Chapter 34
| Collection: | The Book of Job and 42 Paintings |
| Author: | Fr. Antonio Oteiza |
| Type: | Painting |
| Location: | Cataloguing Room |
| Characteristics: | Acrylic paint on cardboard |
| Artwork: |
Click to enlarge |
| Description: |
Elihu continued, saying: “You who are wise, listen to my words; you who are learned, pay attention to me. For just as the ear distinguishes words and the palate tastes flavours, so let us choose what is right and discern what is good. Job has said: ‘Although I am innocent, God denies me justice. Though justice is on my side, I am regarded as a liar; his arrow has inflicted an incurable wound on me, although I have not sinned.’ Who is like Job, who drinks down mockery like water, joins the company of evildoers and walks with the wicked? He says: ‘It is of no benefit to man to enjoy God’s favour.’ Listen to me, men of understanding: far be iniquity from God and injustice from the Almighty! God repays a man for his deeds and rewards him according to his conduct. Surely God does no wrong, and the Almighty does not pervert justice. Who entrusted the earth to him? Who placed the universe in his care? If he chose to withdraw his spirit and his breath, every living creature would expire and man would return to dust. If you have understanding, listen to me; give ear to my words: Can one who hates justice govern? Do you dare condemn the Most Just, the one who declares a king a criminal and nobles wicked? God shows no partiality to princes, nor does he favour the rich over the poor, for all of them are the work of his hands. Suddenly they die, in the middle of the night; the nobles are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are brought down without a human hand. For God’s eyes are upon the paths of man and watch all his steps. There is no darkness or shadow where evildoers can hide. Nor is it for man to appoint a time to appear before God in judgment. He crushes the mighty without needing to investigate and appoints others in their place. Because he knows their deeds, he overthrows them in the night and they are shattered. He strikes them like criminals in the public square, because they turned away from him and did not follow his ways, causing the cry of the poor to reach God and making him hear the cry of the afflicted. If he remains still, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? He watches over peoples and men so that the godless may not reign and there may be no one to deceive the people. Say to God: ‘I have done wrong; I will sin no more. Teach me what I cannot see, and if I have committed an offence, I will not do it again.’ Should he repay according to your wishes? Since it is you who decide and not I, say what you know. The men of understanding who listen to me, and the wise, will acknowledge: ‘Job speaks without knowledge; his words make no sense. Let him be tested to the utmost for giving answers worthy of a wicked man. For he adds rebellion to his sin; he mocks us to our faces and does not cease speaking against God.’” |
