THE VOICE OF GOD In every controversy between men, everyone would like to have the last word that puts an end to the debate. The Lord left the debate open between ‘Job’ and his three friends, until it came to an end; Then came Elihu and talked until he, in turn, had nothing more to say. Finally God intervened to proclaim His ultimate divine ordinance that puts an end to every human ordinance1. God;s intervention, appearance, and public debate, present a magnificent portrait of God’s exalted care for the wounded souls, that have no one to care for them, and have compassion on them. He may adopt a firm position, Yet, in His firmness he proclaims His fatherhood and compassion, and shines with His splendor on those who suffer, to make them blessed. Although God did not give ‘Job’ direct answers, Yet He gave Him the opportunity to debate with his mighty Creator, and held his hand to get in touch with God’s care for the entire humanity, and His exalted works for their sake. When ‘Job’ kept silent, and felt completely helpless before the secret of God’a exalted love; God raised him up to a level that never was in his consideration; and granted him more than he asked for, and above what he sought. The accusations by his elder friends darkened the way of wisdom, until Elihu talked, and the light of dawn prevailed. Then God Himself intervened, and the way of wisdom got utterly enlightened by the divine voice. Job’s friends said that God would not necessarily talk; And behold, He is there, talking to ‘Job’, and entering with him into a challenge, as though between two equals! What an exalted love and comfort for His believers! for God to debate, converse with them! God entered into a challenge with Satan (Job 1 & 2). Now He enters into one with ‘Job’, through two stages, between which ‘Job’ showed his submission to God. Job’s very concise response 1 Cf. Matthew Henry Commentary on Job 38. 170 each time (40: 3-5; 42: 1-6), showed his blamelessness, and the corruption of Satan’s tricks. 1- The divine challenge (38: 1; 40: 2)) 2- Job’s submission (40: 3-5); then his silence. 3- A new divine challenge (40: 6; 41: 34) 4- A confession: A restoration of the way of wisdom (42: 1- 6). 5- A reform to the situation: a victory for Job’s wisdom (42: 7-17). A POETIC CONVERSATION BETWEEN THE LORD AND ‘JOB’: God getting out of His silence, answered ‘job’ out of the whirlwind; which was befitting to His exalted majesty. To Job’s claim that God is remote; God responded by coming, and demonstrating in a practical way that he is close to man. To Job’s claim that God does not care for mankind; God allowed for him to enter into temptation, Then He came by Himself to confirm that He still loves and cares for him. To Job’s misunderstanding of God’s silence, and to his probable misunderstanding of His presence now; God spoke, granting him the same grace He previously granted to Moses. His voice came out of the whirlwind which indicates His presence; Yet, in His talk, He made it clear, that His goal was not to crush, or to ridicule ‘Job’ through comparing his size, which is naught, to the unlimited might of God; Nor comparing his tiny mind, to the unlimited wisdom of God. Although God gave no direct answers to Job’s questions; He presented to him, instead, several questions of His own, to demonstrate the extent of Job’s ignorance; and to proclaim the glories of creation, and man’s weakness in comparison. God did not answer any of Job’s questions, to show that what ‘Job’ thinks concerning God’s alleged lack of care for him is of no value, and to lift Job’s mind up from the confinement of his own problems, to God’s exalted work for his sake and for the sake 171 of all mankind; to lift him up from his closed world to a more spacious one. God commands ‘Job’ to gird himself up like a man, to answer questions concerning the following points: 1- The wonders of the world non-living creation (38: 4-38): the earth and the sea (4-11). 2- The dawn (12-15), and its effect on the wicked who prefer darkness to light. 3- The hidden things (16-21), like the total area of the earth. 4- The control of the natural phenomena, like snow, hail, wind, rain, lightning, frost, ice; and of the systems of the stars and the heavenly bodies? 5- The wonders of the animal world (39-41): a- The wild donkey and ox; that ‘Job’ would not be able to put to use in agriculture work, like the domesticated ones? Only God can! b- The Ostrich, the hawk, and the eagle; whose life would fill job’s heart with awe for God’s exalted majesty, As ‘Job’ kept silent to all that, God talked again out of the whirlwind. GOD’S SECOND TALK (Job 40: 6 to 41: 34): In response to Job’s wish to make sure of the uprightness of God’s policy toward mankind and the world; God, mockingly, suggested to him to assume divine authority and ordain the world! … ; to be clothed with the majestic robe of God, If he got the mighty arm of God, and His governing voice! And to put Job’s ability to govern to test; two mighty animals: behemoth (known as the river horse or unicorn), and leviathan (the crocodile or alligator), would be brought by God to ‘Job’. To see if he can he manage to submit them to his authority? If not, how can he dare to question God’s amazing might and authority? To this ‘Job’ humbly acknowledged God’s might; and confessed that God’s dealing with him is based upon an exalted wisdom; God’s light shone on him, and he instantly recognized the truth. 172 CHAPTER 38 THE NON-LIVING CREATION Once Elihu’s talk came to an end, the whirlwind he saw approaching, came and dwelt upon them; and out of it the voice of God was heard talking to “Job’. Now, did those present actually hear the voice of God? In John 12: 29 and Acts 22: 9, those present in those situations, heard the voice, yet did not realize its significance. The whole point behind the divine talk to ‘Job’ was that, Since ‘Job’ is not able to interpret God’s works in creation; It would therefore be more befitting of him to deliver his life to God’s ordinances, even if he cannot realize what is beyond them. ‘Job’ requested from God to ask him, and he would answer; Or to let him talk, and then answer his questions (Job 13: 22). ‘Job’ expected to hear God, question him about particular sins he has committed; but did not expect Him to enquire about things concerning the wonders of creation that He has performed for the sake of man. As for Elihu, he prepared ‘Job’ for his encounter with God, and for talking to Him; yet not with the spirit of grumbling or complaining, but with that of submission. 