Scene (0'15")

Job. Scene One: Introduction - Pastoral Dance - Satan's Appeal to God - Saraband of the Sons & Daughters of God.

God

Hast thou considered My servant Job? (1:8)

Plate (0'55")

Job and his wife, surrounded by their sons and daughters, kneeling in prayer. Behind them, an immense flock of sheep, extending into the distance. Above, a massive tree with spreading limbs, festooned with musical instruments, in an ornamental manner - for show, not for use. (Plate 1)

BkJ

Thus did Job continually. (1:5)

BkJ (1'30")

In the country of Uz, in the lands to the East, there once dwelt a man named Job. And that Man was Perfect and Upright, one that feared God and shunned Evil. And unto him were born seven sons and three daughters. Among his possessions were numbered thousands of sheep & camels; hundreds of oxen & donkeys; and a great household of servants. (1:1-3)

Scene (2'15")

Pastoral Dance.

BkJ (2'30")

Job's sons would feast in one another's houses, each in turn, and his daughters with them. (1:4)

Job (2'55")

Did I not weep for those in trouble? Was not my soul afflicted for the needy? (30:25)

BkJ (3'15")

And each time their feasting was over, Job would perform a Rite of Purification over them, and would make a burnt offering for them. 'For,' said Job,

Job (3'28")

It may be that they have sinned, and in their hearts they may have blasphemed.

BkJ

Thus did Job continually. (1:5)

Job

I put on Righteousness, and it clothed me. My Justice was like a robe and a crown. (29:14)

NT (3'55")

The Letter kills! But the Spirit gives Life. (2 Cor 3:6)

NT

The Natural person, one who is self-sufficient, has no room for the Gifts of God's Spirit. Such a person cannot know them, for they are Spiritually discerned. But the Spiritual person can discern all things. (1 Cor 2:14-15)

NT

Who has put on the Mind of God? Who can instruct the Lord? (1 Cor 2:16)

Plate

Below, Job sits with his family. Above, God seated in majesty; agèd, like Job. (Plate 2)

OT

I beheld the Ancient of Days. And as I gazed into the Visions of the Night, I saw approaching One like a Son of Man, who was presented before Him. (Dan 7:9, 13)

Plate (5'00")

Between Job and God, a host of heavenly beings. But in the centre, a youthful, leaping figure, with skin like tarnished metal. (Plate 2)

Scene (5'45")

Dance of homage: Saraband of the Sons & Daughters of God.

BkJ

One day the Sons & Daughters of God gathered to present themselves before the Lord. And Satan - The Accuser - also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan:

God

Where have you come from?

BkJ

And Satan answered:

Satan

From going to and fro on the Earth. And from walking up and down in it. (1:6-7)

Scene

As a beam of light from Heaven falls on Job, God regards him with affection.

BkJ

And the Lord said to Satan:

God

Have you considered my servant Job? That there is none like him on the Earth, a Perfect and an Upright Man, one that fears God and shuns Evil?

BkJ

Then Satan answered unto the Lord:

Satan (7'00")

But naturally I would expect Job to be pious! For you have rewarded him with wealth. You have made his herds and his flocks to multiply on the land. But only stretch out your hand, and take back his possessions, and then - I warrant you - he will curse you to your face! (1:8-11)

Job

When the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were about me. (29:5)

BkJ

Then the Lord said unto Satan:

God

Behold, all that he possesses is in your power. Only against his body itself do not stretch your hand! (1:12)

OT

He makes the winds His messengers, and flaming fire His ministers. (Psalm 104:4)

BkJ (8'20")

Then went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord. (1:12)

Scene (8'38")

The Dance of homage resumes.

Ninette
de Valois

Scene

Scene 2. Satan's Dance of Triumph.

BkJ

So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord. (1:12)

Scene

God's throne is vacant; Satan is alone in Heaven. He kneels in mock adoration; he climbs onto the throne. The hosts of Hell come running in, to pay homage to the triumphant Satan.

NT

Before the Day of the Lord arrives, first shall come the Rebellion against God, when the spirit of Sin, the child of Destruction, the Lawless One shall seek to occupy God's throne, and shall demand to be worshipped as God. (2 Thess 2:3-4)

Scene

Scene 3: Minuet of the Sons of Job and Their Wives.

BkJ

One day Job's Sons and Daughters were eating, and drinking wine, in their eldest brother's house. (1:13)

Scene

Enter Job's sons and their wives, bearing golden wine cups, performing a graceful dance.

