Job is a biblical story with relevance in modern society. Reading the King James Version, it expands on the basic story of Job; wherein, he speaks to Three Wise Men about the tragedies of his life. The story begins when God is challenged by an Angel. The Angel states humans are impure in how they worship God, claiming we praise God for material wealth and blessings.
Job is a man of wealth who loses everything in a disaster. As a survivor people accuse him of being unlucky; however, it is Job's righteousness sparing his life. Surrounded with several people without as much purity of heart and mind, Job compensated workers and gave to charity. He follows the Word of God without using it as a weapon, only to gain knowledge and respect. Why everyone is stricken down is mysterious, yet Job lives in wreckage to avoid harming anyone.
Three wise men question his behavior accusing him of several sins; however, it is Job who survives. This should be good enough to recognize he is not engaged in sinful actions, yet people assessed his losses and assumed he was evil. Noticing activity in the media, people fixated on natural disasters tend to condemn entire countries of misdeeds. Survivors were blessed with protection and saved.
Why does anyone seek violence or find reason to harm others when the Bible states we shall not judge? Regular policing is important to finding if someone is guilty and these actions should not cease, even when assuming everyone is innocent. Job's challenges appear to be curses; however, they are blessings. Perhaps he needed more knowledge to grow as a person. He never bemoaned God for tragedy even as the Wise Men questioned him.
Elihu, the youngest, was the wisest. He questioned Job without assumptions. While carefully assessing the story, in God's judgment they were not wise for they were criticizing God's decisions. They were prideful in assumptions about the Wretched and the Poor. They underestimated God's power, while Job glorified God and continued to pray. Though it was not until Job understood the blessings God had given him in the form of life, protection, knowledge and betterment that the Wise Men gave Job a portion of his loses.
Job flourished as he grew old. He gained twice as much livestock and children to become his heirs. It is stated his daughters were beautiful and his sons were wise. Not having to contend with additional turmoil in his life, he was able to produce more and became extremely wealthy.
The story raises some concern. Murdering people who interfere with progress is not a good idea. We should not assume guilt. Perhaps several died because they had not gained God's blessing. As Job was humble, we should be humble knowing we cannot see around corners or behind walls to know someone's guilt. There is also the issue of narrative stories between God and Angels. This would be unknown to men, though the premise of God conversing with Job might be feasible.
Job's faith allowed God to free him. He had utmost confidence God's will was good. Job questioned if this was God's punishment for his sins. He resented people who mistreated him and failed to believe he was innocent. He lost hope and he dwelt on misery, yet he never questioned God's power or hated God for the misery he felt.
Related Article
Pseudo-Known
Quirky Books
Coleridge's Ancient Mariner Editor Ellen Garrigues