1- God challenges ‘Job’ to answer His questions 1 – 3 2- Job’s ignorance of the way God created the earth 4 – 7 3- Job’s ignorance of the way God fixed limits for the sea 8 – 11 4- Job’s ignorance of how dawn emerges 12 – 15 5- Job’s ignorance and non-comprehension of the shadow of death and darkness 16 – 21 6- Job’s ignorance of how the clouds, the hail, the thunder, etc. are formed 22 – 30 7- Job’s ignorance of the stars of heaven, and how they influence the earth 31 – 33 173 8- Job cannot recognize God’s might in the atmospheric and natural phenomena 34 – 38 9- God’s care for the irrational animals 39 – 41 1- GOD CHALLENGES ‘JOB’ TO ANSWER HIS QUESTIONS: “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said: …” (Job 38: 1). Some scholars believe that the Hebrew word translated here as ‘whirlwind’, is different from the one that came in the last chapter, in which the word ‘whirlwind’ refers to a state of severe disturbance, and chaos; Here, it most probably refers to a mere mental storm that fills Job’s mind with feelings of awe and reverence toward the greatness of God1. The way God spoke to Moses on the Mount of Sinai amid the thunder and the lightning (Exodus 19: 16-19), He spoke to ‘Job’, amid signs of greatness of His majesty (Psalm 18: 9-13; Habakkuk 3: 3-6; Psalm 50: 3-4). Appearing to ‘Job’ to justify him before those present, yet with no partiality, God tended to reveal to him his weakness, and to take away from him his grumbling and complaining. In His compassion toward man, God provides him with limitless blessings, after guiding him to rid himself of his faults and weaknesses. When ‘Job’ lost all his wealth and his children, everything seemed in his eyes, as working against him. But having so much love for God, all those evil things that dwelt upon him worked to his benefit (Job 42: 9-17). What happened to his body, prepared him for the crown of heaven (Job 7: 5); and before the temptation, God has not spoken to him, the way a friend speaks to his friend (38: 1; 42: 9). Therefore, let the calamities dwell; Let the tribulations fall; as long as Christ will come after them2. St. Jerome 1 Cf. Adam Clarke’s Commentary. 2 Homilies on the Psalms, 5. 174 How about Him, who answered ‘Job’ out of the whirlwind and clouds; the One, slow to chasten, and quick to help; Who does not allow for the rod of the wicked to fall upon the portion of the righteous1? St. Gregory the Nezenzian Someone may probably ask: Why did God speak to ‘Job’ out of the whirlwind? 1- For fear that ‘Job’ may fall in pride, because of commending him publicly before his friends; and commanding them to apologize to him, and even to ask him to pray for them; God intended to keep Job’s life and victories within the spirit of humility. 2- God’s way of talking to ‘Job’, out of the whirlwind, and not through angels, the way He did with other saints, like the prophet Daniel; or through visions, like the prophet Ezekiel; or through dreams, like the righteous Joseph; was intended to rebuke Job’s friends, and to honor that righteous man, to whom the Lord Himself came down to enter into a debate with him; something for which they, themselves, were not qualified. 3- St. John Chrysostom believes that God covered ‘Job’ with clouds and whirlwinds; as though He came to talk to him “from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the covenant from between the two cherubim” (Numbers 7: 89). I believe that God ordained, at that very moment, for ‘Job’ to be covered with a cloud, in order to lift his thoughts up, and to let him know that the voice he is hearing, is as though, coming “from above the mercy seat that was on the ark of the covenant” (Numbers 7: 89). As the cloud is a symbol of heaven, God intended for ‘Job’ to be put in heaven itself, and to come to him with His throne. It seems to me that the same thing happened when a dense cloud dwelt upon the Mount of Sinai (Exodus 19: 16); to let the children of Israel know that the voice is coming from high above. 1 On the Great Athanasius, 18. 175 St. John Chrysostom Some may probably wonder why did God start his talk by rebuking ‘Job’, and why did He direct to him such questions, intending to reveal his inability to comprehend God’s secrets, wisdom, and His plans? When He has previously commended him before Satan, and defended him before his friends. But that is how God proclaims His exalted love for His believers; Although He sometimes stand firm, even amid their afflictions and temptations, Yet He defends them before others, and prepares for them exalted glories. Although He fears lest they may fall by the sword of pride, Yet His eyes are always on them, keeping, sanctifying, and glorifying them before His angels, before men, and even before Satan himself. After losing his possessions, the death of his children, the infirmities of his body, the words of his wife, attempting to lead him to blasphemy, the language of reviles from those who came to comfort him, and the many arrows of sorrow that he bravely endured; That blessed man ‘Job’ was worthy of being commended by the divine Judge, when the time to call him back from this world drew near. But now is rather the time for him to receive two portions of blessings; and to get back his past well being, and to enjoy his restored possessions for an extended time. That is why God intended by rebuking him with firm justice, to protect him, lest, by his conquest itself, he would be slain by the sword of pride! Pope Gregory the Great “Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” (Job 38: 2). It was befitting of ‘Job’ to shed light on the wisdom of God, for others to recognize; but he instead, spoke about the injustice under which he is falling. So God is correcting that position of ‘Job’, who, although righteous, yet he uttered some words of admonishment, that distorted the image of God’s plan before others. 176 God admonishes ‘Job’, saying to him: ‘Who are you, who intends to talk about God’s deep secrets, justice, and care; when, being unable to comprehend them, you present a darkened interpretation of them?! The text in the Septuagint version came as: “Who is he, who hides counsel from me; and who shuts on words in his heart, assuming that he is hiding them from me?” And in the Jesuit version, it came as: “Who is he who darkens My righteousness by words without knowledge?”. And St. Cyril the Great used this phrase in His interpretation of what came in the gospel according to (Luke 22: 64) “Having blindfolded Him, they struck Him on the face and asked Him, saying, ‘Prophesy! Who is it that struck You?’” How could it be possible for Him, who search the heart and mind, and who grants every prophecy, not know who struck Him?; But it is as the Lord Christ says: “(Darkness)has blinded their eyes, and hardened their hearts” (John 12: 40)1. St. Cyril the Great Referring to the extensive gap that separates us from Him, God says: “Tell me: Who is he who attempts to hide himself from Me, who knows all secrets?” St. John Chrysostom “Gird up your loins like a man, I shall question you, and you shall answer me” (Job 38: 3). While appearing in the whirlwind, where no man can stand in its way, God demands from ‘Job’ to gird up his loins, preparing himself for some very serious task (Exodus 12: 11; 1 Kings 18: 6). The word ‘man’ here, came in Hebrew as ‘kageber’, meaning (hero); It is as though God says to him: Take away from your mind all fear, and stand before Me as a hero; I shall present to you a series of questions; By answering them, you will be answering yourself, the issues you dealt with about Me with your friends. 1 Commentary on Luke, Homily 150. 177 As to the expression: “Gird your loins” or “Gird yourself”; That was because garments in the old used to be too large to allow man to run, work, or fight, without girding himself. Up to this day, soldiers and officers gird themselves during battles. Girding oneself is an expression meaning ‘hold yourself up’. God said it to ‘Job’ (38: 3); and so He did to all prophets, like Moses; God Himself appeared girded up to Ezekiel (9: 11 LXX); And the angels, being soldiers, appear as such (Revelation 15: 6)1. St. John Chrysostom +God commanded ‘Job’ to gird himself up, as a sign of maturity (manhood), and of being prepared for action2. St. Cyril the Great +David boasts that he is girded up by the strength of God (Psalm 18: 32); And speaks of God as “girding Himself with strength” (Psalm 93: 1) – against the wicked --; and “covering Himself with light as with garment” (Psalm 104: 2). Who can stand before His limitless strength, and His light3?! St. Gregory the Nezenzian 2- JOB’S IGNORANCE OF THE WAY GOD CREATED THE EARTH: “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell Me if you have understanding!” (Job 38: 4). The first question God asked ‘Job’, was where he was when He laid the foundation of the earth for his sake? As a matter of fact, on one aspect, neither ‘Job’, nor even ‘Adam’, were created; And on another aspect, God created the earth for him and his brethren, even before their existence. As ‘Job’ did not exist when God laid the foundation of the earth; And, accordingly, he could not have contributed in the creation process; given a counsel, or even comprehended or 1 Homilies on Ephesians, 23. 2 The Long Rules, Question 23. 3 Oration 41 on Easter, 18. 178 understood what God was doing for his sake!; How then could he dare to complain against God’s plan toward him?! If ‘Job’ was in no position to understand what lie behind laying the foundation of the earth, how can he realize God’s plan and wisdom? It is as though, the Lord says to ‘Job’: ‘What can you say? If it is for your sake, I have laid the foundation of the earth with such care; shall I disregard the one for whose sake I have laid it? … He says that, as well, to those who demand from Him to give an account and an interpretation of the events, without taking into consideration: his exalted wisdom; … Who made Him do it; who gave Him counsel; and who was there to help Him?! St. John Chrysostom “Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it?” (Job 38: 5). He asks him: Do you know who determined the measurements of the earth? Who was the Architect who planned the dimensions of the equator? And who stretched the line upon it1?! These divine words demonstrates that the earth on which man lives, did not exist haphazardly; But behind its elaborate planning there is the greatest Architect, with His exalted wisdom and might. Presenting to us a symbolic interpretation of this phrase, Pope Gregory the Great believes that the earth here is the life of man; the foundation on which it is set, is the steadfast faith in the fear of God; and that faith with all its measurements is the work of God in us; we should not refer it to ourselves. The foundation of this earth is faith; which is laid when the hidden places of the heart are characterized by the fear of God, being the first cause of the steadfastness … It is said to ‘Job’, ‘Do not refer to yourself, the virtues, you have taken from Me… Lest I destroy in you what I have set, It is befitting of you to keep on meditating in how I established you … We can keep what we now have, if we do not ever disregard how we have been established. 1 المطمار هو خیط البناء الذي یضمن به استواء الحائط ووضعه ال أ رسي. 179 Who laid the foundation of this earth, but our Creator? He who, through the hidden ordinance of His inner plan, grants one a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge; a perfect faith, the grace of healing; performing miracles; prophecy; the discernment of spirits; an assortment of tongues; and the interpretation of sermons … That is the way done by our Creator, in order to keep man from boasting the gift given to him, and to let him be humble concerning those gifts he was not given! … God so ordain things; that everyone is given a specific gift; And all the gifts combined, are considered as given to each individual … Through the bond of love, everyone possesses in the other what he himself lacks; and with humility, he presents to his brother what he himself is given, as his own. And as said by St. Peter: “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of god” (1 Peter 4: 10). … And by Paul: “Through love, serve one another” (Galatians 5: 13) … And: “As God has dealt to each one a measure of faith” (Romans 12: 3). Pope Gregory the Great “Stretched the line upon it”. Pope Gregory the Great believes that those who stretch the line upon the earth to bring about the spirit of faith are the preachers who cannot work except by God Himself. As an example he mentions the apostle Paul, who, when he once disregarded preaching am Macedonia, a man from Macedonia appeared to him in a dream, pleading with him to go there to help them (Acts 16: 9); And another time, when he intended to go to Bithinia, the Spirit did not permit him (Acts 16: 7). “To what were its foundation fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone?” (Job 38: 6). The talk here is symbolic, about the creation of the earth as a palace set by God for man – the king; laid its foundation, and its cornerstone, to establish an integral, strong, and spacious building. If the Lord Christ, the incarnated Word of God, or faith in Him, is the foundation on whom the new earth is set – the church of God – Its bases or the pillars set on that foundation, is the life, holy in the Lord, or the virtues we practice, by the righteousness and 180 grace of Christ, where our hearts, will, and inner energies, are sanctified and dedicated. Believing that the holy land established by God is faith, what are the pillars of this earth? Who are the pillars of this earth, but the teachers of the holy church? These pillars could also refer to the prophets; who, speaking about the incarnation of the Lord, we saw them as pillars set on the Lord Christ the foundation of faith; and carrying the building set on them. “Or who laid its cornerstone?” … It is obvious to everyone: Who is he, to whom the Holy Book refers as the “Cornerstone”; … He, who took in Himself, the Jews on one side, and the Gentiles on the other side, and bound them together as two walls in the building of the church; as it is written: “has made both one” (Ephesians 2: 14). He manifested Himself as a Cornerstone, not only in the lower things, but in the higher things as well; having unified the Gentile nations with the people of Israel on earth; And unified both of them together with the angels in heaven; When the angels proclaimed at His birth: “Peace on earth” (Luke 2: 14) Pope Gregory the Great “Who are You, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel, you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it’ (Zechariah 4: 7). “Having been built on the foundation of the apostles and the prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief Cornerstone” (Ephesians 2: 20) St. Augustine1 believes that, by calling the Lord Christ the “Cornerstone”, being the Head of the church; the church, in turn, would become the cornerstone that binds the Jews on one side, and the Gentiles on the other side. On that day, when He was born, properly called ‘the Theophany’; namely, ‘the Divine Proclamation’, both the (Jew) 1 Sermons on N.T. 39: 4. 