Chapter 37
| 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: |
At the sight of this, my heart trembles and leaps from its place. Pay attention! Hear the thunder of his voice and the rumbling that comes from his mouth. He sends his lightning beneath the heavens, and it reaches to the ends of the earth. After it his voice roars; he thunders with a majestic voice and no longer restrains the bolts once his voice is heard. God thunders with a marvellous voice and performs mighty deeds that we cannot understand. He commands the snow, “Fall upon the ground,” and the downpour, “Pour down with force!” He brings every man’s activity to a halt so that mortals may recognize that they are his handiwork. The wild beasts retreat into their dens and remain in their lairs. From the chambers of the south comes the storm, and from the northern winds the frost. By the breath of God ice is formed, and the surface of the waters freezes solid. He loads the clouds with moisture and scatters the storm clouds. They turn and whirl about, steered by him, to carry out all his commands over the face of the earth. He makes them strike their mark, whether as a scourge—if men do not obey—or as a favour. Listen to this, Job; stop and consider the wonders of God: Do you know how God directs the clouds and makes his cloud flash with lightning? Do you know how he balances the clouds, wonders of perfect wisdom? You, who swelter in your clothes when the earth lies still beneath the south wind, can you spread out the firmament with him, hard as a mirror of cast metal? Teach us what we should say to him, for in our darkness we cannot argue our case. Must he be told what I intend to say? If someone speaks, must he be informed? Now the light cannot be seen, darkened by the clouds; but a wind will pass and sweep them away. From the north comes a golden radiance; God surrounds himself with awesome majesty. We cannot reach the Almighty: exalted in power and rich in justice, he never violates what is right. Therefore all men fear him, and he shows no regard for those who consider themselves wise.” |
