The Makers and Teachers of Judaism Part 13

Although the thought of the book of Job is profound, and it deals in a masterly manner with a fundamental human problem, it is more than a mere philosophical discussion. Its primary aim is to set forth the vital truth that G.o.d is not to be found through current theological dogmas or intellectual discussions, but through personal experience. This is the dominant note throughout the book. The greatest calamity that overtakes Job in his hour of deepest distress is the sense of being shut away from G.o.d's presence.

Oh! that I knew where I might find him, That I might come even to his throne!

As he looks back fondly to the happy days of old the fact that stands forth above all others is that

The Almighty was yet with me.

Looking forward to a possible vindication after death his hope centres in the belief that

Thou wouldst call and I myself would answer thee; Thou wouldst long for the work of thy hands.

When at last Jehovah answered Job out of the storm, it was not so much the thought expressed as the fact that G.o.d had spoken directly to him that brought penitence and peace:

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, But now mine eye seeth thee.

Therefore I loath my words, And repent in dust and ashes.

Section XCIX. THE TRAINING AND MISSION OF THE TRUE SERVANT OF JEHOVAH

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:1-3]

Hearken to me, ye coastlands, And listen, ye distant peoples: He hath called me from the womb, From my mother's lap made mention of my name.

He hath made my mouth like a sharp sword, In the shadow of his hand he hid me, He made me a polished arrow, In his quiver he concealed me, And he said to me, Thou art my servant, Israel, in whom I will glorify myself.

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:4]

But I said, I have labored in vain, I spent my strength for nothing and vanity, Nevertheless my right is with Jehovah, And my recompense with my G.o.d.

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:5, 6]

And now, thus saith Jehovah, (He who formed from birth to be his servant, To bring Jacob back to him, And that Israel might be gathered to him; For I was honored in the sight of Jehovah, And my G.o.d became my strength): It is too little a thing to be my servant, To raise up the tribes of Jacob, And to restore the survivors of Israel; Therefore I will make thee the light of the nations, That thy salvation may reach to the ends of the earth.

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:7]

Thus saith Jehovah, The Redeemer of Israel, his Holy One, To him who is heartily despised, To the one abhorred of the people, a servant of rulers: Kings shall see and arise, Princes and they shall do homage, Because of Jehovah who is faithful, The Holy One of Israel who hath chosen thee.

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:3-9b]

Thus saith Jehovah, In a time of favor I answer thee, And in a day of deliverance I help thee, And I make thee a pledge to the people, To raise up the [ruined] land, To reapportion the desolate heritages, Saying to those who are bound, 'Go forth,'

To those in darkness, 'Show yourselves!'

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:9c-11]

They shall pasture along all ways, Even oh all the bare hills shall they graze.

They shall not be hungry nor thirsty, Neither shall the glowing heat nor the sun smite them, For he who hath pity on them shall lead them, And to gus.h.i.+ng fountains will he guide them.

And I will make all mountains a road, And highways shall be built up.

[Sidenote: Isa. 49:12,18]

Behold, these come from afar, And these from the north and west, And these from the land of the Syenites!

Shout with joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth!

Let the mountains break forth into shouts of joy!

For Jehovah hath had pity on his people, And will show mercy to his afflicted ones.

[Sidenote: Isa. 50:4-6]

The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of a trained disciple?

To give to the fainting a word of help, he waketh me early, Early he waketh me, that I may listen as a disciple.

The Lord Jehovah hath opened mine ear, And I have not been wilful nor turned back rebelliously.

[Sidenote: Isa. 50:6, 7]

My back I gave to smiters and my cheek to those who plucked the beard, My face I hid not from insult and spitting, For my Lord Jehovah is my helper; so that I am not confounded.

Therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame.

[Sidenote: Isa. 50:5, 9]

He is near who justifieth me, who will contend with me? let us stand up together!

Who is the adversary to oppose my cause? let him draw near to me!

Behold the Lord Jehovah is my helper; who is he that can harm me?

Lo, they shall all fall to pieces like a garment, the moth shall consume them.

[Sidenote: Isa. 50:10]

Who among you feareth Jehovah, let him hearken to the voice of his servant?

Who walked in darkness, having no light, Let him trust in the name of Jehovah and rely on his G.o.d?

[Sidenote: Isa. 52:13-18]

Behold, my servant shall prosper, He shall be raised up and highly exalted.

Even as many were appalled at him, So shall many nations tremble, Kings will close their mouths before him, When what has not been told them they see, And what they have not heard they perceive.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:1-2b]

Who believed what has been reported to us, And to whom was Jehovah's might revealed?

For he grew up before us as a young shoot, And as a root out of dry ground.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:2c-f]

He had no form that we should regard him, Nor appearance that we should delight in him.

His appearance was more disfigured than any man's And his form than any human being's.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:3]

He was despised and forsaken of men, A man of suffering and acquainted with sickness; Like one for whom men hide their face, He was despised so that we esteemed him not.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:4]

Surely our sickness he himself bore, And our sufferings--he carried them, Yet we ourselves esteemed him stricken, Smitten of G.o.d and afflicted.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:5]

But he was wounded for our transgressions, Crushed because of our iniquities; The chastis.e.m.e.nt for our well-being was upon him, And through his stripes healing came to us.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:6]

All of us, like sheep, had gone astray, We had turned each to his own way; While Jehovah made to light upon him The guilt of us all.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:7]

Yet when afflicted he opened not his mouth; Like a lamb led to the slaughter, And like a sheep dumb before her shearers, So he opened not his mouth.

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:8]

By an oppressive judgment was he taken away, Yet who of his generation considered That he had been cut off from the land of the living; For our transgressions had been stricken to death?

[Sidenote: Isa. 53:9]