181 shepherds and the (Gentile) Magi, worshipped Him … He was indeed born as a Cornerstone for those two; And as said by the apostle: “To create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross” ( Ephesians 2: 15-16). What is a cornerstone other than binding two walls of two different directions; as though kissing each other! The circumcised and the un-circumcised; namely, the Jews and the Gentles; Those who used to bear mutual animosity; and who have basic things that separate them from each other: The Jews worshipping the One true God; and the Gentiles who used to worship several vain gods; He drew the two groups to Himself, and reconciled them with God in the one body; the apostle added: “By the cross, killing the animosity1” (Ephesians 2: 16). “When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” (Job 38: 7). When building a house, a church, or any other project, the start of digging and the laying the foundation are usually celebrated by the builders.. “When the builders laid the foundations of the temple of the Lord, the priests stood in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites, the sons of Asaph, with cymbals, to praise the Lord,… ‘For He is good, For His mercy endures forever toward Israel’. Then the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the Lord because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid” (Ezra 3: 10-11). And when God sets His church, it is said: “He shall bring forth the cornerstone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it” (Zechariah 4: 7). And on the birth of the Lord Christ, the Cornerstone of the church of the New Testament, “Suddenly there was with the angel, a multitude of the heavenly host praising God” (Luke 2: 13). What an amazing portrait! The “morning stars”, the heavenly hosts of light setting forth, praising God, and shouting for joy, when they saw that the foundations of the earth were laid. 1 Hom for Epiphany, Ser. 204, PL 38: 1037. 182 Although they were not laid for their sake, but for that of the man (to be created), Yet with love they counted the happiness of mankind as their own. God likens Himself, when He created the world, to an Architect who built an amazing house; on which the heavenly hosts rejoiced. … Where was ‘Job’ then?! In the seventh chapter of father Cerinus’ debate, he stated that God created the heavenly hosts before creating the world; as is clear from His words to ’Job’: “When I made the stars, the angels sang together, shouted loudly for joy, praising Me” (Job 38: 7 LXX); Which indicate that angels were there as God started creating the world, praising Him for His work1. In a commentary on the signs of the end of the world, that came in (Matthew 24: 29), St. John Chrysostom says that, as the angels shouted loudly for joy. praising God on His creation of the stars (38: 7 LXX); They will praise Him more, at the end of time, when the ultimate change will happen, and the stars will fall down; as there will be no need for them, because there will be no night in eternity2. All that unutterable glorious harmony among the high heavenly hosts, and in their ministry to God, is initiated and kept by the guidance of the Holy Spirit3. St. Cyril the Great Whoever dare to claim that the angels were created following the six days of creation; his foolishness would be apparent by the words said by God to ‘Job’ in (38: 7). The stars were created on the fourth day; shall we say that the angels were created on the third day?! Far from it; as we know that on that day, the dry land separated from the seas, and then the earth produced everything on it4. St. Augustine 1 Cassian: Conferences, 8:7:2. 2 Cf. Homilies on Matt., Homily 76:3. 3 On the Spirit, 16: 38. 4 City of God, 11:9. 183 3- JOB’S IGNORANCE OF THE WAY GOD FIXED LIMITS FOR THE SEA: “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb?” (Job 38: 8). This probably refers to the third day of creation, when God said: “Let the water under the sky gather together into one place” (Genesis 1: 9). The dry land and the sea were mixed together; and when God commanded them to separate, water burst forth as though from the womb of the earth to form the huge seas, that became, as though shut in with locked doors, from which they cannot come out. Pope Gregory the Great believes that the sea here symbolizes the heart that man cannot keep sanctified without the divine grace. What is this sea but our heart rebellious in violent and bitter struggle, boasting with the haughtiness of pride, and oppressed by the deceit of evil? How mighty are its turbulent waves! Something realized by those who understand the secret of the temptations of thoughts within themselves. Pope Gregory the Great He says: “When it burst out of the womb?”, to show that all that happened in stages, and not in a single strike. It reflects what Moses said; as though he was personally there when the sea was born: That the sea started by bursting out, and then took up its form, gathering together in one place (Genesis 1: 9). Do not think that it is something natural for the sea to be limited by shores; because God allowed for the water at first to spread all over the earth. St. John Chrysostom “… when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness (the mist) its swaddling band” (Job 38: 9). He likens the sea to a newly born baby, needing a garment and a swaddling band; So God provided it with the clouds as a garment to cover it; and the mist as a swaddling band to hold it 184 tight. God deals with the huge sea, with its mighty waves and sweeping currents, as a tiny baby that needs a nurse to care for it. He did not charge that responsibility to the mountains, the hills, and the rocks, but charged it to the clouds and mist; something that would never come on man’s mind! Do not look at the mist above the water as a something natural or haphazard; It is there through a divine command! St. John Chrysostom “When I fixed My limits for it, and set bars and doors” (Job 38: 10). Lest the sea would rebel and destroy man’s life on earth, God committed it to certain limits, and set for it bars and doors to limit its movements. Yet these bars and doors were not set to make the sea lose its role, or suppress its mission; but, on the contrary, they are for the benefit of both the sea itself, and the earth. God set for us His divine laws or commandments, not to suppress our freedom to breathe, or to deprive us of happiness; but, to let us by them, conform, in order to assume once again the image of God, according to which we were first created, for the sake of our happiness and that of others. The commandment are not meant to confine us as though in a prison, but to make our hearts more spacious with love toward God and fellow men, even those opponents to us; to love all creation, beside loving ourselves in the lord. “When I said, ‘This far you may come, but no further; and here your proud waves must stop” (Job 38: 11). Here we find nothing of the legends that prevailed in the old, like the appearance of huge and horrible sea creatures; But everything took place in a magnificent and spiritual way; portraying the sea as though born in a peaceful atmosphere, with a vital role to interact with the dry land for the benefit of man; with limits set, not to be broken, despite the hugeness of the oceans, and the might of its waves. The sea, with its great depth, and mighty waves and currents, being told: “This far you may come, but no further, and here 185 your proud waves must stop”; It stops at a clear boundary made by the waves, proclaiming its utter abidance to the fixed