#breath — Public Fediverse posts

#TimeTravelingGhost EP 11: Post 117, 1191, The Castle of Nicosia

#Wss366 Sty #TimeTravelAuthors 07/11 Saturday breathe/breath

When the conclave ended, I needed to talk with Emily. She wouldn’t say things like that unless she meant more. Although we had only known each other for a few weeks, I hoped her flattering words weren’t just fluff. Right now, though, I needed to focus on my Templar impersonation.

Even if I had wanted to discuss our relationship then, I couldn’t, as Petros had returned with what turned out to be one of the worst meals I’d ever faced: tough, fatty meat and coarse, gritty bread. With the help of the sour wine, I choked it down. I had no choice but to eat it if I wanted to maintain my pretense.

Relief came partway through the meal, when another servant arrived announcing: “If you will follow me, M’Lord.”

I handed Petros the remains of the food and followed the servant into the courtyard and to the central citadel. At the door, we passed a squad of knights in full armor standing guard. They were grim figures, many with scarred faces visible beneath their helmets. Even the fortress gate hadn’t been guarded this well.

Once inside, I was led to a chamber dominated by a raised dais at the far end. Men sat in chairs around a table running down the center of the room, their gazes turned to fix on me. Brian de Bois-Guilbert rose from one of the chairs and announced, “Sir William de Lancaster, in the service of my friend the Prior of Aymer.”

“I heard you died,” another voice said.

Silence fell, and all the faces turned to look at the speaker: a man with a full, trimmed beard and narrow eyes. A #sty marred his handsome Latin features.

“Lord Conrad, I vouch for him,” Bois-Guilbert replied.

The man waved a hand, dismissing the objection. “Let the Lancaster speak for himself. Matters are too weighty for him to remain unchallenged.”

Sir Brian’s face grew red, but he remained silent.

I took a deep #breath, pointed to my throat, and choked out: “Miracle… Swallowed… Lead…Released…”

A third voice spoke, a bishop by his appearance. “My lord, Marquis, what say you? Will you deny the Lord’s miracle?”

#TootFic #NMFic #TimeTravel #HistoricalFantasy #UrbanFantasy #Mythpunk #Serial #Slowburn #Sapphic

Living Mindfully: The Power of Ki, Wa, and Pneuma

In the fast-paced, individualistic culture of the United States, many seek meaning, balance, and connection. While Western philosophies often emphasize personal achievement and independence, Japanese life philosophies—particularly the concepts of Ki (energy, spirit) and Wa (harmony)—offer a refreshing perspective. When blended with the ancient Greek idea of Pneuma (breath, vital spirit), these philosophies can transform the way we live and work in the West.

Understanding Ki (気 or 氣 ): The Flow of Energy

Ki, written as 気 in Japanese, is a concept that transcends simple translation. It is often described as “energy,” “spirit,” or “breath,” but in reality, it is the subtle, animating force that permeates all aspects of existence. In traditional Japanese culture, Ki is not just an abstract idea; it is a lived reality, shaping how people move, interact, and even think. It is the invisible current that links the mind, the body, and the world around us, creating a sense of unity and flow.

When we bring the idea of Ki into the context of Western life, especially in the United States where the pace is often relentless and the focus is on outward achievement, it becomes a powerful tool for transformation. In the workplace, for example, Ki can be seen in the energy we project during meetings, the focus we bring to our tasks, and the way we interact with colleagues. A person whose Ki is balanced and strong tends to radiate calm confidence, inspiring trust and cooperation. Conversely, when our Ki is scattered—when we are stressed, distracted, or exhausted—our work suffers, and so do our relationships.

Cultivating Ki in daily life requires a shift in awareness. Rather than treating energy as an unlimited resource to be spent carelessly, we begin to notice its ebb and flow. This might mean recognizing when we are pushing ourselves too hard and choosing to pause, breathe, and reset. It could involve starting the day with a few moments of stillness, allowing the mind to settle and the breath to deepen, setting a tone of clarity and intention. In interactions with others, honoring Ki means being fully present—listening with attention, speaking with sincerity, and responding with empathy. This presence is felt by others, often more powerfully than words.

The Japanese understanding of Ki also teaches us that our energy is not isolated. It is constantly interacting with the Ki of others and the environment. In a Western context, this can be a reminder that our mood and attitude are contagious. A leader who maintains a steady, positive Ki can uplift an entire team, while negativity or agitation can quickly spread. By tending to our own Ki, we not only improve our own well-being but also contribute to a healthier, more harmonious atmosphere around us.

Ultimately, living with an awareness of Ki is about moving through life with intention and respect—for ourselves, for others, and for the spaces we inhabit. It is a practice of attunement, of noticing the subtle signals within and without, and responding with care. In a world that often values speed and output above all else, the wisdom of Ki invites us to slow down, to breathe, and to remember that true vitality comes from balance, presence, and connection.

Ki (気) is the subtle, animating force often described as energy, spirit, or breath, permeating all aspects of existence in Japanese culture. More than an abstract idea, Ki shapes how people move, interact, and think, linking mind, body, and environment in a unified flow. In Western life, especially amid the pressures of constant achievement, Ki becomes a transformative tool—guiding us to be mindful of our energy, to act with intention, and to be present in our interactions. Cultivating Ki means recognizing its ebb and flow, caring for our own vitality, and understanding that our energy affects those around us. Ultimately, living with Ki is about moving through life with awareness and respect, fostering balance, presence, and meaningful connection.

Embracing Wa (和): Harmony in Community

Wa, represented by the character 和, is deeply woven into the fabric of Japanese culture. It is more than just the absence of conflict; it is an active, ongoing cultivation of balance and unity, both within oneself and among people. In Japan, Wa is not simply a social ideal but a lived practice, influencing everything from the way meetings are conducted to the subtle etiquette of daily interactions. It is the invisible glue that holds communities together, fostering a sense of mutual respect and shared purpose.

