I have to admit. When I started this chronological reading of the Bible, one of the books I was least looking forward to reading was Job (Numbers and Leviticus are also high on the list of "not excited for reading). I figured I knew the story of Job, and wasn't looking forward to having to read over 30 chapters of friends telling Job that he wa a horrible sinner. Or at least, thats what I assumed the book was about.
Before I get too far into my summary...here are my favourite verses from the book:
13:15-Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defendmy ways to his face.
16:19- Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.
28:28- The fear of the Lord-that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding
31:10-May my wife grind another man's grain... (You gotta love that innuendo there!)
32:8-9- But it is the spirit in a man, the breath of the Almighty that gives him understanding. It is not only the old who are wise, not only the aged who understand what is right.
33:14- For God does speak-now one way, now another-though man may not perceive it
Turns out, Job is a fascinating book, filled with lots of wisdom (from unlikely sources sometimes), and deep theological ad philosophical questions. It doesn't have the intense narrative of books like Joshua, Genesis or Judges...but the story is incredible all the same. But as I was reading it, I coudln't help but try to figure out how the early readers interpreted the story. Because, for a short time, Job was the only scripture that people. So...with that in mind, what does the book of Job say about God?
1) God is in complete control. Even considering the theological complications of Satan approaching the throne of God, making a request of God, and having God ACCEPT the request...God is still in control of the whole situation. He makes rules of Satan (such as, don't touch or kill Job), and Satan stays within the parameters. Satan ma have been the one conducting the experiment, but God was the one overseeing that the experiment was done fairly.
2) God allows suffering. I think it's pretty obvious in the book of Job that God allows his followers, the righteous and upright, to suffer. Having a relationship with God doesn't guarantee and easy life (in fact, it seems as if, the more upright you are, the more struggles you will have as Satan tries to trip you up). But through all the suffering, it's important to remember that God is in control.
3) God is CREATOR. Remember, Job was likely written before the Genesis account, so when God describes creation, THAT was the original creation account. No...God didn't describe HOW he did it, because, frankly, it didn't matter. God just wanted to remind (or perhaps tell) Job that HE created the world. HE created everything, from the silly ostrich, to the raven, to the Leviathan. God is amazing, and God has a plan.
and 4) God doesn't always explain why. This one is tough to hear. We have this idea in our head that God will, ultimately, in the end, explain to us why certain things happen. The truth is...he may not. Yes, if our beliefs about heaven are right, then when we get there we will know everything and therefore we will understand why things happen, but I am referring to life here and now, while we are alive. God never explained to Job why he went through hell. God didn't say, "oh, by the way...it was all a test and you passed". Instead, God says..."Look around you at wat I created! I'm in control...relax!". And to make things more amazing...Job accepts that! Job doesn't demand an answer, he is ok with not knowing. Now, we feel that God owes us explanations. "God, why did you allow 9/11 to happen?", "God, why is there the famine in Africa?", "God, why do the Leafs suck so much?". God may explain himself...but the reality is, he probably won't (and more importantly, he doesn't have to).
The book of Job also surprised me with it's wit, sarcasm and innuendo. Both Job and God give the occasional sarcastic remark. I love that. I've always been taught that sarcasm is rude...and perhaps it is, but I can always go to scripture to show that, at least in some circumstances, sarcasm is ok!
Job leaves a lot of questions unanswered however:
-Why was Satan in the presence of God to begin with?
-What did Job believe about heaven...was he a universalist?
-Is the book of Job true, or is it a myth? And...does it matter either way?
-Who the heck is Elihu, and why does he appear out of no-where and then disappear into thin air?
-Does God truly bless the righteous and punish the wicked?
I may never learn the answers to these questions...but I'm ok with that. Overall, I was surprised with how much I enjoyed Job, and how much underlining I did in my Bible. It gives me perspective on my life, and the trials and tribulations that I have been through, and will go through. What is your thought on the book of Job? What life lessons did you learn, or what insights did it give you?
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