limitation set for it1. (St. Cyril of Jerusalem) The prophet Jeremiah says: “’Do you not fear Me?, says the Lord, Will you not tremble at My presence, who have placed the sand as the bound of the sea, by a perpetual decree, that it cannot pass beyond it? And though the waves toss to and fro, yet they cannot prevail; Though they roar, yet they cannot pass over it’” ((Jeremiah 5: 22). Father Theodoret, bishop of Koresh, presents the sea as an evidence of the divine care: I draw your attention to the sea with its depths, extension, gulfs, shores, ports, islands, fishes of different kinds, races, and forms; … Notice the limitation set by the divine ordinance on its waves, to rein its progress toward the sand of the shore; likening a spiritual horse reined by its coach, to whom it bows its neck, as it reaches the shore, as though offering a kind of repentance2. Father Theodoret, bishop of Koresh How amazing, that the mighty sea is reined by the weakest thing in nature, namely the tiny particles of sand on the shore! St. Cyril the Great 4- JOB’S IGNORANCE OF HOWDAWN EMERGES: “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place?” (Job 38: 12). God poses to ‘Job’ confusing questions to make him know his utter inability to realize God’s wisdom, and feel that there is no comparison between his mind and that of God. These questions, although the progress of science gives answers to some of them, yet the secrets of nature remain above any human intellect; What we know cannot be compared to what we do not. He does not ask him: Can you hasten dawn to emerge, and the morning light to shine? But He asks him two things: Was man 1 Catechetical Lectures, 9:11. 2 On Divine Providence, Discourse 2: 18. 186 there when God commanded the light to appear? And can he instruct dawn to emerge?! … As expressed by the Psalmist: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork” (Psalm 19: 1). The heavens (the heavenly bodies) obey Him; moving peacefully in abidance to His laws. Day and night, they follow their designated routes, without hindering one another. The sun, the moon, and the stars go their ways according to his ordinance, without any diversion. The fertile land, in abidance to His will, produce in due season an abundance of food for man and beasts, and for all creatures on earth. The depths (the bottomless abyss), and all the unknown orders of the lower world, submit to the same laws. The vast sea, abides to the limitations set for it by God; Who said: “This far you may come, but no further, and here your proud waves must stop” (Job 38: 11); An un-passable ocean; and a world beyond it, under the guidance of God (probably referring to the American continent not yet discovered) 1. The seasons of spring, summer, autumn, and winter, peacefully follow one another. The winds2 do their role, freely, and with no hindrance; The inexhaustible springs offer their breasts for the benefit of mankind; and the large and small animals peacefully coexist. Everything is ordained by the great Creator, in complete harmony, for the benefit of all, especially for us, who find refuge in ص ٨٤ ) على هذه العبارة بأنه من المحتمل أن یكون اكلیمندس متوقعًا أرضًا في أقصى الغرب ) Lightfoot 1 یعلّق و ا رء المحیط متل جزیرة اتلنتس الخ ا رفیّة التي ظن أفلاطون وجودها في المحیط الأطلسي، أي ربّما قصد أمریكا الحقیقیة التي لم تكن مكتشفة بعد. .(٢٥ : 2 أو ا زن الریاح (أي ٢٨ 187 His compassion by our lord Jesus Christ; to whom is the glory, forever, Amen1. St. Clement, the Roman Pope Gregory the Great, in his symbolic interpretation, believes that the holy church, being enlightened by the rays of the Sun of righteousness, is called “dawn”; anticipating the reward of the shining heavenly life, and forsaking the darkness of sin. “That it might take hold of the ends of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it” (Job 38: 13). He portrays the dawn appearing with its beautiful colors, out of the darkness, to put an end to the works of the wicked who find in the darkness of the night their chance to practice their evil deeds. Pope Gregory the Great believes that “the ends of the earth” refer to the humble fishermen, who were picked up by the lord Christ, and who later on, muted the teachers of the law. “It takes on form like clay under a seal; and stands out like a garment” (Job 38: 14). The bricks in Egypt, Babylon, and Assyria, used to bear a seal, to designate the different brick factories where they were made. The ancient Egyptian wine pots and the coffins of mummies were likewise sealed. In Assyria, documents were excavated, kept in covers of clay with the official seal. Discovered underground chambers, where treasures were kept, were found so sealed; and most probably the tomb of the Lord Christ had such a seal (Matthew 27: 66). Clay was preferred to wax, as the former becomes harder by fire, while the later melts down2. As with every new dawn, the sun rises on earth, and appear as though clothed with a new garment; the Sun of Righteousness shines with His light on His church, to let her enjoy with the advent of every morning, a new experience of God’s love; The image of the Lord Christ appearing on His church and on His true believers, the way a seal appears on the clay. 1 1 Epistle, 20. 2 James M. Freeman: Manners and Customs of the Bible, Logos International Plainfield. N J, 1972, p. 214-5. 188 “From the wicked their light is withheld, and the upraised arm is broken” (Job 38: 15). ‘Job’ already talked about how thieves and the adulterers dread the morning light which exposes them (Job 24: 13). Here God proclaims the rays of morning light; namely, the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, that cover the true church with the splendor of His garment of righteousness; And that, at the same time, withhold the light from the wicked, and break their arm, upraised against God and men. The light of the Lord Christ, who grants an eternal life to His believers, is judgment to His opponents; according to the words of Christ Himself: “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would have no sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin” (John 15: 22); And to those of the apostle: “To the one we are the aroma of death to death, and to the other the aroma of life to life” (2 Corinthians 2: 16). To whom is it “the aroma of death to death”, but to those who do not believe, and do not submit to the Word (Logos) of God? … And again Who are those who are saved and get the inheritance, but to those who believe in God, and abide in his love, as did Caleb son of Jephunneh and Joshua son of Nun (Numbers 14: 30), and the innocent children (Jonah 4: 11) who had no sense of evil? But who are they who are saved now, and will enjoy the eternal life? But those who love God, believe in His promises, and are children in malice (1 Corinthians 14: 20)1? St. Erinaos 1 Adv. Haer. 4:28:3. 