Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Job II


You might notice in Plate 2 here a sort of tri-level arrangement.  Above is the Father with the Heavenly Host around him. The book in his hand represents the Book of Life (referred to six times in Revelation).
Chapter 3 of Revelations
[5] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angel.
Rev.5
[1] And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
[2] And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
[3] And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
[4] And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
[5] And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
[6] And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
[7] And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
[8] And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.
[9] And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation;
[10] And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.

You could say that in this picture Blake reminds us of the biblical book

Moving on to the middle level of the picture we find angels of various sorts, and prominent in the center it appears that Satan is engaged in that fatal conversation with God found in the first chapter of Job:

[8] And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
[9] Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought?
[10] Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land.
[11] But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face.

Here's the biblical text associated with Job II
I beheld... the Ancient of Days (Daniel vii: 9)
Hast thou considered my servant Job (Job i: 8)
The Angel of the Divine Presence (not in the Bible; it signifies Satan, but Hebrew letters beneath his name identify him as "King Jehovah", Job's false God - from S. Foster Damon, Blake's Job E.P.Dutton, 1966)
...shall I see God (Job xix: 26)
...thou art our father (Isaiah lxiv: 8)
...when I awake, with thy likeness (Psalm xvii: 15)
When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were about me (Job xxix: 5)
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them (Job i: 6)

Reading Daniel 7:
[9] I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.
[10] A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
[11] I beheld then because of the voice of the great words which the horn spake: I beheld even till the beast was slain, and his body destroyed, and given to the burning flame.
[12] As concerning the rest of the beasts, they had their dominion taken away: yet their lives were prolonged for a season and time.
[13] I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days
wiki common
At the lower level we see the same cast of characters as the first plate, namely Job and his family.

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