March 15, 2022 

 An article this morning in Slate by Abraham Riesman had an interesting reflection on Job, based on a new translation that comes up with something different for the lines that the King James Version renders as “Wherefore I abhor myself / and repent in dust and ashes.’” The new translation by Edward L. Greenstein draws on the fact that the only other time “dust and ashes” appears in the Bible is when Abraham argued with God about Sodom, so he translates it as 

That is why I am fed up: 

I take pity on “dust and ashes” [humanity]! 

 Riesman finds it wonderful that God rewards Job for speaking the truth. As a Christian, this is even more wonderful as it points to the viewpoint of God Himself who so will demonstrate how much he takes pity on “dust and ashes” by clothing Himself in them to save it.