Why should we read the book of job today Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Why should we read the book of job today - Essay ExampleMore than a masterpiece of literature, however, the Book of product line it provides an insight on the nature of God, on the relationship of God and man, and a criticism to mans understanding of Gods laws. Most hatful would say that the Book of Job provides man a guideline on how to suffer (Copeland 2006 Goldberg 2010), but it is more than that. It serves to answer three of the most difficult questions on anguish What is suffering? Why do people suffer undeservedly? What kind of lessons can be taken from suffering? ALL ABOUT THE make OF JOB According to Mark Copeland (2006), the Book of Job belongs to the Books of Poetry, along with Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. Just like the others, it is written in poetic style. Its author is unknown and the reckon of writing has been hotly debated among scholars. All that can be said with certainty is that the author is a loyal Hebraical who was not bound by t he fashionable creed that assumed suffering was always a direct result of sin (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown in Copeland 20064). It is often referred to as the prime example of Hebrew wisdom literature (Waters 1997436) because it deals with a number of issues never discussed in the previous books of the Old Testament the concept of theodicy1 and an understanding of the just and righteous God who allows underserved suffering in the world. At the start of the Book, the reader is introduced to Job, a man of remarkable character who was blessed with a huge family and a good fortune. This was then by a controversy presented through a conversation between God and morning star (Job 18-11) Has thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Thou hast blessed the work of his hand, and his substance is change magnitude in the la nd. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face To determine the veracity of Satans claim, God allow Satan to test Job. Job then lost everything he had his children, his possessions, and was even inflicted with a sickness. But still he remained loyal and said Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away (Job 121). After relating Jobs distress, the rest of the Book relates conversation (speeches in fact) between Job and his three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. These three friends have incited him to repent from his sins, after all, this could be the only reason he is sufferng. Once he has repented, his friends claim, the Lords blessings will be restored and he will be prosperous again. Job was of course, confused. He has always been faithful to the Lord, and he even asked for forgiveness for his childrens errors, what secret sin was he being punished for? Afte r three cycles of speeches wherein Job in any case expressed his confusion Wherefore the wicked live, become oldTheir seed established in their sight with themTheir houses are safe from fear (Job 217-9), a new character, Elihu, is introduced. He explains why he does not speak earlier Now Elihu has waited till Job has spoken, because they were elder than he (Job 324). Elihus views well-nigh suffering was unlike the other three friends. Like Job, he knew that he lived according to God