Translating Wa into a Western context, especially in the United States where individual achievement and assertiveness are often celebrated, can feel countercultural. Yet, the principle of Wa offers a powerful antidote to the isolation and fragmentation that sometimes accompany such values. Embracing Wa means shifting the focus from “me” to “we,” from personal gain to collective flourishing. It is about recognizing that our well-being is intimately connected to the well-being of those around us.

In the workplace, Wa manifests as a commitment to collaboration and open communication. Rather than viewing colleagues as competitors, we begin to see them as partners in a shared endeavor. This shift encourages us to listen more deeply, to value diverse perspectives, and to resolve disagreements with empathy and respect. When conflicts arise, the spirit of Wa invites us to seek solutions that honor everyone’s dignity, rather than simply “winning” an argument. Over time, this approach builds trust and loyalty, creating a work environment where people feel safe to contribute their best.

In personal life, Wa encourages us to nurture our relationships with care and intention. It is present in the small acts of kindness that sustain friendships, in the patience we extend to family members, and in the effort we make to create peaceful, welcoming spaces. Wa also extends beyond our immediate circles, inspiring us to contribute to the greater good—whether through volunteering, supporting community initiatives, or simply being a considerate neighbor. In this way, Wa becomes a guiding principle for living in harmony with others, reminding us that our actions ripple outward, shaping the world we share.

Perhaps most importantly, Wa is not about suppressing individuality or avoiding all conflict. Rather, it is about finding a dynamic balance, where each person’s unique gifts are honored within the context of the whole. By integrating Wa into Western life, we learn to move beyond self-interest, cultivating a sense of belonging and shared responsibility. In doing so, we create communities—at work, at home, and beyond—where harmony is not just an ideal, but a lived reality.

Wa (和) is a core Japanese value that goes beyond simply avoiding conflict; it is the active cultivation of balance, unity, and mutual respect within oneself and among people. Deeply embedded in Japanese culture, Wa shapes daily interactions and community life, serving as the foundation for cooperation and shared purpose. In Western contexts, especially where individualism is prized, embracing Wa means shifting focus from personal gain to collective well-being, fostering collaboration, empathy, and open communication. Wa encourages nurturing relationships, contributing to the greater good, and creating harmonious environments, all while honoring individual uniqueness within the group. Ultimately, Wa is about building communities where harmony is not just an ideal, but a practical, lived experience.

The Breath of Life: Pneuma (πνεῦμα)

Pneuma, a word that echoes through the halls of ancient Greek philosophy, is far more than mere air. It is the vital spirit, the animating breath that infuses the body with life and consciousness. For the Stoics, Pneuma was the force that structured the cosmos and gave coherence to all living things; for physicians like Galen, it was the subtle substance that moved through the body, sustaining health and awareness. In this sense, Pneuma is both a physical and metaphysical principle, a reminder that life itself is inseparable from the act of breathing.

In the context of modern Western life, Pneuma offers a powerful metaphor for vitality and presence. The breath, so often taken for granted, becomes a touchstone for our state of being. When we are anxious or hurried, our breathing becomes shallow and rapid, mirroring the turbulence within. When we are calm and centered, our breath deepens and slows, anchoring us in the present moment. By bringing conscious attention to the breath, we can influence not only our physiological state but also our mental clarity and emotional resilience.

Incorporating Pneuma into daily routines does not require elaborate rituals. It can begin with the simple act of pausing to notice the breath before a challenging conversation or a demanding task. This pause creates a space—a moment of stillness—where we can gather ourselves, release tension, and approach the situation with greater composure. Over time, practices such as meditation, yoga, or even mindful walking can deepen our relationship with the breath, transforming it from an unconscious reflex into a source of renewal and strength.

The breath also serves as a bridge between body and mind, uniting the physical and the spiritual. In moments of stress or distraction, returning to the breath can ground us, drawing our awareness back from scattered thoughts to the immediacy of the present. This grounding effect is not merely psychological; it has tangible benefits for our health, reducing stress hormones, lowering blood pressure, and enhancing overall well-being.

Moreover, Pneuma invites us to consider the interconnectedness of all life. Just as the air we breathe is shared by every living creature, so too is the spirit of vitality that animates us all. In this way, the practice of mindful breathing becomes an act of communion—with ourselves, with others, and with the world at large. It is a gentle but profound reminder that, at the most fundamental level, we are all sustained by the same breath, the same spirit.

By embracing Pneuma in our daily lives, we cultivate not only physical vitality but also a deeper sense of presence and purpose. The breath becomes more than a biological necessity; it becomes a wellspring of clarity, resilience, and connection, infusing each moment with the fullness of life.

Pneuma, in ancient Greek philosophy, is much more than air—it is the vital spirit or animating breath that gives life and consciousness to all beings. For the Stoics, it structured the cosmos and unified existence; for ancient physicians, it sustained health and awareness. In modern life, Pneuma serves as a metaphor for vitality and presence, reminding us that conscious attention to our breath can ground us, calm our minds, and enhance our well-being. By making the breath a focal point—whether through simple pauses or mindful practices—we bridge body and mind, foster resilience, and connect more deeply with ourselves and others. Ultimately, Pneuma teaches that we are all sustained by the same breath, and that mindful breathing can infuse our lives with clarity, strength, and a sense of shared humanity.

Integrating East and West: A Practical Approach

Bringing together the philosophies of Ki, Wa, and Pneuma within the context of a Western lifestyle is not about rejecting the values or traditions one has grown up with. Rather, it is an act of enrichment—a way to deepen and broaden the experience of daily life by drawing on the wisdom of multiple cultures. This integration is subtle and personal, manifesting not as a wholesale adoption of foreign customs, but as a gentle layering of new perspectives onto familiar routines.

