Book of Job

[ronhmason]

Can someone please explain the Book of Job to me. It’s so hard for me to believe that God allowed the devil to cause so much grief to Job just to prove that Job would stay loyal to God. I’m hoping somebody will tell me that this book is for illustrative purposes or something like that. I have been familiar with the book of Job for a long, long time but just read it within the past couple of weeks and am struggling to make sense of it.
Thanks for your help,
Ron

 

[The_Fly]

Yes in the book of Job the Devil actually does nothing except propose something God already knows is a lie. Everything that happens to Job comes from the Hand of God and the book illustrates that you should take everything that happens to you as being from Divine Providence because it is. This is why Job says; the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away, blessed be the name of the Lord. Notice how Job doesnt say the Lord giveth and the devil taketh away.

**“I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil: I the Lord that do all these things”. --Isaiah 45:7

“Good and evil, life and death, poverty and riches, are from the LORD” – Sirach 11:14**

USCCB note for sircach states:

Divine Providence ultimately governs the lives of men. Evil: misfortune and calamity sent by God either in punishment or as an incentive to repentance or to greater virtue.

 

[yosephdaviyd]

Can someone please explain the Book of Job to me. It’s so hard for me to believe that God allowed the devil to cause so much grief to Job just to prove that Job would stay loyal to God. I’m hoping somebody will tell me that this book is for illustrative purposes or something like that. I have been familiar with the book of Job for a long, long time but just read it within the past couple of weeks and am struggling to make sense of it.
Thanks for your help,
Ron

Hi Ron

Hopefully God allows Satan to tempt you everyday as well so that you can become stronger and learn how to freely and consistently turn from evil and do good, otherwise the end your ‘Our Father’ prayer doesn’t make any sense.

A recent blog of mine doesn’t address Job specifically, but address the related point that the responder above was referring to concerning God’s perfect will. davidlgray.info/blog/?p=456

Shalom,

 

[GloriousOrder]

God did not allow the evil one to test Job just to “prove something”, my friend! Our blessed Lord can eliminate Satan from existence by one simple act of His will. God is the Father of all lights, all living things, and all creation. His very will is that things should be, that reality should exist. This being is so majestic in charity that He even allows the rebels to live in His beautiful creation - for even corrupted things that exist are still real, still true. As much as Satan wishes to thrash and attack God’s holy creation, it remains for all time. He does not kill or destroy. What He makes is made, and we must deal with that.

Job’s story is meant to enlighten us and give US strength. Satan is an afterthought. Let him be damned!

 

[ronhmason]

Thank you all so much for helping me understand this Book. Surely there are others who struggle as much as I do, if not more, to understand these things. Maybe some day through prayer and study I’ll be able to figure out some of the mysteries in the Bible through the grace of God.
God Bless You All
Ron

 

[JonathonofOhio]

This article about Job on newadvent.org should be a big help to you:

newadvent.org/cathen/08413a.htm

It was common for people at that time to think that pain and suffering was a result of sin, and the pain and suffering was a visible sign that God was pouring his wrath out on that person because of some sin they supposedly committed. The book of Job demonstrates this is not true, and Jesus clarified what the Book of Job teaches us (see: John 9).

The book also demonstrates that whoever perseveres to the end, and remains steadfast in their faith, and does not turn from the Truth during difficult times, God will reward and restore their life. Jesus refers again to Job when talking about his second coming in Matthew 24 and Luke 17. Where the carcass is, the eagles will gather if from Job 39:27-30.

 

[The_Fly]

No problem Ron,

I think one of the best things the book of Job can help Christians understand along with what has been stated above is that there is no duality in powers between God and Satan. Satan can only do what God permits Him to do and so we see that Satan is truly powerless and therefore we should not fear him but face his lies and temptations knowing that God is in control. All we need to do is stick with God and we will always be victorious and we will always be happy.

As a good priest once put it: “To join team Satan is to join a team that has already lost”

 

[Peggy_in_Burien]

Thanks!

 

[Barbkw]

usccb.org/nab/bible/job/intro.htm

The USCCB NAB Introductory page reads that:

The Book of Job, named after its protagonist, is an exquisite dramatic poem which treats of the problem of the suffering of the innocent, and of retribution.

The contents of the book, together with its artistic structure and elegant style, place it among the literary masterpieces of all time.

The author of the book is not known; it was composed some time between the seventh and fifth centuries B.C.

Its literary form, with speeches, prologue and epilogue disposed according to a studied plan, indicates that the purpose of the writing is didactic.

The lesson is that even the just may suffer here, and their sufferings are a test of their fidelity. They shall be rewarded in the end.

Man’s finite mind cannot probe the depths of the divine omniscience that governs the world.

The problems we encounter can be solved by a broader and deeper awareness of God’s power, presence (Job 42:5) and wisdom.

usccb.org/nab/bible/job/intro.htm

 

[Barbkw]

ancienthistory.about.com/od/dterms/g/102209DidacticPoetry.htm

Definition:

Didactic Poetry is instructional poetry. The poet expected the reader to learn skills, science, philosophy, love, crafts, etc. from the didactic verses.

Hesiod is considered the first didactic poet.

Didactic poetry was usually written in the dactylic hexameters of epic poetry, even when the purpose was humorous.

It was not considered its own genre.

The word didactic comes from the Greek verb didaskein “to teach”.

 

[lauraabarlow]

Hi-just a theory-Job is my hero-he stood strong during satan’s attacks and stayed true to God. God already knew and had faith in Job and his genuine friendship with Him-just wanted to show satan that Job is strong and will not forsake Him (God) despite satan’s worst attacks on him (Job). For me personally, being unemployed nearly a year, a single mom of three with two having autism (one is extremely high-functioning and in regular ed) and struggling to make ends meet, plus down on my luck-Job and his faith despite hardships was my inspiration. My problems doesn’t even compare to him-and believe me, he inspired me more than you think. When things are tough, I just think of Job and find strength to press on. I think God’s purpose for allowing bad things to happen to good people like Job was because God already saw in Job’s heart his character and to that satan will lose-God knew Job and everything. So that is my theory-and Job won in the end, satan lost.

 

[laszlo]

My reading for th Book of Job is the same as the teaching of the prophets: God is the Absolute ruler, we had to trust Him unconditionally. Also the book teaches that the earthly life has very small value.