Satan

From going to and fro on the Earth. And from walking up and down in it. (1:7)

Scene

The minuet of Job's sons and their wives is interrupted by the entry of Satan. The dancers fall dead, and the minuet changes into funeral music.

Mnr4

There came a great wind, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead! (1:19)

William Blake:
Plate 3.
Suddenly came
a Great Wind

Scene

Scene 4. Job's Dream. Dance of Plague, Pestilence, Famine & Battle.

Eliphaz

In thoughts from the Visions of the Night ... fear came upon me and trembling. (4:13-14)

Scene

Job, asleep on his bed, moves uneasily.

Eliphaz

A spirit passed before my face; and the hair of my flesh bristled up. (4:15)

God (2'00")

Behold now Behemoth, which I made as well as you. Behold his strength in his loins, his power in the muscles of his belly. His limbs are like bars of iron. Surely the mountains bring him food. If a river rages, he is not alarmed.

God

Can you draw out Leviathan with a fishhook? Who can open the doors of his face? Around his teeth there is terror. His strong scales are his pride. None are so fierce that they dare arouse him. He looks on everything that is high. He is king over all the sons of Pride.
Who then is the one that can stand before Me? Who has given to Me, that I should repay him? Whatever is under the whole Heaven is Mine.

Scene (3'15")

Satan enters, and calls up visions of Plague; Pestilence; Famine; Battle & Death.

Scene

Scene 5: Dance of the Messengers.

BkJ

There came a messenger. (1:14)

BkJ (0'40")

Now it happened on that day when Job's sons and daughters were eating, and drinking wine, in their eldest brother's house, that a messenger came to Job and said,

Mnr1

The Oxen were plowing, and the Donkeys were feeding beside them, and the Sabeans raided them and carried them off, and killed the Servants with the edge of the sword! I alone have escaped to tell you.

BkJ (1'10")

While that one was yet speaking, there came another also and said,

Mnr2

The Fire of God fell from Heaven, and burned up the Sheep and the Servants, and consumed them! And only I have escaped to tell you.

BkJ (1'50")

And while that one was still speaking, there came yet another and said,

Mnr3

The Chaldeans made a raid on the Camels and carried them off, and killed the Servants with the edge of the sword! I alone have survived to tell you.

BkJ (2'20")

While that one was yet speaking, there came one more and said,

Mnr4

Your Sons and Daughters were eating, and drinking wine, in their eldest brother's house, and suddenly came a great wind from the Wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon those young people, and they are dead! I only am escaped to tell you.

BkJ (3'30")

Then Job rose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell on the ground - And worshipped the Lord:

Job

Naked came I from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go to my grave.
    The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessèd be the name of the Lord!

BkJ

In all this Job did not sin with his lips, nor in his heart. Neither did he charge the Lord with wrong-doing. (1:13-22)

Scene

The Second Coming of Satan. Dance of homage: Saraband of the Sons & Daughters of God.

BkJ

Again one day the Sons & Daughters of God gathered to present themselves before the Lord. And Satan - The Accuser - also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan:

God

Where have you come from?

BkJ

And Satan answered:

Satan

From going to and fro on the Earth. And from walking up and down in it. (2:1-2)

Job

I lived like a King among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn. (29:25)

BkJ

And the Lord said to Satan:

God

Have you considered My servant Job? That there is none like him on the Earth, a Perfect and an Upright Man, one that fears God and shuns Evil? He still persists in his integrity, even though you incited Me against him, to ruin him without cause! (2:3)

BkJ

Then Satan answered the Lord:

Satan

Skin for skin! All that people possess, their goods, their families, they will give up to save their own lives. To save their own skins, they will even sacrifice their children's lives! But only stretch out your hand, and cast a blight on Job's body, and then - I assure you - he will indeed curse you to your face!

BkJ

Then the Lord said unto Satan:

God

Behold, he is in your power. But spare his life itself!

BkJ

So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord - And inflicted loathsome sores on Job from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. Then Job's wife asked him, whether he still held fast his faith. But Job answered her,

Job

Shall we take the good from the hand of the Lord, and not accept the bad?

BkJ

In all this Job did not sin with his lips, nor did he reproach God. (2:4-10)

Scene

Scene 6: Dance of Job's Comforters - Job's Curse - A Vision of Satan.

Eliphaz

Behold, how happy is the one whom God punishes. (5:17)

BkJ

Now when Job's three friends - Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite - heard about all his troubles, they went to him; and they wept; and sat with him for seven days and seven nights, not speaking to him. For they saw that his suffering was very great. (2:11-13)
At last Job opened his mouth. And he cursed the day of his birth. (3:1)
And so his friends sought to reason with him. First of them to speak was Eliphaz the Temanite:

Eliphaz (0'0")

Think now, who that was innocent ever perished? As I have seen, those who plough Iniquity and sow Trouble, reap the same. By the Breath of God they perish. (4:7-9)
A word came to me stealthily. And amid thoughts from Visions of the Night, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. A Spirit passed before my face; and the hair of my flesh stood up. 

