Мысли при чтении Книги Иова

Chapter 1. If you do not love God with the blessings that He has given and will give to you, then you will be in trouble: God’s gifts will increase your condemnation. If you love, but only because He first loved you and, out of His love, showered you with His benefits, then this will not bring you much benefit: if you love those who love you... [Lk. 6:32]. In misfortune you will forget your Benefactor, or at least you may be in danger of this. Love God selflessly, because He is your God, your Creator, on Whom you are completely dependent, like an earthen vessel in a potter’s house; for the fact that He is infinite Perfection, which one cannot help but love: is it possible not to love the highest Truth, the highest Good and the highest Beauty, which we so diligently seek and to which we strive all our lives? This is our Prototype: is it possible for an image not to have a natural attraction to its prototype? Chapter 2, Article 2. How fast the devil is, given his spiritual nature: to go around the whole earth for him means the same as for us some small whole 5. See how his very words to the Lord signify the amazing speed of his adventures. The Lord said to Satan: Where did you come from? And Satan answered the Lord and said: I walked on the earth and walked around it. So flexible and light is the nature of the spirit - even the evil one. How fast must be the soaring of the Angels of Light! Here Gabriel flies from the heavenly circles to Nazareth to the Virgin Mary. In what a short moment of time this flight took place! One foot, as they say, is in heaven, the other is on earth. Here Daniel the prophet prays in his solitary room, and while he was still continuing his prayer, the husband Gabriel, whom he had seen before in a vision, quickly flew in and touched him about the time of the evening sacrifice (Dan. 9:21). So fast are created spirits and so little does material space mean to them. What is the Creator of spirits like? If the spirits He created are so little limited by space, then He Himself must be, as indeed is, not limited by any space or, better yet, for Him there is no space, He is above all space; For Him, all the spaces of the material worlds and the thought-enormous voids between them are one point. All worlds move at one word from Him. What are you, man, before your God? - Nothing. I am nothing before You, nothing. By the Majesty of Your bounties, Like the sun in a small drop of water. However, the human soul, or human thought, can fly in an instant the vast distances of the world - this is because in it there is a likeness of the Omnipresent Divinity. Art.6–7. And the Lord said to Satan: Behold, he is in your hand, just save his soul. And Satan went away from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with fierce leprosy from the sole of his foot to the very top of his head. The illness with which the devil struck Job was so great that his wife wandered and served him, [moving] from place to place, from house to house, waiting for the sun to set in order to calm down from her labors and from the illnesses that she herself was tormented by the very sight of her husband’s illnesses. The illness so surpassed all description and compassion that Job's friends sat with him for seven days and seven nights, and no one said a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great [v. 13]. Our misfortune is if the Lord betrays us to the devil for our sins. The Apostle Paul handed over the Corinthian incestuous man to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit might be saved on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. One must think that Satan skillfully mutilated the flesh of this unfortunate man, if we take into account how great his sin was, which required punishment commensurate with itself, and how excessively angry and cruel the devil to whom he was betrayed was. Job. Chapter 3. Listen to what the long-suffering Job, sitting on the dung, says, how terrible his words are, how cruel the disease with which he is struck: perish, he says, the day on which I was born, and the night on which it is said: “man was conceived”!.. may it not be counted in the days of the year, may it not be included in the number of months! ABOUT! that night - let it be deserted; let no joy enter into her!.. Let the stars of her dawn darken: let her wait for the light, and it does not come, and let her not see the eyelashes of the morning star because she did not close the doors of my mother’s womb and did not hide sorrow from my eyes! And here is his complaint: Why didn’t I die when I came out of the womb, and why didn’t I die when I came out of the womb? Why did my knees accept me? Why did I have to suck the nipples?.. Why was light given to the sufferer, and life to the saddened souls, who are waiting for death, and it is not there, who would dig it up more willingly than treasure, would rejoice to the point of delight, would be delighted that they found a coffin? Why is light given to a person whose path is closed, and whom God has surrounded with darkness? Do you see how bad it is to be sick; thank God that you are healthy. Chapter 5, v. 19 and 20, 21. In six troubles he will save you, and in the seventh evil will not touch you. In time of famine he will deliver you from death, and in war from the hand of the sword. You will protect yourself from the scourge of the tongue and will not be afraid of devastation when it comes. 