Topical Bible: Vision of Job of a Spirit

Bible > Topical > Vision of Job of a Spirit

◄ Vision of Job of a Spirit ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The Vision of Job of a Spirit is a significant event recorded in the Book of Job, specifically in Job 4:12-21. This passage is part of the dialogue between Job and his friends, where Eliphaz the Temanite recounts a mysterious and unsettling vision he experienced. This vision is often interpreted as a divine or supernatural revelation, providing insight into the nature of humanity and the majesty of God.

Context and Setting

The Book of Job is a poetic and philosophical exploration of suffering, righteousness, and divine justice. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright" (Job 1:1), undergoes severe trials and tribulations. His friends, including Eliphaz, come to comfort him but end up engaging in a series of dialogues about the reasons for his suffering.

The Vision Described

Eliphaz introduces the vision in Job 4:12-13, stating, "Now a word came to me secretly; my ears caught a whisper of it. In disquieting visions in the night, when deep sleep falls on men." This introduction sets the stage for a revelation that is both personal and profound, occurring during a time of vulnerability and quiet.

In Job 4:14-16, Eliphaz describes the physical and emotional impact of the vision: "Fear and trembling came over me and made all my bones shake. A spirit glided past my face, and the hair on my body stood on end. It stood still, but I could not discern its appearance; a form loomed before my eyes, and I heard a whispering voice." The description emphasizes the awe and terror that accompany encounters with the divine or supernatural.

The Message of the Spirit

The spirit's message, as recounted by Eliphaz, is found in Job 4:17-21. The spirit questions, "Can a mortal be more righteous than God, or a man more pure than his Maker?" (Job 4:17). This rhetorical question underscores the theme of human limitation and the impossibility of surpassing divine righteousness.

The spirit continues, highlighting the frailty and mortality of humans: "If God puts no trust in His servants, and He charges His angels with error, how much more those who dwell in houses of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed like a moth!" (Job 4:18-19). This passage reflects the biblical understanding of human beings as created from dust, emphasizing their transient nature.

The vision concludes with a somber reflection on the brevity of life: "They are smashed to pieces from dawn to dusk; unnoticed, they perish forever. Are not their tent cords pulled up, so that they die without wisdom?" (Job 4:20-21). This imagery conveys the inevitability of death and the often-unrecognized passing of human life.

Interpretation and Significance

The Vision of Job of a Spirit serves as a reminder of the vast gulf between divine perfection and human imperfection. It reinforces the biblical theme of humility before God, acknowledging that even the most righteous individuals cannot claim superiority over their Creator. The vision also highlights the transient nature of human existence, urging a recognition of life's fragility and the need for divine wisdom.

Eliphaz's recounting of the vision is intended to persuade Job to consider his own position before God and to seek understanding in the midst of suffering. While Eliphaz's interpretation of the vision may not fully capture the complexity of Job's situation, it contributes to the broader theological discourse within the Book of Job regarding the nature of suffering, justice, and divine sovereignty.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 4:12-16
Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and my ear received a little thereof.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Of the Beatific vision.
... shut, since they shall always see Him with the spirit. ... Possibly it was this great
power of vision which was ... communicated to the eyes of the holy Job while yet ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 29 of the beatific vision.htm

Ezekiel's vision (Preached Before the Queen at Windsor, June 16 ...
... Now Ezekiel, inspired by the Spirit of God, rises far above ... God to set them right,
and by his vision to give ... as it is written in the Book of Job,"'Where wast ...
/.../the water of life and other sermons/sermon ix ezekiels vision preached.htm

On the Presentation of the Blessed virgin, or on the Octave of Her ...
... face in his mantle; which means that, however short and swift the vision was, still ...
Job needed it not after this fashion, therefore the Spirit came to ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon xiv on the presentation.htm

Job's Question, Jesus' Answer
... But the rapture and the vision pass, and the rest of ... and is perfect in body, soul,
and spirit, after the ... are ended, and the age-old question which Job asked is ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/jobs question jesus answer.htm

Vision First. Against Filthy and Proud Thoughts, and the ...
... The Pastor: Book First."Visions. Vision First. ... [Ephesians 2:12.]. [33] [Job 42:8.]. ...
[36] And ... sorrow. I leaping in spirit with joy at her salutation.--Lips. ...
/.../pastor/the pastor books first second third/vision first against filthy and.htm

A vision of Judgement and Cleansing
... But the second figure in the vision is 'the Satan ... in the latest books, as here and
in Job; but doctrinal ... existence and activity of a malignant spirit, who would ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/a vision of judgement and.htm

On the Conception of Our Lady, Also on Her Birth
... before God, he will understand what Job said: "A ... To that man will be given freedom
of spirit and supernatural ... things exist, in a steady unchanging vision of Him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tauler/the inner way/sermon iii on the conception.htm

The Deity of the Holy Spirit.
... We read in Job 33:4, "The Spirit of God ... to Jehovah, referred to the Holy Spirit,
and referred ... hence the propriety of the threefold application of the vision. ...
/.../torrey/the person and work of the holy spirit/chapter ii the deity of.htm

The Fifth vision "On Earth"
... The Fifth Vision "on Earth ... So with Job (i.1); and the Egyptian midwives (Exodus
1:17-21 ... 61:1, 2-, in the Synagogue at Nazareth (Luke 4:18-20): "The Spirit of the ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the fifth vision on earth.htm

Job
... of his criticism in the light of this vision of God ... led to the supposition that,
in the original book, Job maintained throughout the spirit of devout ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm