Behold, I am of small account

The more I read An Essay on Man, the more it amazes me. Pope seems to give this convoluted defense of God--essentially saying that man could not handle understanding all that happens in the world. It reminds me of when God speaks in Job; he does not give him an explanation, but instead asks Job more questions. This always used to frustrate me. I was honestly disappointed that God did not explain Himself more fully. Pope’s writings, however, rearrange my thought process to see the Lord’s answer as being so incredibly beautiful. But how is this, you ask?

When the proud steed shall know why man restrains

His fiery course, or drives him o'er the plains:

When the dull ox, why now he breaks the clod,

Is now a victim, and now Egypt's God:

Then shall man's pride and dulness comprehend

His actions', passions', being's, use and end;

Why doing, suff'ring, check'd, impell'd; and why

This hour a slave, the next a deity.

Then say not man's imperfect, Heav'n in fault;

Say rather, man's as perfect as he ought:

His knowledge measur'd to his state and place;

His time a moment, and a point his space.

Why don’t we understand things more fully? Because we couldn’t handle it; it would be too much for us. We are as perfect as we ought to be, we have our place, and we must accept it. Our pride causes us to think that we deserve answers--but do we?

As Pope says, the world was not created for us. And so I cover my mouth as Job did, realizing the power and perfect comprehension God has over all creation, and trusting in Him. It gives me a strange sense of comfort.

--Danielle

And I commented on Lucy Beth's.