs of my flock. The strength of whose hands was to me as nothing, and they were thought unworthy of life itself.
The children of the foolish and base men, and not appearing at all upon the earth. Now I am turned into their song, and am become their byword. They abhor me, and flee far from me, and are not afraid to spit in my face.
They have destroyed my ways, they have lain in wait against me, and they have prevailed, and there was none to help.
I am brought to nothing: as a wind thou hast taken away my desire: and my prosperity hath passed away like a cloud.
Job now Suffers Great Afflictions:
And now my soul fadeth within myself, and the days of affliction possess me. In the night my bone is pierced with sorrows: and they that feed upon me, do not sleep… I am compared to dirt.
I cry to thee, and thou hearest em not: I stand up, and thou dost not regard me. Thou art changed to be cruel toward me, and in the hardness of thy hand thou art against me. Thou hast lifted me up, and set me as it were upon the wind, and thou hast mightily dashed me. I know that thou wilt deliver me to death, where a house is appointed for every one that liveth.
Job’s Cry for Help:
I expected good things, and evils are come upon me: I waited for light, and darkness broke out.
My harp is turning to mourning, and my organ into the voice of those that weep.
Job Chapter 31: Job again Protests His Innocence; Job Recalls His Justice to All; Job’s Dislike of Avarice and Meanness; Job Asks God to be His Judge.
Job again Protests His Innocence:
I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not so much as think upon a virgin.
Doth not he consider my ways, and number my steps?
If my step hath turned out pf the way, and if my heart hath followed my eye, and if a spot hath cleaved to my hands, then let me sow and let another eat: and let my offspring be rooted out… It is a fire that devoureth even to destruction, and rooteth up all things that spring.
Job Recalls His Justice to All:
…for what shall I do when God shall rise to judge? And when he shall examine, what shall I answer him?
…for from my infancy mercy grew up with me: and It came out with me from my mother’s womb…
For I have always feared God as waves swelling over me, and his weight I was not abler to bear.
Job’s Dislike of Avarice and Meanness:
If I beheld the sun when it shined, and the moon going into brightness, and my heart in secret hath rejoiced, and I have kissed my hand with my mouth, which is a very great iniquity, and a denial against the most high God.
…for I have not given my mouth to sin, by wishing a curse to his soul…
Job Asks God to be His Judge:
Who would grant me a hearer, that the Almighty may hear my desire; and that he himself judgeth would write a book, that I may carry it on my shoulder, and put it about me as a crown?
Job Chapter 32: Eiiu’s Anger; The First Speech of Eliu; Eliu Apologizes for His Boldness; Eliu Reproves Job’s Friends; Eli’s Zeal.
Eli’s Anger:
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he seemed just to himself. And Eliu… now he was angry against Job, because he said he was just before God. And he was angry with his friends, because they had not found a reasonable answer, but only had condemned Job.
The First Speech of Eliu:
Then Eliu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, and said:
Eliu Apologizes for His Boldness:
I am younger in days, and you are more ancient; therefore hanging down my head, I was afraid to show you my opinion. For I hoped that greater age would speak, and that a multitude of years would teach wisdom. But, as I see, there is a spirit in men, and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth understanding. They that are aged are not the wise men, neither do the ancients understand judgment. Therefore I will speak: Hearken to me, I also will show you my wisdom.
Eliu Reproves Job’s Friends:
…but, as I see, there is none of you that can convince Job, and answer his words. Lest you say: We have found wisdom. God hath cast him down, not man. He (God or Job?) hath spoken nothing to me, and I will not answer him according to your words.
Eliu’s Zeal:
I also will answer my part, and will show my knowledge. For I am full of matter to speak of, and the spirit of my bowels straiteneth me. Behold, my belly is as new wine which wanteth vent, which bursteth the new vessels. I will speak and take breath a little: I will open my lips, and will answer. I will not accept the person of man, and I will not level God with man. For I know not how long I shall continue, and whether after a while my maker may take me away.
Job Chapter 33: Eliu Calls upon Job to Listen; Job’s Claim to Innocence is False; God Instructs Men by Visions; God Instructs Man by Suffering; Eliu Demands Job’s Attention.
Eliu Calls upon Job to Listen:
Hear therefore, O Job, my speeches, and hearken to all my words… My words are from my upright heart, and my lips shall speak a pure sentence. The spirit of God made me, and the breath of the Almighty gave me life… Behold God hath made me as well as thee, and of the same clay I also was formed.
