The Book of Job is a poetic book included in the Old Testament. As its authors are not specified, the date of writing is not clear as well. It describes Job, a prosperous man who has wealth and a lot of children. However, Job is an obedient and generous man; he feels contempt to inequity, heathenry, and lie. Nevertheless, when Satan comes to God and asks his permission to test the Job’s loyalty and faith, God agrees, and the devil takes away Job’s wealth, children, and health. When Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad, come, they persuade Job to repent his errors as God punishes only sinners and helps righteous people.
Despite the friends’ suasions, Job refuses to repent or curse God as he does not view himself as a person who perpetrated outrages. Although he immeasurably suffers, he continues to believe in God’s just. The fourth friend, Elihu, suggests that God knows better about everything, and Job should stay devoted and trust His actions. At the end of the Book, God explains to Job that every creature in the world has its mission, only He knows the reason of all events, and people should unquestionably trust their God as loyalty is above all (Fox 2018, 7). For his loyalty, Job was awarded health, more children, wealth, and long life.
The Book of Job teaches religious people that the devil cannot destroy anyone physically or financially without God’s permission. It also demonstrates that people cannot see, understand, or explain why people suffer all over the world (Rosner 2015, 285). However, their struggling is not only the result of sins, as there are a substantial number of righteous people who currently experience substantial issues.
The Book of Job destroys the traditional logical orthodox theory that explains suffering by people’s sins. Sufferings are frequently essential as they help to learn, strengthen and purify the soul. In any circumstances of life, people should stay devoted to God, pray, and believe in His sovereignty. The Book reminds its readers that they should trust the Lord even when they do not understand the reasons for events as He is perfect.
From a personal perspective, Job was treated fairly by God. Despite all Satan’s accusations that Job’s godliness is non-genuine and egoistic, the man proved that his faith, devotion, trust, and love to God do not depend on his Lord’s presents in his life, such as family, wealth, and health. Job’s test was painful, however, the godly sufferer passed it honorably and was fairly rewarded by just God. It goes without saying that the Lord should be fair, and He is fair regardless of the people’s understanding.
The world presents the interrelatedness of people, all living creatures, and events. While individuals cannot apprehend the reasons for proceedings, especially tragic events, such as catastrophes, natural disasters, or terrorist acts that cause the deaths of innocent people, God knows that all people have their mission. The world is too huge for the understanding of one person, a group of people, or all mankind. What people should do is to trust in the Lord’s wisdom and love to them.
Personally, I was substantively impressed by the Book of Job when I read it as an adult. Frankly speaking, I frequently do not understand why people, especially children, die in airplane crashes as I do not believe they all are sinners. Fortunately, the Book gave me answers on certain questions and taught me to accept current developments with humility.
Reference List
Fox, Michael V. 2018. “The Meanings of the Book of Job.” Journal of Biblical Literature 137(1): 7-18. Web.
Rosner, David J. 2015. “Self-Deception and Cosmic Disorder in the Book of Job.” Cosmos and History: The Journal of Natural and Social Philosophy 11(1): 285-298. Web.