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 27
St Jerome (1605-1606)
Caravaggio (1571-1610)
Baroque Style
Santa Maria de Montserrat Abbey, Monistrol de Montserrat, Spain
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art
Explanation: In Job 6 Job begins his answer to Eliphaz and concludes it in chapter 7. The image above shows Jerome contemplating death; likewise, Job contemplated death -- longing for it (v. 9), and expecting it (v. 11). [Traditional Patriarchal Timeline. Judges Period Chronology. Kings of Judah and Israel #1. Kings of Judah and Israel #2]. [Chronologically and Thematically Related Scriptures: Job 4, Job 5, Job 7].
Job began his reply to Eliphaz with a lament. He wished that his grief were thoroughly weighed and his calamity laid in the balances. He said it would be heavier than the sand of the sea. He said he had been shot with the poison arrows of the Almighty, and it was drinking up his spirit. He said that God's terrors surrounded him. And he said that, unlike the well fed donkeys or oxen, his soul had eaten sorrowful food -- food that was like unsavory or tasteless things (1-7). He askie that God might grant him one request -- to be cut off. Then he could harden himself in his sorrow. He asks this because he has been faithful to God by not concealing his words. He acknowledged that he did not have the strength of stones or of bronze; and, therefore, he could neither hope nor prolong his life. He had no inward help and no wisdom. He wished, in this affliction, that pity would be shown from his friends. Instead, they withheld pity, thereby forsaking the fear of the Almighty. They are as treacherous as dried-up streams which vanish when it is hot and leave the caravans without water. His friends had become as nothing to him, even though he had not asked them for anything extraordinary, such as money or deliverance from his adversaries (8-23). He asked them to teach him how he had gone astray, to argue with upright words. He told them that they were digging a pit for their friend. He asked them to look at him and they would see if he was lying. He asked them to turn to him because his vindication was at stake. He said there was no injustice in his tongue and that he knew how to discern perverse things (24-30).
Job 6
1 But Job answered and said,
2 Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together!
3 For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
4 For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me.
5 Doth the wild ass bray when he hath grass? or loweth the ox over his fodder?
6 Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?
7 The things that my soul refused to touch are as my sorrowful meat.
8 Oh that I might have my request; and that God would grant me the thing that I long for!
9 Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!
10 Then should I yet have comfort; yea, I would harden myself in sorrow: let him not spare; for I have not concealed the words of the Holy One.
11 What is my strength, that I should hope? and what is mine end, that I should prolong my life?
12 Is my strength the strength of stones? or is my flesh of brass?
13 Is not my help in me? and is wisdom driven quite from me?
14 To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.
15 My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away;
16 Which are blackish by reason of the ice, and wherein the snow is hid:
17 What time they wax warm, they vanish: when it is hot, they are consumed out of their place.
18 The paths of their way are turned aside; they go to nothing, and perish.
19 The troops of Tema looked, the companies of Sheba waited for them.
20 They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed.
21 For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid.
22 Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance?
23 Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty?
24 Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred.
25 How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove?
26 Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?
27 Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.
28 Now therefore be content, look upon me; for it is evident unto you if I lie.
29 Return, I pray you, let it not be iniquity; yea, return again, my righteousness is in it.
30 Is there iniquity in my tongue? cannot my taste discern perverse things?
ADDITIONAL AD LIB MATERIAL: Prose, Poetry, Writers, Visual Artists, Music, DAWN, and ILLUMINATION. ILLUMINATION features a compact, Illuminated Bible. DAWN, the page you are presently visiting, features a new image and explanation daily.
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