10/24/2022
Night Reading (Ancient of Days)
Job 12:10-16: [In whose hand is the soul] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind. Doth not the ear try words? and the mouth taste his meat? With [the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding]. With [him is wisdom and strength], he hath [counsel and understanding]. Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening. Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth. [With him is strength and wisdom]: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
What is the Wisdom of Ancient Men compared with the Wisdom of [the Ancient of Days]! It is but little that we know, and less that we can do; but the Most High can do everything, and no thought can be withheld from him. Happy are those who have the Most High for their Almighty, for [they have infinite wisdom and strength engaged] for them. Foolish and fruitless are all the attempts of men against him, for he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again. There is no contending with divine providence, nor breaking the measures of it. The Most High is "from everlasting to everlasting," He is "the first and the last." He is “King of all Kings.” The eternality of the Most High, an attribute unique only to Him as the Ancient of Days. It is written: “Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, what doest thou? (Job 9:12). He takes away, and who can hinder him? So, he says again: what the Most High says cannot be contradicted, nor what he does undone. There is no rebuilding what the Most High has laid waste in ruins could never be repaired. There is no releasing those whom the Most High has condemned. If he shut up a man by sickness, reduce him to straits, and embarrass him in his affairs, there can be no opening. [If the Most High gives a word to man, no one can change, rescind or do away with it; for only He that gave it can withdraw it.]