The Point of the Book of Job

[Twisted_Ferret]

I've never quite understood this book.

There's the objection most nonbelievers have with it, of course: that God allows a man's life to be made hell merely to prove a point. On a whim. A bet with Satan.

The usual reply, though, is that this is to... show us something? I'm not sure, actually, but I assume the usual reply has SOMETHING to do with the book teaching us things.

But what does it teach us?

I've read it at least twice, and each time I am bewildered. The whole deal is set up for a few chapters; Satan rains horrible things upon Job for a little bit; then 80% of the book is Job's friends giving him monologues on the power and glory of God and how God is trying to teach Job stuff.

Then in the last three or four chapters, God comes from the clouds and is like "LOL FRIENDS-OF-JOB, YOU'RE WRONG, STFU, I AM THE LORD WHO IS GREAT." He pontificates on how great he is for the chapters, gives Job some stuff (but doesn't resurrect those killed or anything), then the book ends.

Uh... I just spent 42 chapters learning and studying upon exegeses that WEREN'T EVEN RIGHT? Why INCLUDE so many?! It's like a, I don't know, woodworking book that details for chapter upon chapter on how to make a cabinet, that then ends by saying "but DON'T DO THIS THIS IS WRONG" and not even explaining WHY.

It just confused me. No offense intended to any Christians; excuse me if the tone is somewhat exasperated.

[jackketch]

First off it would be more accurate to speak of the bookS of Job. You see it is at least two or three (I can't remember off the top of my head) books quite badly stitched together.

Secondly the original account is perhaps the oldest part of the bible, going back to time when the Sumerians hadn't even begun to think about fun stuff a bright boy might do with mud and straw.

If you google up 'Babylonian Job' you'll no doubt find reams of history.

Its old...really really OLD.

So its not surprising that the meaning is a bit unclear.

The original meaning was probably something along the lines of god has a fucking lousy/sick sense of humour.

Yes I am being serious.

Remember the 'god' of the original Job wasn't 'our' God but some near eastern deity-who as a rule enjoyed fucking with humanity.

oh btw , you do realise the biblical account makes clear that 'satan' was a human being...i did a thread about that I think...

[Rizzo in a box]

man who knows why anything happens

[jackketch]

Originally Posted by Rizzo in a box

man who knows why anything happens

"Shit happens." Book Of Ketch, Chapter One verse 1.

[ArmsMerchant]

If nothing else, Job shows how arbitrary and petty the OT god could be.

Maybe that was what Shakespeare had in mind when he wrote "as flies to wanton boys are we to the gods--they kill us for their sport." Or something like that.

[Twisted_Ferret]

Originally Posted by jackketch

The original meaning was probably something along the lines of god has a fucking lousy/sick sense of humour.

Yes I am being serious.

Remember the 'god' of the original Job wasn't 'our' God but some near eastern deity-who as a rule enjoyed fucking with humanity.

God was originally a badguy?

oh btw , you do realise the biblical account makes clear that 'satan' was a human being...i did a thread about that I think...

You posted about how "Satan" means "adversary", I think... but I can't remember why you said he was human.

If nothing else, Job shows how arbitrary and petty the OT god could be.

No argument there. Job's family is, after all, never returned.

[jackketch]

Originally Posted by Twisted_Ferret

God was originally a badguy?
.

Not so much 'bad' but more spoilt child with a toybox (us!).

[Howard Radford]

God did it in hope of changing satan's ways. It ain't pointless, though his attempt was unsuccessful.

[BrokeProphet]

The book of Job teaches that WHEN bad shit happens to the faithful (the SAME shit everyone suffers through btw) it is a test of God. It teaches that ALL the pointless drama of this life has a godly purpose. It is designed to teach the sheep about YET AGAIN not questioning the almighty sky father.

[HellzShellz]

If you were a person, I had just met, would I let you know me instantly? No. We would have to establish trust. Point God isn't going to unveil himself to someone who doesn't even believe in Him.

The Word is God, these two should never EVER be separated ESPECIALLY since God PLACES His Word above His name.

I was going to say alot on this, until I heard that I need to say this. Drink water for your own cistern. That is to say, you need a relationship with Jesus Christ, so you can ask Him questions and have Him answer your questions. Of course to establish a relationship you must first believe. If you can't accept and believe the simple Gospel of Jesus Christ, how can you expect to know and have insight into the intimate things of Him? You must know Him.. and hearing ABOUT Him doesn't mean you know Him. More importantly YOU must be KNOWN BY HIM.

I love you,
-A servant.