26 Art. You will enter the tomb at maturity, just as sheaves of wheat are laid down in due time. Chapters 6 and 7, in which Job talks about the severity of his illness, are incredibly powerful and moving. [Ch.] 8, [v.] 9. But we are yesterday’s people and know nothing, because our days are a shadow on earth. 20. You see, God does not reject the blameless and does not support the hands of evildoers. Ch.9, [v.2–4]. How can a person be justified before God? If he wants to enter into a debate with Him, he will not answer Him one out of a thousand. Wise in heart and mighty in strength - and so on. 25, (26). My days are faster than a messenger - they run, they see no good, they rush like light boats, like an eagle strives for prey. 30, 31. Even if I washed myself in snowy water and completely cleansed my hands, even then You will plunge me into the mud, and my clothes will abhor me. Chapter 10, 8 [-14] art. Your hands worked on me and formed me all around - and You destroy me? Remember that You molded me like clay, and turn me to dust?.. You clothed me with skin and flesh, You fastened me with bones and sinews, You gave me life and mercy, and Your care guarded my spirit?.. If I sin, You will notice and will not leave my sin unpunished. Ch.11, [v.10]. If He goes by and puts someone in chains and brings them to trial, who can turn Him away? Chapter 12. Job speaks in it. His words are powerful and instructive. Art.13–19. With Him is wisdom and power; His advice and wisdom. What He destroys will not be built; whomever He imprisons will not be released. The water will stop and everything will dry up; He will let them in, and they will transform the earth. He has power and wisdom... He strips the belts of kings and binds a belt around their loins. One God is omnipotent and wise, and kings are wise and strong through Him. Chapter 13, Article 12. Your reminders are like ashes; your strongholds are strongholds of clay. 23 art. How many vices and sins do I have? show me my iniquity and my sin. 24. Why do you hide Your face and consider me Your enemy? Is it not the plucked leaf that You crush and the dry straw that You pursue? For You write bitter things against me and impute to me the sins of my youth. Ch.14, art.4 [-5, 7–10]. Who will be born clean from an unclean? None. If the days are determined for him, and the number of his months is with You, if You have set a limit for him, which he will not cross... For a tree there is hope that, even if it is cut down, it will come to life again, and branches will not cease to come out from it: even if its root has grown old in the ground, and its stump has frozen in the dust, but as soon as it senses water, it gives off shoots and puts out branches, as if newly planted. And man dies and disintegrates; left, and where is he? Piety alone perpetuates. Job, chapter 15. Eliphaz the Temanite speaks strongly and boldly to Job. In chapter 16 Job speaks again, also with power. 19th century And now here is my Witness in heaven, and my Protector in the highest! 20 tbsp. My long-winded friends! My eye goes to God. 22. For my years are coming to an end, and I am setting off on a path of no return. Chapter 17, 1. My breathing weakened; my days are fading; the coffins are before me. Art.14. I will say to the coffin: you are my father, to the worm: you are my mother and my sister. Art.15. Where is my hope after this? and who will see what I expect? Art.16. She will descend to the underworld and will rest with me in the dust. In the 18th chapter Baldad of Sabhea speaks, also boldly. Why don't you stop talking! Wait, let us talk. Why are we, like four-legged animals, silent before you? You've been angry for a long time. But what? If you die, will not the under heaven be inhabited, or will the mountains be removed from their foundations, etc. In the 19th chapter - Job again. How long will you trouble me and bring me down with words? Find out at least that the Lord made me this way. You slander me without shame, you attack me. Even if I really am a sinner, even if I said what I shouldn’t have done, even when it wasn’t necessary... He complains about his friends, about his brothers, about his acquaintances, about his neighbors, about his slaves, about his wife, about his loved ones, because they have left everything and despise him. 21 [-22] art. Have mercy on me, have mercy on me, my friends, for the hand of God has touched me. Why do you persecute me like God... 25 Art. But I know that my Redeemer lives, and on the last day He will raise this decaying skin of mine from the dust. Chapter 20. Zophar of Minaia speaks. Art.5. The joy of the wicked is short-lived, and the joy of the hypocrite is momentary. Only evil and wicked people can rejoice at the terrible fall of others. 6 tbsp. At least his greatness increased to heaven, and his head touched the clouds [church glory: Even if his gifts ascend to heaven, his sacrifice touches the clouds]. God does not accept sacrifices from the wicked. 8 tbsp. He will fly away like a dream, and they will not find him; and, like a night vision, will disappear. 9 tbsp. The eye that saw him will see him no more, and will no longer consider his place. 11th century His bones are filled with the sins of his youth, and with him they will lie in the dust (sins). 15th century The substance which he swallowed shall vomit: God shall pluck it out of his womb. 19. For he oppressed, he sent away the poor; seized houses that he did not build. 27 art. Heaven will reveal his (the wicked) iniquity, and the earth will rise up against him. 28 Art. The wealth of his house will disappear; everything will be dissolved in the day of His wrath. 29 Art. This is the destiny of the wicked man from God and the inheritance assigned to him by the Almighty! Ch.21, art.7 [-9]. Why do the lawless live, reach old age, and are strong in strength? Their children are with them before their faces, and their grandchildren are before their eyes. Their houses are safe from fear, and there is no rod of God upon them. (And Zophar argued the opposite; Job is against him.) 11 [-12] v. Like a herd, they release their little ones, and their children jump. They exclaim to the voice of the tympanum and zither and rejoice at the sounds of the pipe [Church Slavic: But they abide like eternal sheep, and the children precede them, holding the psalter and harp (the psalter is an instrument), and rejoice in the voice of song]. 13. They spend their days in happiness and instantly descend into the underworld. 14. Meanwhile they say to God: get away from us, we do not want to know Your ways! 15. What is the Almighty, that we should serve Him? and what is the use of resorting to Him? 17. How often does the lamp of the wicked go out, and trouble comes upon them, and He gives them the inheritance of suffering in His anger? 18. They should be like straw before the wind and like chaff carried away by a whirlwind. 22 art. But can God be taught wisdom when He judges those above? 23 [-26] art. One dies in the fullness of his strength, completely calm and peaceful; its entrails are full of fat, and its bones are filled with marrow. And the other dies with a sad soul, having not tasted good. And they will lie together in the dust, and the worm will cover them. True, sometimes the wicked prosper, but by God’s permission and mercy: He has mercy on sinners. However, this does not happen for long. Soon they will be punished. Chapter 22. Eliphaz Femanitin says: 23 Art. and further. If you turn to the Almighty, you will be built again, you will remove iniquity from your tent and you will change the shining metal into dust, and the gold of Ophir into the stones of streams. And the Almighty will be your gold and shining silver, for then you will rejoice in the Almighty and you will lift up your face to God [church glory: The Almighty will be your helper from the enemy, and he will make you pure, like silver that has been kindled, then you will have boldness before God, looking up joyfully to heaven]. You will pray to Him, and He will hear you, and you will fulfill your vows. Set an intention, and it will come true for you, and light will shine over your paths. When someone is humiliated, you will say: exaltation! and He will save the one who has a downcast face. Turn to God, humble yourself before Him and try to please Him: the Lord will certainly be your Helper, since He is only waiting for a reason on your part to help Him, your humility or humble consciousness that you yourself are powerless for the slightest good, and your conversion to the path of righteousness. How will He help you when you do not consider His help necessary for yourself in your proud and blind self-love, when you are far from Him in your unrighteous deeds and are not worth His help? God's help is higher