Astronomy and the Bible;

CHAPTERVI

TheTransferofEnergy

THE

book ofJob containsmany references to
thethingsofthematerialworld. TheCreator,
intheclosingchaptersofthebook,laysbefore
thepuzzledJobsomeofthefundamentalproblemsof
science. Thereasonofthisiseasilydiscovered.
Jobhadbeensorelyafflicted. Bereftoffamilyand
allearthly possessions, sufferingof a loathsome dis-
ease, he is atlength visitedbythree of his friends.
The three know but one philosophy: Suffering is
alwaysonaccount ofsin, andis ministeredinexact
proportiontotheenormityofthatsin. Ifaman is
wellandprosperous,thatisevidenceofhisrighteous-
ness;ifheisafflicted,thatisproofofhissin.
Thethree donotsee inJobanysemblance tohis
formerself. Theyliftuptheirvoicesandweep,rend
theirmantles,sprinkledustupontheirheads,sitdown
uponthegroundsevendaysandsevennights,offering
nota word.
Atlast,thesuft'eringofJobbecomesso greatthat
he curses thedaywherein he wasborn. Thethree

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