The
Biblical Story of JOB
Source: Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces,
expanded edition in one vol), ed. Maynard Mack, 1997 & lectures from grad
school
Based on
hero of folktale
–
Oral circulation 2nd millenium BCE
–
Written 1000-800 BCE by 2 anonymous poets
–
Dramatic form – verse except for opening/closing
Subject:
Why do the just suffer and the wicked flourish?
Plan laid in heaven to test really
good man
BULK=speeches & responses surrounding Job’s innocence
–
Elihu accuses Job of Pride
–
God speaks from storm to convince Job he’s ignorant & cannot
question him (list of accomplishments)
PARDOX
– ethics of suffering NOT resolved
=
mystery – Text does not justify ways of God
POINT–to
criticize philosophy that associates sin w/suffering
to probe depths of faith in spite of suffering
HERO of
folktale – usually rewarded for virtues
JOB–comes
to see religion& mortality as claim for happiness
Accepts what happens & continues to glorify God
Wild/crazy but also profound (curses self / life not God)
Wants explanation, rejects concept of resurrection
If evil, could have accepted the judgement/punishment
Learns he is but a puny mortal crushed by God’s power
= human nature (finite, mortal, insignificant): repents
GOD – at work in universe, aware of evil, yet takes personal care of Job = profound involvement in our lives/world (comes down to “explain” face to face in human terms)
Answer puts Job in place, shows own strength–almighty
Takes Job (us) on tour of his “zoo”
Leviathan: ultimate sea animal
Behemoth: ultimate land animal (of chaos & evil)
WORLD: full of violence
and vitality: untamed chaos
Puzzling ending: Does goodness get rewarded?
Questions remain:
Is there Balance (in the world)?
SATAN
– among sons of God – not yet demonic
Not the same as the Satan of New Testament
Here like FBI or chief enforcer (check if people good)
Claims Job good only b/c life is easy / good for him
Casts suspicion in God’s mind reg. Job’s goodness
Not mentioned in epilogue
Did he lose?
Or does it suggest new understanding of God?
With darker side – mysterious
Has
Job matured? How so? Why?
Is
suffering necessary or good?
Job doesn’t value his suffering
Suffering
not advocated as act of divine grace
No
Answers (maybe the answer)