Introduction: The Book of Job
The Perennial Question
Despite all the popular propaganda to the contrary, Christians have very logical and rational reasons to believe in God. Though assured by some of the “best and brightest” that the evolutionary concepts of “natural selection” and “random mutation” can explain the complexity, wonder, and beauty of life, many people don’t buy it and logically so. And despite the latest “scientific” pronouncements that the universe arose from “nothing,” most people find the idea of an eternally existing God, as opposed to “nothing,” the more logically satisfying explanation for Creation.
And yet, even with logic and reason firmly on our side, there’s still the ever-present problem of evil. And thus the perennial question: If God exists, and is so good, so loving, and so powerful, why so much suffering?
Hence, this quarter’s study: the book of Job. How fascinating that Job, which deals with the perennial question, was one of the first books of the Bible written. God gave us, early on, some answers to the most difficult of all issues. Some answers, but not all. Probably no one book of the Bible could answer them all; even the Bible as a whole doesn’t. Nevertheless, Job pulls back a veil and reveals to the reader the existence of a reality beyond what our senses, even those aided by scientific devices, could show us. It takes us to a realm that, while far removed from us in one sense, is incredibly close in another. The book of Job shows us what so much of the rest of the Bible does, too: the natural and supernatural are inseparably linked. Job is a portrayed drama of the principle and warning that Paul expressed ages later: “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph. 6:12, NKJV).
Though mostly about one man, the book of Job is the story of us all in that we all suffer in ways that often seem to make no sense. And even the story of the four men who come to him reflects our situation, too, for who among us hasn’t tried to come to grips with the sufferings of others?
Yet, we’d miss a crucial point about the book of Job if we limited it only to suffering humanity’s attempts to understand suffering humanity. The story appears in a context, that of the great controversy between Christ and Satan, which is portrayed here in the most literal of terms. And that’s because it’s the most literal of battles, one that began in heaven and is being played out here in the hearts, minds, and bodies of every human being.
This quarter’s studies look at the story of Job, both close up, in the immediate drama of the narrative, and from a distance, in that we know not only how the book ends but also the bigger background in which it unfolds. As readers, then, with the knowledge not only of the book of Job but of the whole Bible, one crucial issue for us is to try and pull it all together. We try to understand as much as possible, not only why we live in a world of evil, but more important, how we are to live in such a world.
Of course, even after we study Job, even in the context of the rest of the Bible, the perennial question remains. We are assured, though, of the perennial answer: Jesus Christ, in whom “we have redemption through His blood” (Eph. 1:7, NKJV)-the One through whom all answers come.
Clifford Goldstein is the editor of the Adult Bible Study Guide. He has been at the General Conference since 1984.
(17)
i think today, that God is always here to see and hear us everywhere and everythings we do! but like the stories of Job,it's satan who persecute and block our life! as result:if we fix in God everydays,He was always have solutions and objectif to help us.
The author of the month's quarter has presented us all with a goal that we should strive for every day, "We [should] try to understand as much as possible, not only why we live in a world of evil, but more important, how we are to live in such a world". If we all would do that, then we would find out our purpose in this life sooner; and therefore, live out the purpose for our lives, to be a blessing to God and our fellow man.
Job a man who was patient in trials and tribulations. He set a good standard to us that God remains God even through awkward times. As we journey through his painful experiences,let us be comforted that we are not alone..God will always take us through the rough roads of this world.
The story of Job is amazing to me. To have the conversations between God and Job are enviable in the final analysis, from Jobs understanding. Job 38:1-4 and Job 42:1-4. God allowed access to Job as well as two of his friends also. Job 1:1 and Job 2:3 seemed to have characteristics that were pleasing to God. We can identify with similar situations at times but not the direct communication. Just a quick side note. The book of Job is believed to be the first book written in the Bible by Moses. The Pentateuch.
AMEN God take us through it all; when I was reading the above comments, I remembered a song God leads his children along
Some through the waters some through the floods, some through the fire but all through the blood.
some through great sorrow but God gives a song in the night season and all the day long
sometimes in the valley of darkest of night GOD IS THERE.
Job had a strong faith that did not doubt God's leading.
Am glad to have such wonderful brothers and sisters that inspired by the word of God. am really blessed by Ur comments may God bless all of u specially this ministry.
The book of job is more valuable for this in need world that to overcome and face the obstacle of this world everything is nothing to as when we read book of job
This is so Important to this generation when we study about Job because His suffring reveals the way how the world is full of Pain, therefore I expect every Body do change characters As we are putting in mind our role to preach gospel in community where we live mat 28 ➡. Last lesson.
Indeed all characters of people are revealed in the book of Job. Then ask ourselves which side one is and how beneficial it is to you? I pray for the Holy Spirit to guide us as we study this quarter's lesson.
The devil only corrupt our mind heart and health and thus what he did to Job. whenever we allow him to corrupt our thoughts we will not think straight, if we allow him in our heart the out come will be public. if he struck us with sickness or disaster we should cling to God's promises that He is always with us.