I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you.
Read Chapter 42
George Leo Haydock
AD 1849
Seeth thee. Some have thought that God now manifested himself from the cloud. But all now agree that he only enlightened his understanding, and made known his designs more clearly.
Job now perceived that he had spoken too boldly, in saying, Hear, and I will speak, ver. 4. The rest of this book is in prose.
To hear is, with us, to adapt our ear, which is in one place, to a sound that comes from another. But with God, on the other hand, to whom nothing is external, hearing is properly for him to perceive our longings that are rising up beneath him. For us then to speak to God, who is acquainted with the hearts even of those that hold their peace, is not for us to utter what we think with the words of our throat but to long for him with eager desires. A person asks a question in order to be able to learn that of which he is ignorant; for a person to question God is to acknowledge that he is ignorant in his sight. But for God, to reply is for him to instruct with his secret inspirations the one who humbly acknowledges his ignorance. - "Morals on the Book of Job 35.4"
5. By these words he doubtless plainly declares, that as far as sight is superior to hearing, so far does the progress also he had made through suffering differ from that which he was before. And because he had beheld more plainly the light of truth with the eye within, he more clearly discerned and beheld the darkness of his humanity.