189 5- JOB’S IGNORANCE AND NONCOMPREHENSION OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH AND DARKNESS: “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep?” (Job 38: 16). He asks him if he knows what the depth of the sea contains of treasures; if he can describe the springs of the sea; and if he realizes the secrets of the water and the secret of death. Referring to Job’s obvious confusion, God asks him if he walked in the recesses of the deep. and says to him, that he is, not only unable to do any of the things that He did, but even to know how they were done, or to imagine how and what they really are. By these words God intended to draw Job’s attention to the vast gap between God and him. St. John Chrysostom “Have the gates of death been revealed to you? Or have you seen the doors of the shadow of death?” (Job 38: 17). After asking him about things that concern nature, like the appearance of dawn, the springs of the sea, and the contents of its depth; He asks him now about something that touches the life of man; namely, death; that, although it accompanies him since the moment of his birth, yet he has no idea, when, or how it will happen, cannot describe it, nor can describe where his soul will go, or what he will do there after death! Although death is a fact that touches the life of every man, Yet what concern it are only presented to us by faith, and revealed to us by the loving Creator; Some believe that, by death, He means the place where souls gather together after departure; namely, the kingdom of the dead, or Hades. Whereas by the shadow of death, He refers to the moments and the process by which souls depart and set forth; things that are vague to man, but revealed to God. How could we marvel that man has failed, with his earthly wisdom, to realize the secret of God the Father, and our Lord 190 Jesus Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2: 3); the secret that the angels would never know unless proclaimed to them. As, Who, by himself – and not by faith – can imagine and follow the Lord Jesus, the Word of God, descending from high up in heaven, down to Hades, Then ascending from Hades up to heaven; while, at the same time dwelling among us, without any decrease from what He was?! Heavens could not endure the glory of resurrection from the dead, of Him who ultimately got caught in the narrow bonds of the tomb; that even the angels stood perplexed and in awe before that heavenly secret! Preceded by the astonished angels and the archangels, the victorious Lord came to His holy temple, with amazing spoils, set free from death by the conquest of the cross, and brought over to an eternal conquest. As all the gates were not wide enough to accommodate His glory, they searched for more spacious ways for the return of the Lord. Yet, because the gates of righteousness; namely, those of the Old and the New Testaments, opening to heavens, were everlasting gates, and cannot truly change, they were lifted up, because the One who is going to enter through them, is not a man, but is the whole world entering in the person of the Savior of all. St. Ambrose “Have you comprehended the breadth of the earth? Tell Me if you know all this” (Job 38: 18). As by that time, no one has ever got around the globe, it was not possible to estimate its exact dimensions; although the planet earth, in itself, is not more than a point amid this entire great universe created by God. “Where is the way to the dwelling of light? And darkness, where is its place?” (Job 38: 19). Man is used every day to watch the light and the darkness following one another; But Does he know the secret of each, and where they dwell? … And if he is not able to fix a designated place for the seen light and darkness, how could he know the unseen God 191 who created the light, and separated it from the darkness? And what could man know about the Light of the divine righteousness, and the darkness of evil? Man may know that God can turn man’s heart from the darkness of evil to the light of righteousness. But he cannot exactly explain how could this be realized?. Every day we get in touch with this work of God, shining with the light of His righteousness on the sinners, to transform them into saints. “That you may take it to its territory, that you may know the paths to its home?” (Job 38: 20). It often happen that man longs for the light of the day to shine, in order to do a certain work; and longs for the darkness of the night to dwell, in order to get some rest from the labor of the day. Yet he does not know where this or that go! “Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great” (Job 38: 21). By that, God intends to reveal the true value of man outside the circle of His grace! It is not befitting of man to debate with God in things beyond his ability, like the creation of light; but, in faith he should listen to His divine words: “I form the light and create darkness; I make peace and create calamity (chastisements); I the Lord do all these things” (Isaiah 45: 7). 6- JOB’S IGNORANCE OF HOW THE CLOUDS, THE HAIL, THE THUNDER, ETC. ARE FORMED: “Have you entered the storehouses of snow, or have you seen the storehouses of hail?” (Job 38: 22). After discussing the issue of creation, He referred to the natural phenomena, like the falling of the rain and the snow, and the blowing of the wind, etc. All of which God created for the sake of man. It was befitting of ‘Job’ to meditate in these amazing works, that the human mind cannot completely explain, although they are there for his sake; instead of being only preoccupied with the temptations dwelling upon him. There is no comparison between the afflictions that God allows on man, and His divine care for the entire world for the sake of man. It is befitting of the 192 believer to make his mind and heart more spacious, to glorify the Creator for ordaining everything for his own sake. Watching and marveling at the huge and limitless amount of snow that fall on vast stretches of land, the inhabitants of those cold regions feel the care of God for them; and see in the snow great treasures; as it keeps the warmth of the land, keeps its temperature from falling much below zero; as well as gives fertility to the land, which is apparent directly after the period of snow falling, when the plants of the land that was covered with snow grow with an incredible pace. “Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war” (Job 38: 23) The Lord has used those storehouses of snow and hailstones to chasten the wicked (See Exodus 9: 18; Joshua 10: 11; Revelation 16: 21; Isaiah 28: 17; Psalm 18: 12-13; Haggai 2: 17). Pope Gregory the Great believes that the snow and hail refer to the cold hearts as far as God’s love is concerned; as it is said: “the love of many will grow cold” (Matthew 24: 12). Yet God does not even despise those hearts, but looks at them as treasure that need to be moved; as He did to the heart of Saul of tarsus, who confessed that he was a blasphemer against God, and a persecutor of His believers; and made out of Him an apostle flared with the fire of holy zeal. “By what way is light diffused, or the east wind scattered over the earth?” (Job 38: 24). In the phenomenon of the thundering clouds, flashes of lightning momentarily appear; Yet who can explain exactly how it is produced, its speed, its essence, and how it is scattered. Some believe that he is talking here about the light that appears with dawn and diffuses on the earth, a simple phenomenon, although noticed daily by men, yet they do not realize its secrets. “Which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war” (Job 38: 23). The Lord has used those storehouses to chasten the wicked (See Exodus 9: 18; Joshua 10: 11; Revelation 16: 21; Isaiah 28: 17; Psalm 18: 12-13; Haggai 2: 17). 