and more precious than any human help. God helps not the body and not bodily needs, which are insignificant in comparison with the needs of another, noblest part of our being, but the soul - in its spiritual needs. Sins make the soul filthy and unclean in the eyes of God; God cleanses her from this sinful filth: he will make you pure, like silver that has been kindled. A person living in sinful impurities carries within himself a cruel judge - conscience, an accuser of his impurities, and when no one else condemns him, he condemns himself, has no peace and joy in his soul; everything around him is sad and gloomy, everything seems to be sad with him; he does not have filial boldness before God: like a slave who has sinned before his master, he fears Him. But when the Lord makes man pure by His grace, like silver that has been kindled, then he will have boldness before God, looking up cheerfully to heaven. Chapter 25. Valdad of Savhei speaks. Art.4 [-6]. And how can a person be right before God, and how can one born of a woman be pure? Even the moon is not bright, and the stars are unclean in His sight. Much less is man, who is a worm, and the son of man, who is a moth. God is the highest and purest Light; all created lights before Him are the same as the winter flickering of dawn or the reflection from the sun hidden far behind the earth. But these are spiritual lights. The material light before Him is darkness; as material, it is rough and unclean in comparison with His uncreated, all-enlightening light. Ch.26, [v.4]. To whom did you speak these words, and whose spirit came from you? How dare you utter impudent words against the all-governing Providence? Remember, Whose breath is yours, without which we cannot utter a single word? How can you not humble yourself and see that you are completely dependent on God, your Creator? Job. Ch.27, [vv.8–10]. For what hope does a hypocrite have when he takes, when God plucks out his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble comes to him? Will he be comforted by the Almighty and call on God at all times? Woe to the wicked, who has angered God with his iniquities: he, as having emerged from the rank of God’s creatures, from under the laws of the Creator, rushes about in the world of God, like a fallen and withered leaf; the winds control its flight. He cannot do anything useful because he does not abide in God. Abide in Me... without Me you can do nothing, says the Savior [John. 15:4–5]. Since he has fallen away from God, God will not hear his prayer until he sincerely turns to Him and repents. As a disobedient slave, he cannot hope for mercy from Him. Chapter 28, 12 and following verses. But where is wisdom found? and where is the place of reason? Man does not know its value, and it is not found in the land of the living. The Abyss says: it is not in me; and the sea says: not with me. It is not given for gold and it is not purchased for the weight of silver; it is not valued in gold... nor in precious onyx, nor in sapphire. 20 tbsp. and further. Where does wisdom come from? and where is the place of reason? It is hidden from the eyes of all living things and hidden from the birds of the air. (How joyfully and with what surprise the patriarchal people looked at the birds soaring in the heights of the air! No wonder they called them heavenly: their lofty, heavenly flight delighted them.) Abaddon 6 and death say: with our ears we heard the rumor about her. God knows her way, and He knows her place. For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole heaven. When He assigned weight to the wind and arranged the water according to the measure, when He appointed a rule for the rain and a path for thunderous lightning, then He saw it and revealed it, prepared it and tested it further and said to man: behold, the fear of the Lord is true wisdom, and avoidance of evil is understanding. The spider does not know where he got such wisdom from - to weave regular, geometrically accurate meshes; bees do not know where they have the ability to make honeycombs; trees and herbs do not understand where they get the skill to form amazing fabric in their wood, roots, leaves and flowers; man himself often produces the most amazing things, but very often he does not understand how he did them, where such wisdom came from. Where did this manifold wisdom come from, and where is knowledge? Man does not know, truly does not know, her way. Where is she? The Abyss says that it is not in it; the sea too. You cannot buy it with treasures of light. Where does wisdom come from? Destruction and death say only that they have heard its glory, but do not say where it comes from. God alone knows her place well. For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole heaven. When He assigned weight to the wind and arranged the water according to measure... It was He, the Omniscient, who calculated and weighed everything, even the very paths of the thunderclaps. It was He who gave wisdom to every creature (he saw it and revealed it). He told the man: to be pious means to be wise, and to shun evil means to know. Chapter 29, 15th Art. I was the eyes of the blind and the feet of the lame, says Job. 30 chapters, 15 tbsp. My greatness dissipated like the wind, and my happiness flew away like a cloud. 