Now I See You.

When Job couldn't understand
why God allowed him to lose everything,
he contended with Him,

'Does it please you to oppress me,
to spurn the work of your hands,
while you smile on the schemes of the wicked?

Do you have eyes of flesh?
Do you see as a mortal sees?

Your hands shaped me
and made me.
Will you now turn
and destroy me?

Why then did you bring me out of the womb?'

Job's friends challenged him,
and spoke to him what they knew -
but they only left him more distressed
he said to them,

'What you know,
I also know.

I also could speak like you,
if you were in my place;
I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you.'

He continued in his discourse
and no answer could satisfy
his questions -

until
Job had an encounter
with God
whom answered to all his questions,
and left Job dumbfounded.

*

Then Job replied to Him,

'I know that you can do all things;

no plan of yours can be thwarted.

You asked,
'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?

Surely I spoke of things
I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

You said,
'Listen now,
and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'

My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you.

Therefore I despise myself
and repent in dust and ashes.'

I have heard,
but now
let me see.

*