193 He also asks ‘Job’ whether he knows how the east wind is distributed over the regions; probably binding the light with the east wind, both originating from the east, before spreading over all the land. “Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, or a path for the thunderbolt?” (Job 38: 25). It may seem to the watcher, on certain occasions, that there is no control over the rain water overflowing on vast stretches of land, as though they have gone out of obedience to the Lord, who meant for them to be orderly! But everything is actually going on according to His will; as is said: “The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, like the rivers of water; He turns it wherever He wishes” (Proverbs 21: 1). The way God directs the routes of the rivers of water; He has as well authority over that of the thunderbolts. “To cause it to rain on … a wilderness in which there is no man” (Job 38: 26). God with His care allows for rain to fall even on desolate land where is no man, in order to provide the beasts of the wilderness, or a traveler passing by to quench their thirst. “To satisfy the desolate waste, and cause to spring forth the growth of tender grass” (Job 38: 27). If God cares for man in particular, Yet He does not disregard even the irrational tiny creatures and the wild beasts in the wilderness; According to the words of the Psalmist: “He makes springs gush forth in the valleys; they flow between the hills, giving drink to every wild animal, the wild asses quench their thirst” (Psalm 104: 10-11). “Has the rain a father? Or who has begotten the drops of dew?” (Job 38: 28). As He spoke of the mighty sea as a newborn baby who got out of the womb by God’s command; clothed it with clouds, and swaddled it in mist; As though taking the role of a nurse even for the irrational sea; He is now portraying the innumerable drops of rain and dew in the same way. God works in the whole nature, with His own good and exalted care. 194 St. John Chrysostom believes that God often uses the expression of bringing forth newborns, even as far as the lifeless bodies are concerned; to confirm that no creation came haphazardly, but everything is in the loving and caring mind of God. “Who is the father of rain? And Who has begotten the drops of dew?” (28). Who has concentrated the moisture in the clouds, and got them bound to produce golden drops of rain?! “Who can number the clouds by wisdom?” (Job 38: 37). “Who brings the wind out of His treasuries?” (Psalm 135: 7); “Who has begotten the drops of dew? (28) And from whose womb comes the ice?” (29). Although its material is water, yet it is as hard as a rock! He sometimes turns water into snow like wool; scatters the frost like ashes; Or turn it into ice as hard as rock. Out of water as one nature, being in all fruits created by God, God produces things of assorted strength; In a vine, He produces wine that makes glad the heart of man; In an olive, oil that makes his face shine; and in bread, nutrition that strengthens man’s heart (Psalm 104: 15)1. St. Cyril of Jerusalem “From whose womb comes the ice? And the frost of heaven, who gives it birth?” (Job 38: 29). Water freezes into snow and ice for a very concise period of time, and in immeasurable quantities, that reveals man’s inability to comprehend natural phenomena that happen before his eyes, with an unpredictable speed, that no created power could imitate! “The water hardens like stone, and the surface of the deep is frozen” (Job 38: 30). Pope Gregory the great is grieved to see the Jews who were likened to rain that water the earth; have, because of their lack 1 Catechetical Lectures, 9:9. 195 of faith, lost every spiritual warmth, and turned into cold frozen stones! 7- JOB’S IGNORANCE OF THE STARS OF HEAVEN, AND HOW THEY INFLUENCE ON EARTH: “Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades, or loose the belt of Orion?” (Job 38: 31). As many philosophers connected the destinies of men to the movements of celestial bodies, He talked about the chains of stars that God created with wisdom. Even with man’s growing knowledge of the science of Astronomy, and of certain secrets of stars, Yet he has no authority on them; Nor the stars, have any authority on the destiny of men. Do you know who is the One who counts the number of stars, and calls them by names? Do you recognize the difference in glory between each of them (See 1 Corinthians 15: 41); Or the systems of their movements; As then, I probably may trust in your wisdom when you attempt weaving the affairs of men, or when you arm the creature against his Creator1! St. Gregory the Nezenzian “Can you bring out Mazzaroth in its season? Or can you guide the Great Bear with its cubs?” (Job 38: 32). By ‘Mazzaroth’ He means the stars of the south; And by the ‘Great Bear’ those of the north. No one among men can have authority to move stars? Yet, God, alone, can use them; according to what came in the Book of Judges: “They fought from the heavens, the stars from their courses fought against Sisera” (Judges 5: 20). The terms ‘Mazzaroth’ and the ‘Big Bear’, came in the Septuagint version as the Mazzaroth and the (evening stars). Pope Gregory the Great distinguished between the morning and the evening stars. He believes that the ‘Morning Star’ is the Lord Christ who proclaimed for us the eternal morning; Who, rising in the 1 Second Theological Oration, 30. 196 morning up from the dead, shining with the splendor of His light on us, and destroying the darkness of our corruption; He was called by John as “The Bright Morning Star” (Revelation 22: 16). The ‘evening star’, on the other hand, to come, is the anti-Christ, whom God allows to prevail upon the children of earth; on the unbelieving hearts that accept his authority on them. God the Father, brought up the ‘Morning Star’ in due time; being written: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law to redeem those who were under the law” (Galatians 4: 4-5); Having been born of a Virgin, He appeared as a ‘Morning Star’ amid the darkness of our night; And having scattered the darkness of sin, He proclaimed to us the eternal morning. He manifested Himself as a ‘Morning Star’, because in the morning. He rose up from the dead; And, because with the splendor of His light, He overcame the horror of the darkness of our death; And having appeared alive after death, He became to us, and was fittingly called by John the ‘Bright Morning Star’ (Revelation 22: 16); sometimes in his Person as an example of resurrection. He referred as well to the deceiving coming light; as he allows for the evening star to submit the children of the earth, allowing the anti-Christ to submit the non-believing hearts of the Jews … The Lord says in the gospel: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; If another comes in his own name, him you will receive” (John 5: 43); And Paul says: “Because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved; For this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie” (2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12). That is why the evening star will never submit those who intend to become the children of heaven. Pope Gregory the Great “Do you know the ordinances of the heavens? Can you set their dominion over the earth?” (Job 38: 33). While no one on earth knows the ordinances of the heavens, or realize their secrets; those in heaven realize and reveal the 197 secrets of God’s love, and His plans toward humanity. It is as though God says to ‘Job’: ‘While you do not know what goes on in heaven, those in heaven know why I allowed for afflictions to dwell upon you; know how much I love for you, and how far I defended you against Satan. 