Job’s Claim to Innocence is False:
Now thou hast said in my hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy (Job’s) words: I am clean, and without sin: I am unspotted, and there is no iniquity in me… Now this is the thing in which thou (Job) art not justified: I will answer thee, that God is greater than man. Dost thou strive against him, because he (God) hath not answered thee to all words?
God Instructs Men by Visions:
God speaketh once, and repeateth not the selfsame thing the second time. By a dream in a vision by night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, and they are sleeping in their beds, then he openeth the ears of men, and teaching instructeth them in what they are to learn. That he may withdraw a man from the things he is doing, and may deliver him from pride. Rescuing his soul from corruption: and his life from passing to the sword.
God Instructs Man by Suffering:
If there shall be an angel speaking for him, one among thousands, to declare man’s uprightness, he shall have mercy on him, and shall say: Deliver him, that he may not go down to corruption: I have found wherein I may be merciful to him… let him return to the days of his youth. He shall pray to God, and he will be gracious to him: and he shall see his face with joy, and he will render to man justice… He hath delivered his soul from going into destruction, that it may live and see light. Behold, all these things God worketh three times within every one. That he may withdraw their souls from corruption, and enlighten them with the light of the living.
Eliu Demands Job’s Attention:
Attend, Job, and hearken to me: and hold thy peace, whilst I speak… hear me: hold thy peace, and I will teach thee wisdom.
Job Chapter 34: The Second Speech of Eliu; Eliu Reproves Job for Judging God; God is Just; God is Wise and Powerful; Eliu Concludes His Speech.
The Second Speech of Eliu:
An Eliu continued his discourse, and said:
Eliu Reproves Job for Judging God:
Hear ye, wise men, my words, and ye learned, hearken to me… Let us choose to us judgment, and let us see among ourselves what is the best. For Job hath said: I am just, and God hath overthrown my judgment. For in judging me there is a lie: my arrow is violent without any sin… For he hath said: Man shall not please God, although he run with him.
God is Just:
Therefore, ye men of understanding, hear me; far from God be wickedness, and iniquity from the Almighty… For in very deed God will not condemn without cause, neither will the Almighty pervert judgment… If he turn his heart to him, he shall draw his spirit and breath unto himself. All flesh shall perish together, and man shall return into ashes… Can he be healed that loveth not judgment? And how dost thou so far condemn him that is just? Who saith to the king: Thou art an apostate: who called rulers ungodly…
Pervert—to lead astray morally—to turn away from the right course—to lead into mental error or false judgment.
God is Wise and Powerful:
For his eyes are upon the ways of men, and he considereth all their steps. There is no darkness, and there is no shadow of death, where they may be hid who work iniquity. For it is no longer in the power of man to enter into judgment with God… For he knoweth their works: and therefore he shall bring night on them, and they shall be destroyed… Who marketh a man that is a hypocrite to reigh for the sins of the people?
Eilu Concludes His Speech:
But Job hath spoken foolishly, and his words sound not discipline. My father, let Job be tried even to the end: cease not from the man of iniquity. Because he added blasphemy upon his sins, let him be tied fast in the mean time amongst us: and then let him provoke God to judgment with his speeches.
Job Chapter 35: The Third Speech of Eliu; Human Conduct Cannot Help or Hurt God; God Will Not Hear the Proud.
The Third Speech of Eliu:
Moreover Eliu spoke these words:
Human Conduct Cannot Help or Hurt God:
Doth thy thought seem right to thee, that thou shouldst say: I am more just than God? For thou saidist: That which is right doth not please thee: or what will it profit thee if I sin?
Therefore I will answer thy words and thy friends with thee. Look up to heaven and see, and behold the sky, that it is higher than thee.
If thou sin, what shalt thou hurt him? And it thy iniquities be multiplied, what shalt thou do against him?
And if thou do justly, what shalt thou give him, or what shall he receive of thy hand?
Thy wickedness may hurt a man that is like thee: and thy justice may help the son of man.
God Will Not Hear the Proud:
There shall they cry, and he will not hear, because of the pride of evil men. God therefore will not hear in vain, and the Almighty will look into the causes of every one.
Yea when thou shalt say: He considereth not: be judged before him, and expect him. For he doth not bring on his fury, neither doth he revenge wickedness exceedingly.
Therefore Job openeth his mouth in vain, and multiplieth words without knowledge,
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