The Book of Job is part of the Old Testament portion of the Christian Bible and an integral part of the Hebrew Bible – the sacred set of books used by Jews. It is one of the very few books in the Bible where little is known of the author or the main character. In this case there is very little information regarding Job except for the fact that he is married, had children, and appeared to be wealthy. But the story of Job is very popular because it provides insight into human suffering. Moreover, his story is made more intriguing by the fact that God had an indirect role in making him suffer yet at the end restored him to his former stature. His life is a good illustration of an element of justice called conflicting claims and how it was resolved through a disposition by a supernatural entity.
Background
From the limited information that can be gleaned from the book, it can be ascertained that Job is married and had seven sons and three daughters. He was a man of great stature according to Scriptures and a well-known figure in that part of the world. But this is not the most important aspect of Job’s life. The most crucial aspect of Job’s life concerns his righteousness before the eyes of God. Even the Almighty praised him and exclaimed that there is no one on earth like Job, his upright and blameless servant (Job 1:8). His righteousness is in fact the reason why he lived a blessed life.
It is not hard to understand why Job had received all the good things that a man will long for in this world. He was careful in obeying God and not only that he interceded in behalf of his family. He offered prayers and sacrifices for them so that the Lord will continually find favor in them. But what is difficult to understand is how everything was taken away from him in a blink of an eye. There was no logical explanation why he was visited with calamity upon calamity that destroyed his family, killing all his sons and daughters while reducing him to penury. The following will illustrate the phenomenon of conflicting claims as seen in the life of Job.
Conflicting Claims
Job experienced the severity of conflicting claims through the handiwork of Satan, a wicked angel who seem to have limited power to cause destruction and human suffering. After God made known his pleasure regarding the remarkable behavior of one man Satan made a counter-argument that the only reason why Job was upright is that God is blessing him causing him to amass great fortune and raise up a large and healthy family. Satan then challenged God that he can prove his claim if he be given a free hand to destroy his livelihood and wreck havoc in the areas of Job’s life that meant so much to him.
Upon receiving the go signal from God Satan visited Job and his family (Job 1:13-19).The first thing that Satan did was to make Job’s enemies grow bold and murdered his servants while at the same time the bandits took off with his livestock. On the other part of his domain, natural calamities destroyed both sheep and the servants who tended them. While this was happening another band of raiders came down to steal his camels. But the most terrible news is yet to come. At last the final messenger came and told him that his sons and daughters were killed when the house they were in collapsed and killed them all.
A surprising thing had occurred; Job did not sin against God by cursing him. Instead he humbled himself and acknowledged the greatness of God by praising him. This led Satan to challenge God anew and told him that Job is still faithful because the most precious thing of in Job’s life was not yet taken away from him. Satan said that Job will give anything to preserve his flesh and bones – his life and his health. God gave Satan the authority to torment Job and this time the dark angel did not pull punches. Satan afflicted Job with painful sores that can be seen from the soles of his feet to the top of his head (Job 1:4-8). But this is simply the beginning.
Job’s life is about to become more miserable. His wife who suffered beside him could not take it any longer. She mocked him for being a martyr and told him that it is better to give it all up and curse God and hope that the Almighty will respond by striking him dead (Job 1:9). Job was definitely at his lowest point when his choices are limited to cursing God, death, and rapidly deteriorating health.
Resolution
Job had every right to be angry because he played by the rules and still he was made to suffer in the penalty box – it is so unfair. But instead of reviling God and cursing his name Job patiently inquired why he had to suffer and why the heaven and earth was unjust to him. Job decided to speak to the Almighty and to argue his case before God (Job 13:3). In final defense Job declared his innocence (Job 31: 1-39). Job poured out his heart to God and reminded him that he did not steal, did not lust after other women, that he did not deceive anyone or treated anyone unkindly. In short he is a righteous man.
God answered Job from a whirlwind (Job 38:1). As everyone knows God could not reveal to Job the exact reason why he had allowed him to suffer. If God will reveal why he had to go through trials and tribulations then it will negate the purpose of the test. God would like to win in the little contest that he had started with the Devil. Thus, he could not elaborate on the matter. But God had to answer Job. He was able to do this by showing Job that the Almighty is justified in his actions.
He began to make Job understand the extent of his power. He took Job to a crash course in astronomy, geology, biology, physics and zoology. God said that he is the one who made the earth and not just only made it but design it so that it will work perfectly. He elaborated on this by saying that laws were established so that chaos will not be a part of the earth’s design. God revealed further that the night and day are following a pattern that he had designed before the beginning of human history. God also revealed that he established order in the skies and oceans so that everything will work beautifully and perfectly well.
If that was not enough to terrify Job, God began to show Job that he is also the master of all creatures. He is the one who provided for the beasts of the earth and his power makes them majestic. In short God is telling Job to be observant and so he will realize that if the lion is fierce then how terrifying is the creator? If the horse is strong then how mighty is its God? If the eagle can soar so high up in the clouds the how majestic is the one who gave the raptor its wings? If the animals are able to display their beauty, then how much more God, the one who created everything? The resolution was made through the disposition of a supernatural entity. In this case it is the God of Job.
Outcome
Before God acted on behalf of Job’s case he first asked him if he has exercised justice. And Job could do nothing but praise him. Job said that before all of these had happened to him he knew very little of God. But now Job can claim that he has seen him (Job 42:5). Job can now say that he has a more intimate knowledge about God and this made him feel all the more unworthy in the presence of the Most High. Instead of getting emboldened by God speaking to him, Job bowed even lower and repented for his audacity to question God’s justice.
After the resolution of conflicting claims God made Job’s tormentors to pay for what they had done to Job. This was made possible by ordering them to make an expensive sacrifice of seven bulls and seven rams (Job 42:7). After God allowed Job the satisfaction of being vindicated he made a way for Job to start all over again. His relatives came to console him and each of them gave him silver and gold. One can presume that this small fortune that Job received was used to rebuild his life. At the end God made Job more prosperous than ever before. He restored everything that Satan took away from him.
He had more livestock – the symbol of wealth in ancient times – and he also had seven sons and three daughters. He was able to live a long and prosperous life while his descendants continued to enjoy his success even if he was already dead. This was made possible by the inheritance that he prepared for his children.
Conclusion
It was hard for Job to understand the reason why he had to suffer and to lose everything, as if he was a terrible sinner deserving of all the punishment that was heap on him. It was hard for him to accept his fate because all his life he strived to do what is right. While others continued to live a life of sin, Job desired for righteousness and was never found guilty of lust, greed, and pride. He was careful to do everything to please God and then without warning everything was taken away from him.
Job did not curse God and he did not get angry at the Almighty. Still, his suffering forced him to at least ask God why a righteous had to suffer. At the latter part of the story God answered Job. But he did not make it known to Job that there is a purpose for all of that suffering. But God did not apologize to Job either. He asked him why he was so fearless in questioning the motives of God. But when he showed his splendor to Job, he was left speechless and Job began to understand that God is God and there is nothing like him.