The day might begin with a quiet moment of reflection, a conscious tuning-in to one’s own energy. This is the practice of Ki: noticing how you feel, what your body and mind are communicating, and setting an intention for how you wish to move through the hours ahead. This intention is not just about productivity or accomplishment, but about the quality of presence you bring to your activities. It is a way of honoring your own vitality and preparing to engage with the world in a meaningful way.

As the day unfolds, the principle of Wa comes into play, especially in interactions with others. Whether at work, at home, or in the community, there is an opportunity to prioritize harmony and collaboration over competition or self-assertion. This does not mean suppressing your own needs or opinions, but rather seeking a balance between your individuality and the collective good. It is about listening as much as speaking, supporting as much as leading, and recognizing that the strength of any group lies in its ability to work together with mutual respect. In this way, Wa becomes a living value, shaping the tone of conversations, the resolution of conflicts, and the building of trust.

Throughout all of this, the breath—Pneuma—serves as a constant companion and guide. By returning to the breath in moments of stress, excitement, or fatigue, you create a bridge between body and mind, grounding yourself in the present and renewing your sense of purpose. The breath becomes a tool for resilience, helping you to navigate challenges with greater calm and clarity. It is also a reminder of your connection to something larger: the shared air, the shared spirit, that links you to others and to the world itself.

In this integrated approach, success is redefined. It is no longer measured solely by personal achievement or external recognition, but by the quality of your relationships, the sense of balance you maintain, and the positive impact you have on those around you. The pursuit of individual goals is harmonized with a commitment to the well-being of the community, creating a life that is both fulfilling and sustainable.

Ultimately, living with Ki, Wa, and Pneuma is an ongoing practice—a way of being that evolves with experience and reflection. It is an invitation to move through the world with greater awareness, compassion, and vitality, drawing on the best of both Eastern and Western traditions to create a life that is uniquely your own.

Integrating the philosophies of Ki, Wa, and Pneuma into a Western lifestyle is not about abandoning one’s own culture, but about enriching daily life by blending diverse wisdoms. This approach involves tuning into your own energy and intentions (Ki), fostering harmony and collaboration in relationships (Wa), and using mindful breathing (Pneuma) to stay grounded and resilient. Rather than adopting foreign customs wholesale, it’s about layering these perspectives onto familiar routines, redefining success as balance, meaningful connection, and positive impact. Ultimately, living with Ki, Wa, and Pneuma is a personal, evolving practice that brings greater awareness, compassion, and vitality, harmonizing individual goals with the well-being of the community.

Conclusion

The synthesis of Ki, Wa, and Pneuma offers a profound reimagining of what it means to live well in the modern Western world. Rather than asking us to abandon the drive, ambition, and individuality that characterize much of Western culture, these philosophies invite us to temper those qualities with a deeper sense of awareness, harmony, and presence. The result is a life that is not only dynamic—full of energy, creativity, and personal growth—but also deeply harmonious, rooted in connection to others and to the world around us.

In a society where the pursuit of personal achievement and relentless productivity can sometimes lead to isolation, stress, and a sense of emptiness, the wisdom of Ki reminds us to honor our own energy and to move through life with intention. Wa, in turn, encourages us to see ourselves as part of a larger whole, to cultivate relationships and environments where cooperation and mutual respect flourish. Pneuma, the breath of life, grounds us in the present moment, offering a simple yet powerful tool for resilience and renewal.

Together, these philosophies create a framework for living that is both expansive and grounded. They teach us that true fulfillment is not found in the extremes of self-sacrifice or self-absorption, but in the ongoing dance between self and community, ambition and acceptance, action and stillness. This integrated approach does not diminish the value of Western ideals; instead, it enriches them, adding layers of meaning and connection that might otherwise be overlooked.

Ultimately, to weave Ki, Wa, and Pneuma into the fabric of daily life is to choose a path of balance. It is to recognize that our well-being is inseparable from the well-being of others, that our vitality is sustained by both inner intention and outer harmony, and that our greatest achievements are those that contribute to a sense of belonging and shared purpose. In this way, we create not just a life of personal success, but a life of genuine connection—a life that honors both the self and the whole, and that finds its deepest meaning in the spaces between.

#1girl #absurdres #arm_cutout #black_choker #black_hair #black_jacket #black_serafuku #black_shirt #black_skirt #blurry #blurry_background #blush #breasts #breath #chisa_(wuthering_waves) #choker #clothing_cutout #coa_(35_seno) #collarbone #commentary #english_commentary #food #food_in_mouth #hair_ribbon #hand_up #heart #highres #indoors #jacket #kneeling #long_hair #looking_at_viewer #medium_breasts #mole #mole_under_eye #neckerchief #pocky #pocky_in_mouth #red_eyes #red_neckerchief #red_ribbon #ribbon #sailor_collar #school_uniform #serafuku #shirt #skirt #solo #tacet_mark_(wuthering_waves) #very_long_hair #white_sailor_collar #wuthering_waves https://danbooru.donmai.us/posts/10310851

This is now the longest shutdown in U.S. history, finally surpassing the shutdown in #OurPutin's first term (re: funding the Mexican border wall which was completed LOL & they paid for it LOLs).
>The county map showing SNAP recipients resembles a map showing MAGA voters.
#MAGA #fascist #USA #FoodStamps #SNAP #benefits #starve the #enemy & #steal #health #insurance #MikeJohnson #lies w/ #every #breath #taken #America got #AnotherOrban #shutdown #fascism #cruelty #austerity
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025_United_States_federal_government_shutdown

The Gateway
The breath is a gateway to the innerscape.