Eliphaz

And out of the silence I heard a voice: ‘How could mortals justify themselves before God? When the Lord sees imperfections even in His own angels?' (4:12-18)

Behold, how happy is the one that God punishes; Therefore do not complain at the discipline of the Almighty! For He wounds, but He binds up. He strikes, but His hands heal. (5:17-18)
What do you understand that we do not? The gray-haired and the agèd agree with us. (15:9-10)

BkJ

Also Bildad the Shuhite spoke:

Bildad

Does God commit injustice? Or does the Almighty pervert what is Right? Seek God, and make supplication to the Almighty! (8:3-5)
Behold, God will not reject a blameless person. (8:20)
Surely, the light of the wicked is put out. Their own schemes throw them down. For by their own acts are they thrust into a net; and on their own feet do they walk into a pitfall. (18:5-8)

BkJ (2'08")

And Zophar the Naamathite spoke:

Zophar

You say, ‘My conduct is pure, and I am free of blame.' But oh! that God would speak, and show you the secrets of wisdom! Then you would understand that God punishes you less than your guilt deserves. (11:4-6)
He knows who are false. He marks well their misdeeds. If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward Him. If you repudiate your sins, and drive wickedness away, surely then you will lift up your face without blemish; you will be secure, and will not fear. (11:11-15)

BkJ: (2'50")

But Job had rebelled against the Lord:

Job

Let the day perish wherein I was born! And the night that announced me, saying, 'A child is conceived.' Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. (3:1-4)
Why did I not die at birth? Then would I have slept; then would I have been at rest, (3:11-13)
Like infants that never saw light. (3:16)

BkJ

And Job argued against his friends:

Job

Look, my eye has seen all this; my ear has heard and understood it. (13:1)

Job

Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand where I have gone wrong. (6:24)
How can a mortal be just before God? (9:2)
Look, He passes me by, and I do not see Him; He moves on, and I do not perceive Him. (9:11)
He has put my family far from me. Those I loved have turned against me. (19:13)
I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are allotted to me. When I lie down, I say, 'When shall I rise?' But the night is long, and full of tossing until dawn. (7:3-4)
I loathe my life. (7:16)
Have pity upon me, O ye my friends! For I have been struck down by the hand of God. Why do you persecute me, as God does, and are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh, that my words were written down! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book! Oh, that with a pen of iron they were engraved in rock forever! For I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He shall stand on the Earth. And even though my flesh be destroyed, yet I shall see God. I myself shall see Him; my eyes shall behold Him, and not any other. (19:21-27)

William Blake:
Plate 10.
The Accusing
Comforters

Job

If you say, 'What case against Job can we find?' then be afraid for yourselves. For your anger will bring on you judgment and punishment.

Why do the wicked live on, and grow mighty? They spend their days in prosperity. They say to God, 'Leave us alone! We do not desire to know your ways. What is the Almighty, that we should serve him? And what profit do we get if we pray to him?' (21:7-15)

Miserable comforters are you all! I could talk as you do, if I were in your place. (16:2-4)
I hold fast my righteousness, and will not let it go. My heart does not reproach me for any of my days. (27:6)

BkJ

So Job's three friends ceased to answer him, because he was righteous in his own eyes. (32:1)

Scene (0'0")

Scene 7: Elihu's Dance of Youth and Beauty - Pavane of the Sons & Daughters of the Morning.

Elihu

I am Young, and ye are very Old. (32:6)

Plate

Stars show in the dark sky. Job sits with his wife and friends, silent now and exhausted after their arguing. Elihu the youthful approaches, his arm reaching out to them. (Plate 12)

BkJ (0'40")

Then Elihu son of Barachel became angry. He was angry at Job because he justified himself rather than God. He was angry also at Job's friends because they had found no answer, and yet had still condemned Job. And at last he spoke: (32:2-6)

Elihu

I am young and you are agèd; wherefore I was afraid to declare my opinion. I thought, 'Let the Years speak, for Experience teaches Wisdom.' But truly it is Inspiration from the Almighty that makes for Understanding. Those abundant in Years may not be Wise, nor may elders understand Justice. (32:6-9)

