Please read through Chapters 1-5, 19 and 37-42 of the Book of Job. In addition to addressing the problem of evil, what other wisdom does Job offer? Cite a verse or two you think would be particularly good to include in an anthology of ancient wisdom, and explain why you think this verse or these verses are particularly worth including.
Thursday, April 7, 2022
The Book of Job
Please read through Chapters 1-5, 19 and 37-42 of the Book of Job. In addition to addressing the problem of evil, what other wisdom does Job offer? Cite a verse or two you think would be particularly good to include in an anthology of ancient wisdom, and explain why you think this verse or these verses are particularly worth including.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I think a very great verse in an anthology of ancient wisdom, but also would be applicable today is Jobs 5:11 "He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety". This is great because it is really uplifting and motivating. Furthermore, I believe this is a quote that can set a good example for people and society to model.
ReplyDeleteI believe chapters 37-39 speak wisdom to all humans wondering in why bad things happen and God does nothing. We dont know anything yet we question why. Elihu and God explain it perfectly that we couldnt comprehend the things of God.
ReplyDeleteThe fourth verse of Chapter 38 would be an excellent inclusion: "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding." Everyone is so quick to challenge God, to undermine Him, as if He's on the same plane as we are. But, regardless of whether He exists of not, God is so far above our understanding that it's beyond arrogant to assume we have the right to challenge Him so smugly.
ReplyDeleteBroc Kilber- Job 40:7 would be a great addition to any collection of wisdom as it states "Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you will make it known to me". The it here is referring to the Lord calling Job the faultfinder in 40:2 and the dress for action is referring to 40:4-5 where Job responded to the Lord by saying he shall remain silent before the Lord's rebuke. This verse is the Lord telling Job to not remain silent to his rebuke but to accept it like a man and verbally acknowledge it. This is a great piece of wisdom for any person, that when you have done something wrong admit it. Do not just remain silent about it in the face of rebuke but face it.
ReplyDeleteJob offers wisdom about what life can look like when people give their hearts to God; that things might not be pretty all the time, but that God will always serve justice and peace to those who remain faithful.
ReplyDeleteThe essence of the book of Job can be found in this one verse... Job 19:25 “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that He shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.”
Job has his eyes on the prize and realize that the Lord will reign victorious and the short time of suffering on this earth is insignificant to the big picture. Faith is why Jobs suffering was so endurable and this verse captures that.
Another verse... Job 1:21 “...Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord”.
When you are naked, you are with nothing; in Jobs case the only thing he really has is God, and that enough for him to die satisfied.
Dylan Schimke
ReplyDeleteTo me, the book of Job is all about putting your faith in the Lord and not trying to blame Him for the wicked and wild things that will happen to you. One of the verses I always here is from the first chapter of Job, Job 1:21, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away: may the name of the Lord be praised." I think this is a great verse because it summarizes our position on Earth, we had nothing, and the Lord gives us everything, therefor we should be grateful for everything that we have and keep our heads up when things get down. Another verse I like is Job 19: 25-26, "I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God." I find this verse truly inspiring because in the middle of Job's suffering, he is excited that he will get to see God. Overall, I think this book is a great example of why trusting in God is important and understanding why suffering happens will lead to high resilience.
I think that these last couple of verses tend to be overlooked when reading through Job. Job has just had his life absolutely devastated by three freak accidents. Upon hearing about this, Job's friends come over and are absolutely no help whatsoever. At the end of the book, God says to Job's friends to have Job pray over them, so that He doesn't punish them for the horrible advice they have given Job. I think this highlights a great point: if you're going to give advice, make as sure as possible that it's good advice. If Job had become disheartened, he could have just killed himself, and that would have been on his friends' consciences for the rest of their lives. Your words have meaning and consequences. It's really hard to remember that at times, but it's no less significant.
ReplyDeleteGoing through all of Job's sections where he responds, it becomes clear that despite everything that has happened to him, despite how wronged he has been, he is still full of humility.
ReplyDeleteHe has been abandoned and berated, left to grieve with no real comfort. And despite this, when faced with the truth that he did not fully understand the scope of what God did, he humbly admits the truth.
Verse 42:3 -
"Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge? Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know."
He admits his lack of understanding and admits what he did wrong (which was speaking while being ill-aware of what he was speaking about).
Even today, a large portion of people struggle to admit when they are wrong and apologize when they are told they are wrong. It is a bitter pill for people to swallow to hear they weren't right. But Job does this quickly and listens while God further explains and furthers Job's knowledge. For this, Job is rewarded, for I'm sure he would not nearly have been awarded as much as he was had he reacted angerly or continued to be rude or crass.
Job 38:4-5
ReplyDelete"Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?"
The limit to our human understanding is a big theme in the book of Job. Although things happen in life that we can't comprehend and most likely never will, it is crucial that we continue living our lives. This idea can cripple someone, but when we know who is sovereign over all than it gives us a comfort and peace.
I will pick two verses from Job and say their significance
ReplyDeleteJob 1:6
One day, the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came down with them.
When God comes on judgment day, Satan will show himself, while the Angels will guide and show themselves, with God at the center of it all.
Job 19:25
I know that my redeemer lives. And that in the end, he will stand on the earth.
This passage states that God is the redeemer of them all. Ultimately, he will stand on the new earth and judge us all.
These two passages are some of the most well-known verses in Job. Job is a perfect example of faith and commitment. He lost everything, but he never lost his faith. In the end, God gave him everything back.
-Brady Metzinger
Job offers a good amount of wisdom in the book. I think this a good book for the human heart and how we should treat our minds. Throughout the book, Job is trying to figure out what he did wrong to deserve all of the punishments he is facing. His friends try to tell him what he needs to know and what he needs to do. However, something that Job discovers at the end of the book is that he doesn't need to know any of it. What he needs to do is trust God and trust his ways. With that, he can go very far.
ReplyDeleteA good verse that I think could be added to an anthology is Job 1:21: "And he said, 'Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I l return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.'"
This verse is great because it is both comforting and a reminder of who God is. He gives you things, but he is also capable of taking things away. What you have now, God has allowed you to have, and you should be thankful for it. You as a human have nothing--you came into the world naked. God has given you all that you have.
-Lauren Bland
The book of Job gives readers an understanding of wisdom and an example of how to live your life for the Lord. Although the advice that Job's friends give him in the beginning of the book is misguided for the situation, it is good bits of wisdom for people in other situations to apply to their lives. Job 5:2, "vexation kills the fool, and jealousy slays the simple", is one verse that stands out to me in this book. Here, Eliphaz tries to explain why people suffer. While it does not necessarily apply to Job's situation, there is something behind the message. Jealousy and vexation cause people to act and react in ways that can be destructive to a person's life.
ReplyDeleteJob 19:3-4
ReplyDeleteThese ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me. / And be it indeed that I have erred, mine error remaineth with myself.
I believe that, since humans are social beings, it is sometimes necessary to point out someone's faults once or twice. However, Job says that people continue to insult and humiliate others to shame them. Even today, especially on the internet, netizens keep bringing up someone's past. We need to reflect on whether this is truly for the sake of justice, or simply to feel pleasure in trampling on someone else.
Sophia Lee