#breath #innerlandscape #meditation

Funny things about words.

https://www.urbanmind.net/display/f7dd981d-1067-a353-835f-4a5479987391

X is terrible, but after the Meta news on explicitly allowing transphobia / transmisia, overall it's just been a tough week.
Idk what I have but my asthma attack started last week. Elevated neutrophils indicate bacterial infection, my GP said? So either it was "probably viral" like the OoH 111 GP said and became bacterial as well, or I was unlucky that it was bacterial to begin with.

I've been on Prednisolone, a corticosteroid since the 9th; then last night I started Doxycyline, an antibiotic, and Montelukast.
Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist, so it blocks leukotrienes, my patient pamphlet says.

Got a chest X ray out of it, at least. (Had back pain behind my ex-gallbladder since its removal anyway.)
Let this be a lesson not to lessen your mask discipline or stubbornness when other people peer pressure you to take risks with your health.
This is my first asthma exacerbation in a decade and I do not want to continue experiencing this. I do not recommend it. The people telling me I was 'paranoid', 'over-thinking it', 'worried about nothing' and more do NOT have to feel what I am feeling.

Teenage boys in public who choose to whine at me and intentionally coughing towards me (what?!!?) is super aggressive, creepy, entitled, and harmful to everyone witnessing that. Still, my upper and mid back has not stopped aching. I don't get fevers and I don't have a cough. Only you know your body.

Some people choose to care about harm reduction; others don't. Do right by yourself and do your sustainable best by others. I believe in you!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My_wEXmNgtA

#sick #illness #RespiratoryIllness #PostViralIllness #ChronicIllnessMemes #virus #bacteria #viral #sickness #infection #InfectionPrevention #pathogen #pathogensAirborneTransmission #infectious #disease #diseases #AsthmaAttacked #AsthmaExacerbation #breathe #breath

#TheMetalDogArticleList #Loudwire Therapist Reveals What We Can Learn from Tool's 'Pneuma' How well do you know the Tool song 'Pneuma' and what useful thing can you gather from it? loudwire.com/therapist-wh... #Tool #Pneuma #TaylorPalmby #Therapist #Music #MentalHealth #Light #Spirit #Breath #Pain

#TheMetalDogArticleList
#Loudwire
Therapist Reveals What We Can Learn from Tool's 'Pneuma'
How well do you know the Tool song 'Pneuma' and what useful thing can you gather from it?

https://loudwire.com/therapist-what-we-learn-tool-pneuma/

#Tool #Pneuma #TaylorPalmby #Therapist #Music #MentalHealth #Light #Spirit #Breath #Pain #Purpose #HeartSupport

Fragments from the Book of Job #6: chapters 38-42

In his concluding speech in chapter 31, Job did demand that God appear before him, and in a sense, it is somewhat surprising for Elihu to appear instead.  But can a man command God to appear? Do we have the right or authority to demand the Most High to appear before us?
Job’s concluding remarks in chapter 31 could unlikely in some way compel the Almighty Elohimto appear.

Elihu came in between the discussion because he found lots of things said to Job but also about God were not right. He had found that multiple words against God were uttered, charging God of doing nothing about wickedness or even using evil things to vindicate. Though we can find some kind of truth and authority in the words from Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, they grated on the nerves of Elihu and angered God. It was not because God kept His silence that He did not listen or did not care, nor lost control over nation or man (Job 34:29-30). Also Elihu had the wrong idea about God working with His people. This sometimes arrogant looking person ends up offering a similar argument to that of the three friends: God is greater than man (Job 33:12) and thus he must have intended to warn or rebuke Job (Job 33:14–30). He even hopes that Job’s trials will continue either until he recants or, if he does not recant, until he dies (Job 34:36-37) and states Job’s complaint that godliness avails a man nothing (Job 35:1-4). He also declared that God is too lofty to be affected either by godliness or ungodliness, which only affect other people (Job 35:5-8). An other fault brought forwards to those who are unlucky is that unanswered prayers would be because of the lack of faith of those who pray and to the emptiness of the prayer (Job 35:-16). Elihu at moments continued to attack Job in the line of the other three older friends (e.g., Job 34:10-37; 35:16). He also suggested that Job had not recognized and maybe even had ignored the ways in which God had spoken to him (Job 33:14). The continual appeal for Job by the four friends to simply repent of whatever evil he has done is an obvious misdiagnosis, in light of the prologue (chapters 1-2) and on the other elements Job brought forward to plea for his justice, recapitulated by Elihu at the opening of his speech (Job 33:6, 9; 34:5-9).

Elihu, who sometimes handled as if he were thinking to be like a prophet, shed already a further light on the matter that the creator of the universe cannot be unjust (Job 32:18–20; 34:10-28). Perhaps we may be called men of understanding, but there are a lot of things we do not understand and who are to complex to grasp and to get over with. Often we can’t make God out because He is beyond us. We sometimes can’t get His meaning or miss the point of what He says and does. The Spirit God seems difficult to grasp, but He is not so incomprehensible as we think. We just should concentrate more on the essentials of Him.

In the Book of Job we got an idea in what ways evil come to this earth and how evil people suffer as well (Job 15:14-16, 20-35). Failure comes to many. In the many speeches from chapters 3 to 37 we heard the flawless logic but wounding thrusts of those who insisted on the traditional theology that it was indisputable that God is almighty, perfectly just and that no human can be pure in Gods sight. On the other hand we have to face the problem of godly, just people who suffer. In this Book from the Book of Books the author can give us some encouragement by showing us that our suffering provides an occasion like no other for exemplifying what true godliness is for human beings. As in the other books of the Bible we can get a picture of righteous people who suffer ‘unjust’ but, though they have to fight against certain thoughts, still continue to go strong for their beloved Creator and His creation.