Elihu

Job, please hear me, for my words spring from the heart; and my lips speak knowledge sincerely. The Spirit of God has made me, and the Breath of the Almighty gives me Life. But I am as you are; I too was formed of clay. No fear of me need terrify you. (33:1-7)

You have spoken in my hearing, and I have heard the sound of your words. You say, 'I am clean, without transgressions; I am pure, and there is no iniquity in me.
Look, He finds occasions against me, He counts me as His enemy.' (33:8-10)

But in this you are not right. I will answer you: God is greater than any mortal. Why do you contend against Him, saying, 'He will answer none of my words'? For God speaks in one way, and in two, though you do not perceive it. (33:12-14)

In dreams, in Visions of the Night, when sleep falls upon mortals, while they slumber on their beds, then He opens their ears, and terrifies them with warnings! That He may turn them aside from their deeds, and keep them from Pride, to spare their souls from the Pit. (33:15-18)

Elihu

They are also chastened with pain upon their beds, and with continual strife in their bones. Their souls draw near the Pit, and their lives to those who bring Death. (33:19-22)

Scene (4'00")

Heaven gradually becomes visible behind the stars. The Sons & Daughters of the Morning dance a stately pavane.

Elihu (4'09")

Then, if there should be for one of them an Angel, a Mediator, one in a thousand, one who declares that person upright, one who intercedes and says, 'Deliver him from going down into the Pit! I have found a Ransom.' (33:23-24)

Elihu

Then that person prays to God, and is accepted by Him, and comes into His presence with joy, and sings to others, and says, 'I sinned, and perverted what was Right, and it was not paid back to me. He has redeemed my soul from going down into the Pit, and my life shall see the Light!' (33:26-28)

Elihu (5'15")

Indeed, God does all these things once, twice, many times, with mortals, to bring back their souls from the Pit, so that they may see the Light of Life. (33:29-30)

Scene

Scene 8: Galliard of the Sons & Daughters of the Morning - Altar Dance and Heavenly Pavane.

BkJ

All the Sons & Daughters of God shouted for joy.

Scene

Satan appears before the Lord, to claim victory over Job. But God pronounces sentence of banishment on Satan, and the Sons & Daughters of the Morning expel Satan from Heaven.

BkJ

Out of the Whirlwind the Lord then answered Job:

God

Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Prepare yourself - I will question you, and you shall instruct Me:
Where were you, when I laid the foundation of the Earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding! On what were its bases sunk? And who laid its cornerstone? When the Morning Stars sang together, and the Sons and Daughters of God shouted for joy!

God

Who enclosed the sea with doors, when it burst forth from its womb? When I said, 'Thus far shall you come, and no farther. Here shall your proud waves be stopped.' (38:1-11)
Since your days began, have you ever commanded the morning? And caused the dawn to know its place? So that it might take hold of the ends of the Earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? Light is withheld from the wicked, and their uplifted arm is broken. (38:12-15)
Have the Gates of Death been revealed to you? Have you seen the Gates of deep darkness? (38:17)
Prepare yourself - I will ask you, and you shall instruct Me:
Will you really annul My judgment? Will you condemn Me, so that you may be justified? (40:7-8)

BkJ

Job then answered the Lord:

Job

I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
I had declared that which I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.
I had heard of You by the hearing of the ear. But now my eye sees You! Therefore I repent, and I retract what I had been saying. (42:1-6)

BkJ

Afterward the Lord said to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar:

God

My anger is kindled against you, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as Job has done.
But Job My servant shall pray for you; and I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly.

BkJ

And the Lord accepted Job's prayer. (42:7-9)

William Blake:
Plate 17.
Now my eye
sees You

Scene

Scene 9: Epilogue.

BkJ

And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning. (42:12)

BkJ

And when Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored Job's fortunes. Then came to Job all his brothers and his sisters and all who had known him before; and they ate bread with him in his house. And they consoled him for all the anguish and pain the Lord had brought on him.
So the Lord blessed Job's ending days more than his beginning.
Job and his wife had seven sons and three daughters. (42:10-13)

Plate

Under the same tree as before stand Job and his wife, with their sons and daughters.
But they have taken down the musical instruments and play them, as they sing: (Plate 21)

NT

Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty; Just and True are Your ways, O King of Saints. (Rev 15:3)

NT

In burnt offering or sacrifice for sin You have taken no pleasure. Behold, I have come to do Your will, O Lord. (Heb 10:6-7)

BkJ

Job and his wife named their first daughter Jemimah; the second, Keziah; and their third, Keren-happuch.
In all the land there were no women as fair as Job's daughters. And Job gave them inheritance along with their brothers. (42:14-15)