8- JOB CANNOT RECOGNIZE GOD’S MIGHT IN THE ATMOSPHERIC AND NATURAL PHENOMENA: “Can you lift up your voice to the clouds, so that a flood of waters may cover you?” (Job 38: 34). We already know that the clouds refer to the prophets of the Old Testament, and the apostles of the New Testament; God talks through His saintly men as though through the clouds; And He alone covers man with the water of His grace, and the gift of His Holy Spirit. The Lord came to talk through the clouds, when the prophets testified to Him, and the apostles preached Him; many people have been covered by an abundance of the water of faith. It was not possible for the blessed ‘Job’ or to men of the Old Testament to comprehend that secret clearly, as realized by the coming of the lord Christ. “Can you send out lightning that they may go, and say to you, ’here we are’” (Job 38: 35). As we said, the clouds refer to the apostles who set forth to preach the gospel; The lightning that come out of the clouds, on the other hand, refer to the signs and wonders granted by God to the apostles to testify to the divine truth; like when the apostle Peter said to the lame man: “Silver and gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you; In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk” (Acts 3: 6-7). And as the clouds submit to God; The lightning as well obediently testify to Him. “Who endowed the heart with wisdom, or gave understanding to the mind?” (Job 38: 36). 198 In the Septuagint version it came as: “Who gives women the art of weaving, and that of embroidering?”. Notice how He talks about the practical side, mixing the little things with the big things! St. John Chrysostom St. Ambrose sees in this phrase a reference to the weaving of the heavenly vest of the Lord Christ, in His capacity as the Greater High Priest; That is woven out of God’s power, wisdom, and righteousness, and adorned by precious stones. Or it is the robe of the heavenly wedding, adorned by an assortment of precious stones, woven of gold threads; which is the fabric of the working faith1. “Who can number the clouds by wisdom? Or who can tilt the waterskins of the heaven?” (Job 38: 37). The ‘waterskins’ were some kind of leather vessels. Can man, whatever his wisdom can reach, count the clouds in heaven, and estimate their size and weight? And can he measure the quantities of rain that pour from heaven as though from huge waterskins?! “When the dust hardens in clumps and the clods of earth cling together?” (Job 38: 38). “The ungodly are … like the chaff which the wind drives away” (Psalm 1: 4), or like the dust hanging in the air, because they are without the love that binds them together by the Spirit; God, on the other hand, in His love, grants His children the spirit of love, to make them cling together like useful clods of mud. 9- GOD’S CARE FOR THE IRRATIONAL ANIMALS: “Can you hunt the prey for the lioness? Or satisfy the appetite of the young lions?” (Job 38: 39). Choosing these animals (38: 39; 40: 30), is not without reason, as they represent the kinds of beasts and birds of prey, considered by man at that time as enemies of the human society; 1 cf. St Ambrose: Of the Christian Faith, Book 2: 10. 199 that the demons were often portrayed in their forms. Yet God’s care is exalted even for such wild and fierce creatures; Their ways are known to Him, submit to Him, and are even subsisted by Him. If God cares for the irrational animals, from the land beasts to the birds of prey, which He created from naught; and cares for the laws of nature, from the wind to the rain and snow; How could He not care for man for whom He created them all?! Pope Gregory the Great believes that the lioness here refers to the haughty Jewish nation, receiving faith in Christ through the preaching of the church. The Lord Christ Himself would satisfy the souls of its children. “When they crouch in their dens, or lurk in their lairs to lie in wait” (Job 38: 40). Pope Gregory the Great believes that He refers here to the period between the passion of Christ and the coming of the Holy Spirit, on the day of the Pentecost; As the disciples and the apostles stopped their ministry, like a lioness which crouches in its den, or lurks in its lair; Anticipating, for fear of their opponents, the time when they would be clothed with a power from high above to start preaching. They are like a lioness, waiting together with its cub in their lair, for the lion to come to them with a prey. “Who provides food for the raven, when its young ones cry to God, and wander about for lack of food?” (Job 38: 41). How amazing is God’s care, even providing the young ravens with their food! (Psalm 147: 9). Man may only care for the creatures of benefit to him; But God cares for all His creation. It is said that the ravens do not care for their young ones that cry to God to feed them. This teaches us to cry to God, saying: “Abba Father!” He will listen to us, when our own parents do not; as said by the Psalmist: “When my father and my mother forsake me, then the lord will take care of me” (Psalm 27: 10). If He likened the Jews receiving faith in Christ to the lioness; He likens the Gentiles to the ravens; And God would satisfy the needs of these and those: “He gives to the beast its food, and to the young ravens that cry” (Psalm 147: 9). 200 AN INSPIRATION FROM THE BOOK OF JOB 38 GRANT ME TO REALIZE THE GREATNESS OF YOUR CARE For my sake You laid the foundation of the earth, and set it as though on pillars. No one can know their hidden secrets but You! When the heavenly hosts saw Your works for my sake, they praised you in harmony like a choir; They sang and praised in a spirit of joy; everyone shouted rejoicing for Your love and care. You set limits for the sea! You shut it in as though with bars and doors You broke its haughtiness, and the pride of its waves. Let me go down to the depths of the sea; Let me walk there, to marvel at its hidden treasures. At every dawn, I stand in awe, as I watch glimpses of light start shining. Who can fix where they start, or measure their dimensions? How an amazing and mighty Creator You are! With every morning, the sun rises anew, to give joy to the earth. In its rays, I feel the splendor of Your grace. My soul rejoices in your daily works. When I watch the clouds, I cannot realize their size; Or accurately estimate their weight. Even the storms, the snow, and the ice, All of them are in Your hands. They all work with Your permission. You submit all nature for my sake. You give me rain to water the land. Amazingly, Your care covers even the wild beasts of the wilderness. You care for me as a king You set to rein over the earth. 201 And also cares for the animals of the land, and the birds of the air. You care even for the solid nature. You provide the wild animals in the wilderness or in the forest with their food. You even listen to the cries of the young ravens, and feed them. Glory is to You, who cares for every creature.
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