When we started this study of the Book of Job we mentioned the accuser of God. Satan, the adversary who brought a radical assault on God and godly people. When God called up the name of Job before the accuser and testified to his righteous, the Almighty is called a fool and His followers even more fools. Is it not that humans prefer to love the gifts of the Creator then the Creator Himself? It is up to men to proof that he not tries to pleases God merely for the sake of his benefits. Job did good things he told us, but not in the hope to get something in return. Are you “religious” and “good” because it pays? Do you want something in return for the good things you do?
That is an other subject tackled in the Book of Job. Which position do we as humans want to take in our life here on earth? How do we want to place ourselves against other people. How do we want to face the One from who we get all this around us? Job faced toward God with anguish, puzzlement, anger and bitter complaints. How do we want to look at our Creator? And when we do not hear our answers, at first, answered how can we cope with that seemingly silent Authority? but are we sure that this God, ruler of the universe, is really silent? We should know that He has given His Words to be with us every day. Most of the answers we have to know are handed over to us. We just have to grasp them. It is to us to take them at hand and to read them, to be able to hear them. So we cannot say God does not give the answers to us. He has given them already to all those who want to have them.

Only we do have to understand that we can not desire to get to know God thoroughly. Longing to know God is very good. But to read Him like a book is not possible. It is not so easy to have God taped in full. We cannot expect hat at the end of our life we shall know everything about God. It would be foolish wisdom to think that. We shall not be able to control everything, because that belongs to God. But He is willing to share parts of His knowledge with us. He is willing to give wisdom to His creatures. However Job’s experience makes bitterly clear to him that his friends “wisdom” cannot fathom the truth of his situation. No, the wisdom we can get does not bring the answers we would like to hear or see. Sometimes it can frustrate us. It can make us hungry. Wisdom and truth is discerned through hearing, just as the quality of food is discerned through tasting (Job 34:3). We better listen today to the Wisdom of God to get some ray of understanding some things and be  satisfied with what we already can get for answers at the moment. Patience is a good virtue. We should be pleased already that we can receive enough wisdom to comprehend those difficult creatures around us. And as we saw from the different answers of Job friends we do not always have to go by age, or by popularity. We always should remember that from these creaturely things, we as humans cannot learn all of God’s ways. And who are we mere human beings to to talk back to God? Does any object that is created riposte to its maker or will what is formed say to him who formed it, “why did you make me this way?” (Isaiah 29:16,45:9; Romans 9:20) “Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why didst thou make me thus?” (Romans 9:20 ASV)
Who in the world do we think we are to second-guess God? Do you for one moment suppose any of us knows enough to call God into question? Clay doesn’t talk back to the fingers that mould it, saying, “Why did you shape me like this?”
For us it is perhaps best to recognise who is the Superior and not to deny God above (Job 31:28), recognising also the fact that our time on earth is also just a temporarily situation, and that the man who responds submissively to God’s dealings with him will regain health and joy (Job 33:25-28) Yes the Book of Job sheds also a light on what we might expect after death. When we die we shall all land up in the grave, the oppressors and the oppressed, they all shall perish and we shall not be able to take anything of our wealth or fame into our grave, the place of  departure (Job 27:15-23; Psalm 164:4; Isaiah 38:18). For the wealthy as well as the poor, the happy as the sufferers it shall be be as the animals (Ecclesiastes 3:19-20) When God does not look at them any more, or His face is veiled, they shall be troubled; when He takes away their breath, they come to an end, and go back to the dust. “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; Thou {1} takest away their breath, they die, And return to their dust. {1) Or gatherest in}” (Psalms 104:29 ASV) “and the dust returneth to the earth as it was, and the spirit returneth unto God who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 ASV) Let us take Paul’s words into our hearth: “We speak wisdom, however, among them that are fullgrown: yet a wisdom not of this {1} world, nor of the rulers of this {1} world, who are coming to nought: {1) Or age; and so in verses 7, 8; but not in verse 12}” (1 Corinthians 2:6 ASV)
Job will pass the supreme test of all true godliness, namely, to live by the wisdom God had given him, having the fear of the Most High Jehovah God and to depart from evil (Job 28:28),  and acknowledging the limits of human wisdom. Are we prepared to be satisfied with the brain we got and with what it can cope?

Elihu repeatedly stated that the purpose of God’s speaking to a person in the way he described is to keep “his soul from the pit” (also Job 33:18, 22, 24, 28, 30). Thus he implies that Job’s suffering may be a corrective of his overall path rather than simply punishment for some hidden sin. Though God does not five a warning finger to Elihu we can find God answer in the rest of the Bible. God response to Job will include some vocabulary and references that are similar to portions of Elihu Barachel (meaning either “may God bless” or “God has blessed”) his speeches, but He does not commend either Elihu’s suggested reasons for Job’s suffering or his anger against Job.

Elihu had played on the words “spirit” and “breath” in his early speeches (see also Job 33:4; 34:14) in the way most likely to evoke Job’s earlier plea (Job 27:2–3) as he asserted his own right to speak. But he rightly let us know that God is the Spirit, and it is His breath, the live in Him that brings us His Words. It is this breath or  Holy “Spirit” which is the “power” that can enlighten us.

“For he (God) needeth not further to consider a man, That he should go before God in judgment.” (Job 34:23 ASV)  So God Almighty will not lay upon man more than right, that he should enter into judgement with God. Let us look at these words of the Lord of lords where He asks what evil or iniquity people have seen in Him that they have gone far from Him, and have walked after what is false,  worthless idols, worthlessness, vanity, and are become vain or become themselves nothings?
“thus saith Jehovah, What unrighteousness have your fathers found in me, that they are gone far from me, and have walked after vanity, and are become vain?” (Jeremiah 2:5 ASV)

***

Brenton Translation
1851 by Lancelot Brenton

Job Chapters 38-41

Job 38:1 And after Elius had ceased from speaking, the Lord spoke to Job through the whirlwind and clouds, [saying],
Job 38:2 Who is this that hides counsel from me, and confines words in [his] heart, and thinks to conceal [them] from me?

