Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul,
to those who long for death that does not come,
who search for it more than for hidden treasure,
who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave?
For sighing comes to me instead of food; my groans pour out like water.
What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.
I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.

Have you journeyed to the springs of the sea
or walked in the recesses of the deep?
Have the gates of death been shown to you?
What is the way to the abode of light?
And where does darkness reside?
Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?

Tell me, if you know all this.

JOB

9 comments:

Vicus Scurra said...

God really had it in for Job, didn't he? Another example of his being a bit of a bastard. Basically destroys his life, and then has a go at him for presuming to complain.
I think this is all fictional, and that when we get to heaven God will be more like Humphrey Lyttleton.

Sorrow said...

No , no profound answers here.
just chocolate and red wine...

Dave said...

I agree with Vicus.

Well, his second paragraph anyway.
Job clearly is a fictional story - a parable, reminding us that God's ways are not our ways.

God, by the way, doesn't destroy Job's life, but he does stand by and allows it to happen. But then, he didn't stop my house flooding either. Things happen. Job does live happily in the end too.

Mel said...

I think it's a beautifully written piece.

<-- sits in the comfy chair

Zig said...

cheery fellow that Job
but I agree with Dave it's a fictional story as are the majority of the pages that come before and after,
(but only in my very own and no-one elses opinion)

katherine. said...

when you asked if we knew...I thought of Job as well....and then thought about what is being asked.

images of various people came to my mind as I read through the verses. And although I had to google Humphrey Lyttelton...I like the idea of Heaven's greeting being accompanied by trumpet rather than harp...

...and then I wanted Sorrow's wine and chocolate.

katherine. said...

I came back cause I keep thinking about the phrase about wanting Sorrow's wine and chocolate...

Mel said...

Okay then.

I think I'll ponder katherine's phrase a bit....

I, Like The View said...

I'm trying not to whine, and am also avoiding the chocolate (altho I have had some very yummy watermelon!)

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