Seven Exegetical Works

The Prayer of Job and David (De interpellatione Iob et David)

THE PRAYER OF JOB AND DAVID (De interpellatione Job et David) INTRODUCTION IjMBROSE'S SERIES OF SERMONS The Prayer of Job and ~. David1 exhibits considerable uncertainty both as to date and internal arrangement. References to the destruction of the statues of an emperor2 and to an unidentified heretic3 are too general to aid in the dating, but the period 387-389 seems probable.4 The problem of determining the proper order of the four individual books is still more complex.5 Manuscripts are in disagreement; many editions print that part of the work designated here as Book IV in the second position, and place Books II and III in third and fourth place, respectively. The arrangement followed in this book is that of Karl Schenkl in the Corpus scriptorum ecclesiasticorum latinorum (CSEL) text,6 the text on which the translation is based. In any case, there does not seem to be any doubt that these sermons were in fact preached. Both the absolute number and the proportion of biblical quotations throughout the work are so large as almost to preclude any other major source, although a very few Vergilian 1 On the work in general, see Dudden 687; Palanque 446, 520-22. 2 Cf. 3.8.24. 3 Cf. 2.4.16. 4 Dudden (687) suggests 388-389, which is accepted most recently by Paredi (438). Palanque (520-22) supplies a fine discussion of the problem, with stress on the uncertainties involved; he is inclined to a very tentative date of 387, on the basis of resemblances between this work and another sermon of Ambrose. 5 See the introductions of Schenkl, CSEL 32.2, pp. III-V, and of Migne, PL 14.793-98. See also U. Moricca, Storia della letteratura latina cristiana 2.1 pp. 393-94, for a well-reasoned defense of the order followed in PL (viz. I, IV, II, III), as opposed to Schenkl's order, followed here. 6 Volume 32.2, pp. 209-296. 327 328 SAINT AMBROSE reminiscences appear,7 and Ambrose relies; as· so often, on Philo for the interpretation of both personal and geographical names. Books I and II are based on the book of Job; Book III is in effect a commentary on Psalm 72 (73)" while Book IV relies most heavily on Psalms 41 (42) and 42 (43). Consideration of the problem of evil appears as a prominent theme throughout. Ambrose's own penchant for textual analysis is occasionally revealed.8 Erasmus denied the authenticity of Book IV on stylistic grounds, but his view has not met with acceptance.9 The Prayer of Job and David, not one of Ambrose's more influential works, has apparently not received published translation into any la'nguage. 7 At 2.4.15; 4.9.32; 4.10.36, all noted also at their appropriate positions in the notes to the text. The first two cases involve minor verbal resemblances; there is more substance to the parallel at 4.10.36. 8 Cf. especially 4.6.24. 9 See Schenkl, CSEL 32.2, p. III. BOOK ONE THE PRAYER OF JOB AND THE WEAKNESS OF MAN (GJ0D'S SCRIPTURE elVES PROOF in numerous passages that man must undergo many disturbances in this life and also that many consolations are at hand. With these, a spirit of sufficient vigor and awareness of the right should overcome present discomforts and look to those things that promise everlasting joy. The consolations do indeed outweigh the discomforts, because they impart calm in present difficulties and the hope of things to come. For this reason also the Apostle Paul says, "The sufferings of the present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come."l They are indeed unworthy of comparison with the consolation, not to speak of the fruit of the redemption. (1.2) For how is anyone's life on earth so fine that it could equal such heavenly glory? Is anything more sublime than the life of Paul? He endured so many dangers and overcame such great trouble and so many weaknesses. In those sufferings which he endured for the name of Christ, he died daily, as he himself says,2 and he judged that in this time he was bearing nothing unworthy in view of his hope and expectation of such great glory. Elias suffered hunger and treachery and fears of death and bitter toil. Yet he alone was conveyed...