Job 38:3 Gird thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.
Job 38:4 Where wast thou when I founded the earth? tell me now, if thou hast knowledge,
Job 38:5 who set the measures of it, if thou knowest? or who stretched a line upon it?
Job 38:6 On what are its rings fastened? and who is he that laid the corner-stone upon it?

Job 38:7 When the stars were made, all my angels praised me with a loud voice.
Job 38:8 And I shut up the sea with gates, when it rushed out, coming forth out its mother’s womb.
Job 38:9 And I made a cloud its clothing, and swathed it in mist.
Job 38:10 And I set bounds to it, surrounding it with bars and gates.
Job 38:11 And I said to it, Hitherto shalt thou come, but thou shalt not go beyond, but thy waves shall be confined within thee.
Job 38:12 Or did I order the morning light in thy time; and [did] the morning star [then first] see his appointed place;
Job 38:13 to lay hold of the extremities of the earth, to cast out the ungodly out of it?

Job 38:14 Or didst thou take clay of the ground, and form a living creature, and set it with the power of speech upon the earth?
Job 38:15 And hast thou removed light from the ungodly, and crushed the arm of the proud?
Job 38:16 Or hast thou gone to the source of the sea, and walked in the tracks of the deep?
Job 38:17 And do the gates of death open to thee for fear; and did the porters of hell quake when they saw thee?
Job 38:18 And hast thou been instructed in the breadth of the [whole earth] under heaven? tell me now, what is the extent of it?
Job 38:19 And in what kind of a land does the light dwell? and of what kind is the place of darkness?
Job 38:20 If thou couldest bring me to their [utmost] boundaries, and if also thou knowest their paths;
Job 38:21 I know then that thou wert born at that time, and the number of thy years is great.

Job 38:22 But hast thou gone to the treasures of snow? and hast thou seen the treasures of hail?
Job 38:23 And is there a store [of them], for thee against the time of [thine] enemies, for the day of wars and battle?
Job 38:24 And whence proceeds the frost? or [whence] is the south wind dispersed over the [whole world] under heaven?

Job 38:25 And who prepared a course for the violent rain, and a way for the thunders;
Job 38:26 to rain upon the land where [there is] no man, the wilderness, where there is not a man in it; so as to feed the untrodden and uninhabited [land],
Job 38:27 and cause it to send forth a crop of green herbs?
Job 38:28 Who is the rain’s father? and who has generated the drops of dew?

Job 38:29 And out of whose womb comes the ice? and who has produced the frost in the sky,
Job 38:30 which descends like flowing water? who has terrified the face of the ungodly?

Job 38:31 And dost thou understand the band of Pleias, and hast thou opened the barrier of Orion?
Job 38:32 Or wilt thou reveal Mazuroth in his season, and the evening star with his rays? Wilt thou guide them?

Job 38:33 And knowest thou the changes of heaven, or the events which take place together under heaven?
Job 38:34 And wilt thou call a cloud with thy voice, and will it obey thee with a violent shower of much rain?
Job 38:35 And wilt thou send lightnings, and they shall go? and shall they say to thee, What is [thy pleasure]?

Job 38:36 And who has given to women skill in weaving, or knowledge of embroidery?
Job 38:37 And who is he that numbers the clouds in wisdom, and has bowed the heaven [down] to the earth?
Job 38:38 For it is spread out as dusty earth, and I have cemented it as one hewn stone to another.

Job 38:39 And wilt thou hunt a prey for the lions? and satisfy the desires of the serpents?
Job 38:40 For they fear in their lairs, and lying in wait couch in the woods.
Job 38:41 And who has prepared food for the raven? for its young ones wander and cry to the Lord, in search of food.

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Job 39:1 [Say] if thou knowest the time of the bringing forth of the wild goats of the rock, and [if] thou hast marked the calving of the hinds:
Job 39:2 and [if] thou has hast numbered the full months of their being with young, and [if] thou hast relieved their pangs:
Job 39:3 and hast reared their young without fear; and wilt thou loosen their pangs?
Job 39:4 Their young will break forth; they will be multiplied with offspring: [their young] will go forth, and will not return to them.

Job 39:5 And who is he that sent forth the wild ass free? and who loosed his bands?
Job 39:6 whereas I made his habitation the wilderness, and the salt land his coverts.

Job 39:7 He laughs to scorn the multitude of the city, and hears not the chiding of the tax-gatherer.
Job 39:8 He will survey the mountains [as] his pasture, and he seeks after every green thing.

Job 39:9 And will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or to lie down at thy manger?
Job 39:10 And wilt thou bind his yoke with thongs, or will he plough furrows for thee in the plain?
Job 39:11 And dost thou trust him, because his strength is great? and wilt thou commit thy works to him?
Job 39:12 And wilt thou believe that he will return to thee thy seed, and bring [it] in [to] thy threshing-floor?

Job 39:13 The peacock has a beautiful wing: if the stork and the ostrich conceive, [it is worthy of notice],
Job 39:14 for [the ostrich] will leave her eggs in the ground, and warm them on the dust,
Job 39:15 and has forgotten that the foot will scatter them, and the wild beasts of the field trample them.
Job 39:16 She has hardened [herself] against her young ones, as though [she bereaved] not herself: she labours in vain without fear.
Job 39:17 For God has withholden wisdom from her, and not given her a portion in understanding.
Job 39:18 In her season she will lift herself on high; she will scorn the horse and his rider.

Job 39:19 Hast thou invested the horse with strength, and clothed his neck with terror?
Job 39:20 And hast thou clad him in perfect armour, and made his breast glorious with courage?
Job 39:21 He paws exulting in the plain, and goes forth in strength into the plain.
Job 39:22 He laughs to scorn a king as he meets him, and will by no means turn back from the sword.
Job 39:23 The bow and sword resound against him; and [his] rage will swallow up the ground:
Job 39:24 and he will not believe until the trumpet sounds.
Job 39:25 And when the trumpet sounds, he says, Aha! and afar off he smells the war with prancing and neighing.

Job 39:26 And does the hawk remain steady by thy wisdom, having spread out her wings unmoved, looking toward the region of the south?
Job 39:27 And does the eagle rise at thy command, and the vulture remain sitting over his nest,
Job 39:28 on a crag of a rock, and in a secret [place]?
Job 39:29 Thence he seeks food, his eyes observe from far.
Job 39:30 And his young ones roll themselves in blood, and wherever the carcasses may be, immediately they are found.

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Job 40:1 (39:31) And the Lord God answered Job, and said,
Job 40:2 (39:32) Will [any one] pervert judgment with the Mighty One? and he that reproves God, let him return it for answer.

Job 40:3 (39:33) And Job answered and said to the Lord,
Job 40:4 (39:34) Why do I yet plead? being rebuked even while reproving the Lord: hearing such things, whereas I am nothing: and what shall I answer to these [arguments]? I will lay my hand upon my mouth.
Job 40:5 (39:35) I have spoken once; but I will not do so a second time.

Job 40:6 (40:1) And the Lord yet again answered and spoke to Job out of the cloud, [saying],

Job 40:7 (40:2) Nay, gird up now thy loins like a man; and I will ask thee, and do thou answer me.
Job 40:8 (40:3) Do not set aside my judgment: and dost thou think that I have dealt with thee in any other way, than that thou mightest appear to be righteous?

Job 40:9 (40:4) Hast thou an arm like the Lord’s? or dost thou thunder with a voice like his?
Job 40:10 (40:5) Assume now a lofty bearing and power; and clothe thyself with glory and honour.
Job 40:11 (40:6) And send forth messengers with wrath; and lay low every haughty one.
Job 40:12 (40:7) Bring down also the proud man; and consume at once the ungodly.
Job 40:13 (40:8) And hide them together in the earth; and fill their faces with shame.
Job 40:14 (40:9) [Then] will I confess that thy right hand can save [thee].

Job 40:15 (40:10) But now look at the wild beasts with thee; they eat grass like oxen.
Job 40:16 (40:11) Behold now, his strength is in his loins, and his force is in the navel of his belly.
Job 40:17 (40:12) He sets up his tail like a cypress; and his nerves are wrapped together.
Job 40:18 (40:13) His sides are sides of brass; and his backbone is [as] cast iron.

Job 40:19 (40:14) This is the chief of the creation of the Lord; made to be played with by his angels.
Job 40:20 (40:15) And when he has gone up to a steep mountain, he causes joy to the quadrupeds in the deep.

Job 40:21 (40:16) He lies under trees of every kind, by the papyrus, and reed, and bulrush.
Job 40:22 (40:17) And the great trees make a shadow over him with their branches, and [so do] the bushes of the field.
Job 40:23 (40:18) If there should be a flood, he will not perceive it; he trust that Jordan will rush up into his mouth.
Job 40:24 (40:19) [Yet one] shall take him in his sight; [one] shall catch [him] with a cord, and pierce his nose.

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Job 41:1 (40:20) But wilt thou catch the serpent with a hook, and put a halter about his nose?
Job 41:2 (40:21) Or wilt thou fasten a ring in his nostril, and bore his lip with a clasp?
Job 41:3 (40:22) Will he address thee with a petition? softly, with the voice of a suppliant?
Job 41:4 (40:23) And will he make a covenant with thee? and wilt thou take him for a perpetual servant?
Job 41:5 (40:24) And wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or bind him as a sparrow for a child?
Job 41:6 (40:25) And do the nations feed upon him, and the nations of the Phoenicians share him?

Job 41:7 (40:26) And all the ships come together would not be able to bear the mere skin of his tail; neither [shall they carry] his head in fishing-vessels.
Job 41:8 (40:27) But thou shalt lay thy hand upon him [once], remembering the war that is waged by his mouth; and let it not be done any more.

Job 41:9 (41:0) Hast thou not seen him? and hast thou not wondered at the things said [of him]?
Job 41:10 (41:1) Dost thou not fear because preparation has been made by me? for who is there that resists me?

Job 41:11 (41:2) Or who will resist me, and abide, since the whole [world] under heaven is mine?

Job 41:12 (41:3) I will not be silent because of him: though because of his power [one] shall pity his antagonist.

Job 41:13 (41:4) Who will open the face of his garment? and who can enter within the fold of his breastplate?
Job 41:14 (41:5) Who will open the doors of his face? terror is round about his teeth.
Job 41:15 (41:6) His inwards are as brazen plates, and the texture of his [skin] as a smyrite stone.
Job 41:16 (41:7) One [part] cleaves fast to another, and the air cannot come between them.
Job 41:17 (41:8) They will remain united each to the other: they are closely joined, and cannot be separated.

Job 41:18 (41:9) At his sneezing a light shines, and his eyes are [as] the appearance of the morning star.
Job 41:19 (41:10) Out of his mouth proceed as it were burning lamps, and as it were hearths of fire are cast abroad.
Job 41:20 (41:11) Out of his nostrils proceeds smoke of a furnace burning with fire of coals.
Job 41:21 (41:12) His breath is [as] live coals, and a flame goes out of his mouth.
Job 41:22 (41:13) And power is lodged in his neck, before him destruction runs.
Job 41:23 (41:14) The flesh also of his body is joined together: [if one] pours [violence] upon him, he shall not be moved.
Job 41:24 (41:15) His heart is firm as a stone, and it stands like an unyielding anvil.
Job 41:25 (41:16) And when he turns, [he is] a terror to the four-footed wild beasts which leap upon the earth.

Job 41:26 (41:17) If spears should come against him, [men] will effect nothing, [either with] the spear or the breast-plate.
Job 41:27 (41:18) For he considers iron as chaff, and brass as rotten wood.
Job 41:28 (41:19) The bow of brass shall not would him, he deems a slinger as grass.
Job 41:29 (41:20) Mauls are counted as stubble; and he laughs to scorn the waving of the firebrand.
Job 41:30 (41:21) His lair is [formed of] sharp points; and all the gold of the sea under him is an immense [quantity of] clay.

Job 41:31 (41:22) He makes the deep boil like a brazen caldron; and he regards the sea as a pot of ointment,
Job 41:32 (41:23) and the lowest part of the deep as a captive: he reckons the deep as [his] range.

Job 41:33 (41:24) There is nothing upon the earth like to him, formed to be sported with by my angels.
Job 41:34 (41:25) He beholds every high thing: and he is king of all that are in the waters.

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Job 42:1 Then Job answered and said to the Lord,
Job 42:2 I know that thou canst do all things, and nothing is impossible with thee.
Job 42:3 For who is he that hides counsel from thee? or who keeps back his words, and thinks to hide them from thee? and who will tell me what I knew not, great and wonderful things which I understood not?
Job 42:4 But hear me, O Lord, that I also may speak: and I will ask thee, and do thou teach me.
Job 42:5 I have heard the report of thee by the ear before; but now mine eye has seen thee.
Job 42:6 Wherefore I have counted myself vile, and have fainted: and I esteem myself dust and ashes.

Job 42:7 And it came to pass after the Lord had spoken all these words to Job, [that] the Lord said to Eliphaz the Thaemanite, Thou hast sinned, and thy two friends: for ye have not said anything true before me, as my servant Job [has].
Job 42:8 Now then take seven bullocks, and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and he shall offer a burnt-offering for you. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will only accept him: for but his sake, I would have destroyed you, for ye have not spoken the truth against my servant Job.
Job 42:9 So Eliphaz the Thaemanite, and Baldad the Sauchite, and Sophar the Minaean, went and did as the Lord commanded them: and he pardoned their sin for the sake of Job.

Job 42:10 And the Lord prospered Job: and when he prayed also for his friends, he forgave them [their] sin: and the Lord gave Job twice as much, even the double of what he had before.
Job 42:11 And all his brethren and his sisters heard all that had happened to him, and they came to him, and [so did] all that had known him from the first: and they ate and drank with him, and comforted him, and wondered at all that the Lord had brought upon him: and each one gave him a lamb, and four drachms’ weight of gold, even of unstamped [gold].

Job 42:12 And the Lord blessed the latter end of Job, [more] than the beginning: and his cattle were fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, a thousand she-asses of the pastures.
Job 42:13 And there were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
Job 42:14 And he called the first Day, and the second Casia, and the third Amalthaea’s horn.
Job 42:15 And there were not found in comparison with the daughters of Job, fairer [women] than they in all the world: and their father gave them an inheritance among their brethren.

Job 42:16 And Job lived after [his] affliction a hundred and seventy years: and all the years he lived were two hundred and forty: and Job saw his sons and his sons’ sons, the fourth generation.
Job 42:17 And Job died, an old man and full of days: (42:17A) and it is written that he will rise again with those whom the Lord raises up. (42:17B) This man is described in the Syriac book [as] living in the land of Ausis, on the borders of Idumea and Arabia: and his name before was Jobab; (42:17C) and having taken an Arabian wife, he begot a son whose name was Ennon. And he himself was the son of his father Zare, one of the sons of Esau, and of his mother Bosorrha, so that he was the fifth from Abraam. (42:17D) And these were the kings who reigned in Edom, which country he also ruled over: first, Balac, the son of Beor, and the name of his city was Dennaba: but after Balac, Jobab, who is called Job, and after him Asom, who was governor out of the country of Thaeman: and after him Adad, the son of Barad, who destroyed Madiam in the plain of Moab; and the name of his city was Gethaim. (42:17E) And [his] friends who came to him were Eliphaz, of the children of Esau, king of the Thaemanites, Baldad sovereign of the Sauchaeans, Sophar king of the Minaeans.

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Continues: Fragments from the Book of Job #7 Epilogue

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“For He will not lay upon man more than right, that he should enter into judgment with God.” (Job 34:23 KJ21)

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Note:

The Holy Spirit is the Author of Scripture; therefore the Word of God is inseparable from the Spirit of God. God is Spirit and the Holy spirit is not on other entity, it is the Power of God itself. The Scriptures introduce the reader to the Holy Spirit and the Spirit applies the truths of the Word to the hearts of the reader. Scripture must be interpreted in the immediate context of personal prayer. The Bible promises over and over that when we seek God, he will be found. The same is true if we seek his power. The “knowledge of God” is an essential feature of Christian attainment, according to the apostolic standard. Those “who know not God” are among those whom vengeance is to overtake (2 Thessalonians 1: 8). Knowledge of God is the basis of sonship to God. Without it, we cannot enter the divine family. How can we love and serve a being whom we do not know? Knowledge is the foundation of all. It is the rock upon which everlasting life itself is built. “This is life eternal, that they might know Thee, The Only True God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 27: 3).

Prayer is the medium that brings individuals into contact with the same Spirit who inspired the writers of the Bible. To hear what the Spirit of the Only One God is saying through the Word you must encounter God through prayer. Prayer is the means that we must use to understand the Word of God. Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit in prayer, our Bible study will be in vain. Let us ask for the Spirit to speak to us through the Word.

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