My thoughts: on Job

Job 1-2
Despite his immense wealth, Job was a God-fearing, perfect man. The devil, with the permission of God, heaped misfortunes upon him to see if he will still continue to be devout. Although he lost his wealth and his children, and was later afflicted with boils, he continued to bless the name of the Lord (1, v.21) despite the goading of his wife.

3.
In his grief, Job curses himself and his past, and relates of how which he feared has happened.

4.
Eliphaz tries to console the grieving Job, who had advised and strengthened many who were assailed by problems. Yet, when faced by problems, he is criticised for being unable to deal with it.

5.
Although Eliphaz is sometimes awfully wrong, there are some wise insights:
wrath makes one foolish
envy makes one silly
God does marvellous and great things
God sets on high those who are low
God exalts those who mourn
God saves the poor
God disappoints the crafty and the wise- they are unable to accomplish their schemes
One must be happy when God chastises him, for:
- God will deliver him from all troubles, and evil will not assail him.
- Famine and destruction will not trouble him, and he won’t be killed in war
- He will be protected from malicious tongues

8.
Bildad has some wise insights as well:
- God will not cast away a perfect person
- God doesn’t help the evil doers

11.
Although Zophar is critical of Job, he is right about the magnitude of God:
Can anyone decipher Him completely, and condense the findings into a book? Moreover, if we are steadfast in our faith, we can be secure with the hope that God makes all things alright.

12.
Job illustrates the power of God, who can do all things on any thing for there is no limit to His power. His handiworks, the animals, birds, geographical features, and fishes, readily testify to being God’s creations. God possesses the soul of each living organism, and the breath of all mankind. God is wisdom, strength, counsel, and understanding.

14.
Man is compared to a transient flower. Despite Job’s sufferings, he still trusts in the Lord, perhaps like Abraham who unquestioningly took Issac to be sacrificed as per God’s wishes.

15.
Eliphaz is of the view that a wise man should not utter vain knowledge, and fill himself with trivial matter. Neither should he reason with unprofitable talk, give speeches which can be of no use, or trust in vanity.

16.
Job is not comforted by the criticisms of his friends, who are happy to find fault with him and doesn’t do anything to assuage his grief or to pray for him.

19.
Job elaborates more on his sufferings- how he is ill-treated and ostracised. Yet, he knows that there will be an end to his sufferings and he will see God.

20.21
While Zophar points out the sufferings of the wicked, seeing the entire scenario as black and white, Job explains the reality concerning the comfortable lives of the wicked, who are punished very seldom, except during the Judgment.
I once used to ask myself why the most callous seemed to have everything, whereas the godliest had every suffering.

22.
Eliphaz accuses Job of many sins. The question though is whether Job was truly guilty, or whether Eliphaz personifies society in accusing Job with sins he wasn’t guilty of. Yet, he advises Job to be patient and to return to God, for God will help him and make him prosper.

23.
Job admits that in his current state, he cannot perceive God on his right or left hand side although he knows that He is present. But Job is also confident that after all his sufferings and trials, he will emerge purified like gold since he has held on to his belief in God and following his laws. This reminds me of those seeds which fell among the thorns, and were strangled by the worries and problems of the world. Although Job is surrounded by thorns, he maintains his faith.

26.
Job gives a scientist’s arguments for God’s existence!
- Formation of things from water, as per evolutionary theories (v.5).
- Suspension of earth on its own orbit (v.7).
- Thick clouds containing rain (v.8)
- Formation of the convoluted and cunning serpent (v.13).

Job also enunciates the power and strength of God.
- He made creatures and creations.
- He created the earth and the universe
- He is the brain behind all biological, geographical, astronomical, and geological phenomena.

27.
Although Job feels that he is punished by God, he acknowledges that God dwells in him (v. 3). Irrespective of all suffering, Job:
- sticks on to his integrity (v. 5)
- will not speak wickedness or say lies (v. 4)
- will remain righteous (v. 6)

The unrighteous might prosper in worldly activities and gain numerous riches, but he will not gain anything when he dies.

28.
Here are some geological insights!
- ores of silver are seen as veins (v. 1)
- gold is also seen underground (v.1)
- iron is taken out from the earth (v.2)
- brass is extracted from stone (v.2)
- the molten core of the earth (v.5)

God’s magnificence is again enunciated.

But from where can we find wisdom or understanding? (v.12) Does it have a price? (v. 13) Can it be bought by gold, silver, crystal, coral, pearls, rubies, topaz, onyx, or sapphire? The fear of the Lord is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding. (v. 28)

29.
Job remembers his past, and his service towards everyone. This is the life of one who is blessed with wisdom and understanding.

33. 34. 35
Elihu’s rants remind me of people who mistakenly consider themselves to be righteous, but then their very behaviour towards the sufferer indicates otherwise.

36.
Similar to the speeches of the other friends, Elihu’s also has a few truths:
- God is mighty (v. 5) and great (v. 26) in strength and wisdom.
- God does not despise any (v. 5)
- God helps the poor (v. 6), and delivers them when they are afflicted (v. 15)
- He doesn’t overlook the righteous. He exalts them along with kings (v. 7)

37.
Elihu makes some observations on weather and climate!

38.
This is an intellectually rich passage, with many insights into the geomorphological, geological, climatological, and physical phenomena. Unlike the HTB hypothesis (and the theological argument), I believe that our knowledge of creation is very nil, and we cannot write off anything in these verses as poetic instead of factual.

Like God speaking to Moses from the burning bush, God appears to Job in whirlwind. God doesn’t like false teaching (v.2), or making baseless statements disguised as knowledgeable ones (v.2)

God created the earth- the building did start from the foundations and corner stone (supporting evolution?). The creation was applauded by angels and the stars. God gives various examples of natural phenomena which he created and organised, and points out the limitations of man’s knowledge and power.

There are some more insights:
- sea has springs (v.16)
- the breadth of the earth (v.18)
- division of light (v.24)
- what causes wind movements (v.24)
- the causes of precipitation
- the signs of the Zodiac and their positions

It is God who provides for animals when they cry out to Him for food (v. 41).

39.
This is another insightful passage (especially into the characteristics of wild goats, wild ass, unicorn, ostrich, horse, hawk, and eagle). God refers to animal and plant life, their psychologies, and man’s powerlessness to create or dictate them and their lifecycles and instincts, or to give them attributes. Man did not design or create feathers in various hues, shapes, and designs.

Note: There certainly seems to have been unicorns during Job’s time!

40.
A reference to fens! (v.21)

41.
God illustrates man’s powerlessness over animals. Everything under the heaven is God’s (v. 11).

42.
Job affirms his faith in God who can do every thing and from whom nothing can be withheld (v. 2). God instructs Job’s friends to offer a burnt offering. Job also prays for them, and he is rewarded with assets twice what he had. Job was blessed with friends, livestock, children, and long life.