JEHOVAH QUESTIONS JOB by Julius Chapelle Clarke

Publishing Committee · Battle Creek, Mich. · May 28, 1857

JEHOVAH QUESTIONS JOB

By Julius Chapelle Clarke

From "The Star in the West"

JEHOVAH QUESTIONS JOB.

PARAPHRASED BY REV. JULIUS CHAPELLE CLARKE.

Then to Job replied Jehovah— Answered him out of the whirlwind: Gird thy loins, Job! Answer promptly To the things that I now ask thee. Where wert thou—what wert thou doing, When I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me if thou understandest Who hath laid the measure of it? Who hath stretched the line upon it? On what rests its strong foundations? Who the corner stone hath placed there, When the stars of the first morning Twanged their harps and sang together— When God's sons for joy were shouting, Praising God with hearts o'erflowing? Tell me, Job—tell, if thou knowest— Who hath made the world a mantle, Of the clouds hath cut and made it— Made it flowing loose and graceful, So the wild winds swing it, sway it, Make it flap like window curtains? Tell me, Job—tell, if thou knowest— Who hath swaddled with thick darkness The young earth when in its cradle? Tell me, Job—tell, if thou knowest— Who hath fettered the big Ocean, Strongly fettered all the waters, That they leap not from their places— That they come not on the dry land, To devour those living on it? Since thy birth hast thou commanded That the red eye of the morning, O'er the eastern hills come peering, Not delaying, neither hastening, But his wonted time e'er keeping? Hast thou walked upon the sea-floor, Marked the depths of the big Ocean, Counted all the springs that feed it, Counted all the fish that swim it? Hast thou entered Death's dark door-way? Answer, Job, to these things promptly. Hast thou found the habitations Where light dwelleth, where dwells darkness? Hast thou entered both their dwellings, Traveled all the road between them? Hast thou lived so long and wisely, As to know these things I ask thee? Hast thou entered in my store-house, Where the storm supplies are hoarded, Where the rain, the snow and vapor Are reserved for times of trouble— Times made scarce by war and famine? Hast thou pointed with thy finger, Pointed out a way for lightning? Hast thou given a tongue to thunder, Thunder that doth madly mutter, Hoarse in throat and dark with anger? Canst thou turn the key that opens To the treasures of my storm-barn— Treasures which, poured out in Winter, Robe the earth in bridal garments— Treasures which, poured out in Summer, Make the earth smile with new beauty, Make her green robes greener, brighter, Places flowers in her bosom, Fills her lap with gracious plenty? Answer me, Job—answer promptly To the things that I now ask thee. In my hand the earth is mellow, Mellow as a full ripe apple; With my thumb I made the sea-bed, Poured the briny waters in it— From my hand I poured its waters, Set the islands in their places, Told the water to play round them; I can hold the earth in one hand, Poise it on my little finger, Make it spin and whirl upon it; I can take the wicked out it, Shake them out as dust is shaken From an old and dusty garment. Therefore let the nations fear me— Let them know that I, JEHOVAH, Will bring down the proud and haughty, Will lift up the humble, contrite, Will chastise the sinful, wayward, Will bind up the broken-hearted, Will break every arm uplifted In oppression of my children; Will adjust between my children, All disputes that now divide them; Righteously will judge the nations.