19th century He threw me into the mud, and I became like dust and ashes. I cry to You, and You do not listen to me. Every person is earth. 23 art. Thus, I know that You will lead me to death and to the house of meeting of all living [church-glory: for the house of every mortal is earth]. No one will go anywhere further than the earth: we live on the earth, and we will be buried in the earth. And how much space does the Lord have, besides the earth, how many other worlds? Could any mortal ever penetrate much further than the earth? Nobody: only recently in balloons they could rise from the ground eight miles upward, no more. How limited you are, man! Reverence the Infinite! Chapter 31 Confession of Job. He talks especially about his good deeds. Chapter 32, [v.21–22]. I will not look at a person’s face and I will not flatter any person, because I do not know how to flatter: kill me now, my Creator. Chapter 34, art. 12–15. Verily, God does not commit unrighteousness, and the Almighty does not pervert judgment. Who besides Him provides for the earth? And who rules the whole universe? If He turned His heart to Himself and took her spirit and her breath to Himself, all flesh would suddenly perish, and man would return to dust. What a concept worthy of God the people of the patriarchal world had about Him! How pious was patriarchal antiquity! Strong and noble people considered it an honor to speak about God as their omnipotent, wise and righteous King in home or friendly conversations. How often do noble people now start talking about God in their friendly circles?!! 17th century Can he who hates the truth rule? And can you blame the All-Righteous? [church glory: You see the hating lawless and destroying evil one, existing, eternal, righteous]. 21 [-22] art. For His eyes are above the ways of man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness, nor shadow of death, where the workers of iniquity can hide. Everywhere in the ancient world (in a certain place) I find a very good concept of God, which the best ancient philosophers did not have later. Why is this? Because such a pure concept of God is a remnant of a primitive, not yet eclipsed revelation. [Art.] 30. He appoints a hypocrite as king because of the obstinacy of the people. Yes, kings are appointed by God Himself: this we firmly confess. Chapter 35, v. 5–8. Look up to the sky and see; look at the clouds, they are higher than you. If you sin, what do you do to Him?.. If you are righteous, what do you give to Him? or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness is against man like you, and your righteousness is against the son of man. If we are wicked, it is evil to us and to our neighbors; just as if we are kind, it is good for us and for our neighbors. God does not suffer anything from our iniquities and does not gain anything from our virtue: He is great and high above everyone, the whole universe belongs to Him, the almighty Creator. Look up to the sky and see; look at the clouds, they are higher than you. If you sin... If you are righteous... Chapter 36, [v.] 12. If they do not listen, they will perish from an arrow and die in foolishness [church glory: he will not save the wicked, because you do not want to know the Lord and do not obey those who teach you]. 26–28. Behold, God is great, and we cannot know Him; the number of His years is unsearchable. He collects drops of water; they rain in abundance: they drop from the clouds and pour out abundantly on people... Chapter 37, [v.3, 6–7]. It rolls under the whole sky, and its shine reaches to the ends of the earth... For He says to the snow: Be on the earth; equally small rain and great rain are in His power. He sets a seal on every man's hand, so that all people may know His work. 10–14. From the breath of God ice occurs, and the surface of the water shrinks... Hear this, Job; stand and understand the wonderful works of God. Art.22–24. Bright weather comes from the north, and around God there is terrible splendor. Almighty! we do not comprehend Him. He is great in power, judgment and fullness of justice. He doesn't oppress anyone. Therefore let men revere Him, and let all who are wise in heart tremble before Him! Chapter 38, 4. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? 7. When the stars were (created)... 11–18. And he said (to the sea): Hitherto you will come and not pass over, and here is the limit of your arrogant waves. Have you ever given orders to the morning in your life and shown the dawn its place so that it would embrace the ends of the earth... so that the earth would change like clay under a seal and become like a multi-colored garment... Have you surveyed the breadth of the earth? Explain if you know all this. 25–27. Who makes channels for the outpouring of water and a path for thunderous lightning, so that it rains on a deserted land, on a desert where there is no man, to saturate the desert and steppe and stimulate the grass germs to grow? 31–32. Can you tie the knot of Him and loose the ties of Kesil? Can you deduce the constellations in your time and lead As with her children? 34–36. Can you raise your voice to the clouds [Church Glav.: Call the cloud with your voice], (the cloud from which a storm is born at sea), so that water will cover you in abundance? Can you send lightning, and will they go?.. Who put wisdom in the heart, or who gave meaning to the mind? Chapter 39, [v.9–11]. Will the unicorn want to serve you and spend the night at your manger? Can you tie a unicorn to a furrow with a rope, and will he harrow the field after you? Will you rely on him, because his strength is great, and will you give him your work?.. 19 [-25]. Did you give the horse strength and clothe his neck with mane? Can you frighten him?.. digs the ground with his foot and admires the strength; goes towards the weapon; he laughs at danger and is not timid and does not turn away from the sword; the quiver sounds above him, the spear and javelin sparkle; in impetus and rage he swallows the earth and cannot stand at the sound of the trumpet; at the sound of a trumpet he makes a voice: hoo! hoo! and from afar he senses the battle, the loud voices of the leaders and the cry. 26 [-27] art. Does the hawk fly with your wisdom and guide its wings to the noonday? Does the eagle ascend at your word?.. So, Lord, all creatures are Yours; You are the Sly One of everything. And I am the work of Your hands, like a potter’s poor vessel. I must only contemplate Your works and rightly marvel at them, revere You and love You most of all. I am nothingness, and You are an infinite Being, possessing infinite wisdom and power. I pray to You, Almighty Creator: look mercifully on Your insignificant creation and do not let it perish from its iniquities. Chapters 40 and 41. The properties and actions of the whale are described, which is considered as a special, visual proof of the omnipotence of God. Ch.41, [v.2–3]. Who can stand before My face? Who went before Me that I should repay him? under all heaven everything is mine. Humble yourself, son of man, and do not dare to resist the Lord even in your thoughts. Remember how close you are to insignificance! Count the years of your life: how long have you been in the world and how long have you not been here at all, when the Lord created and moved for several thousand years the sky with the luminaries and the earth with everything that is on it. You are still very new in this beautiful house that you call the world; God is the Lord of this house, which belongs to Him both by origin from His creative word of all its materials, and its very structure and plan. You were not allowed into this house for nothing, but so that you would work in it to increase the talents given to you and through this acquire the right to settle in the heavenly mansions, to which you will move from here upon the death of your body. It is natural for a house to remain and exist longer than its occupant, as indeed happens: one house often survives several generations. That is why the land, which serves as a temporary hotel for people, has existed for more than seven thousand years, and many residents have survived on it. But the time will come when this magnificent, luminous hotel of the world will collapse. The Lord will resurrect all the dead and give people a new, eternal home. We look forward to new heavens and a new earth, in which righteousness dwells [2 Pet. 3, 13]. Humble yourself, man, before God, reverence and obey Him in everything. And don’t you dare resist even in your thoughts. 42 ch., 6 tbsp. I renounce and repent in dust and ashes [Church glory: I think of earth and ashes]. Shouldn’t I, along with Job, recognize myself as earth and ashes and more often bring to mind my earthly origin, my death, when I will again be the same earth. All (Church Slavic) - village, hamlet. Abaddon (Hebrew), Apollyon (Greek) – destroyer, angel of the abyss. You might be interested in: