The Theme of Power in the Book of Job
Introduction
The book of Job is part of a collection of wisdom literature which was created form the 5th to the 3rd centuries BCE. Job is described as “a greater man than any other” and was from the land of Uz. Greater than any other man, yet not as great as God as he would soon find out. He had 3 friends who he had discussions with concerning faith, understanding, and the power of God and his relationship with the people. The main idea that I will present to you is the power struggle between God and Job throughout the text.
1. What is Wisdom?
Before we can introduce this theme, we must first discuss, what is wisdom literature? We must also discuss, what is wisdom? Wisdom can be defined as “the ability to cope”, “the art of steering”, “one who achieves expertise”, or “the quest for self understanding and for mastery of the world”. These definitions, among many others, describe the word “wisdom”, yet it cannot be placed into one single defining category. Rather, wisdom has no single definition, but can be considered a search that will never end. Wisdom is a lifelong search, one that can be constantly improved, augmented, and changed. In a theological sense, wisdom can be considered to be the fear of the lord, receiving instruction from him, human experience, and mysteries of creation. One who pursues wisdom in this sense must hear wisdom obediently and pray to receive wisdom.
2. What is Wisdom Literature?
How can we define wisdom literature? Thematically, wisdom consists of mastering life for human betterment, and searching for life’s secrets involving the idea of innocent suffering. Basically, wisdom literature provides groundwork for readers seeking wisdom, through a combination o...
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...ive participant in society which can ultimately benefit all of humankind. The quest to understand these concepts was the original cause of the power struggle in the book of Job.
5. Conclusion
In conclusion, the theme of power is an important and telling one throughout the bible. The struggle for understanding between God and man creates a dialogue which can explain some of the questions presented in theological thought. In the book, Job began as one who lacked righteousness, questioning God’s decisions and authority. By talking with God and hearing God’s responses, Job began to respect him, was filled with knowledge, and led toward a path of understanding, a path of righteousness. He was enlightened through the idea of divine justice, and was filled with the capacity to help others, and realized that all humans have had this ability since the time of creation.
Second, the story line. Although Archibald MacLeish wrote the play based on the story of Job in The Bible, there are many differences in the story line. In The Bible, Job’s misfortune was spawned by Satan trying to show God that Job was not as holy as God had thought. God gave Satan the power to destroy everything Job had, including his health. Job’s children all died together when the roof of the house collapsed on them while they were all dining at the house of the oldest brother. His wife died also, and all of his possessions was taken from him. Furthermore, he contracted painful sores all over his body. As for J.B., his children died separately, one after the other. The oldest had died in the army. Two were involved in a car accident. One daughter was killed by an explosion that also took out J.B.’s millions. And the youngest was raped. However, J.B.’s wife, Sarah, was not killed, but instead she left him. In The Bible, Job is confronted by his three friends. His friends encourages him to turn against God and to curse him, but he refused to do so. On the other hand, J.B. was confronted with four friends, the first three encouraging him to turn against God but the fourth telling him to pray to God and to praise Him.
In the first chapter of God Behaving Badly, David Lamb argues that God is unfairly given a bad reputation. He claims these negative perceptions are fueled by pop culture and lead many to believe the lie that the God of the Old Testament is angry, sexist, racist, violent, legalistic, rigid, and distant. These negative perceptions, in turn, affect our faith. Ultimately, Lamb seeks to demonstrate that historical context disproves the presumptuous aforementioned. In addition, he defends his position by citing patterns of descriptions that characterize God throughout the Old Testament. “Our image of God will directly affect how we either pursue or avoid God. If we believe that the God of the Old Testament is really harsh, unfair and cruel, we won’t want anything to do with him” (Lamb 22). Clearly, they way Christians choose to see God will shape their relationship with Him.
The Book of Job is a book about a wealthy man Job who lived in a land called Uz with his large family and extensive flocks. He was “blameless” and “upright,” and was always careful to avoid doing evil. One day, Satan (“the Adversary”) ap...
Knowledge is defined as information and skills one acquires through experience or education. There is; however, a certain knowledge than cannot be certain and is unjustifiable from the scientific perspective. Karen Armstrong, Robert Thurman, and Azar Nafisi wrote about this type of knowledge in their essays: “Homo Religiosus,” “Wisdom,” and “Reading Lolita in Tehran,” respectively. Each of these authors has a different view of what knowledge is exactly, how it can be achieved, and what it means to have achieved it, but each author takes on the view that the concept of knowledge should be viewed from a social stance. Armstrong refers to this uncertain knowledge as “myth,” Thurman refers to it as “wisdom,” and Nafisi refers to it as “upsilamba";
Some talked of God, of his mysterious ways, ...and of their future deliverance. But I had ceased to pray. How I sympathized with Job! I did not deny God’s existence, but I doubted His absolute justice. (42)
The Book of Job shows a change in God's attitude from the beginning to the end. At the beginning of the book, He is presented as Job's protector and defender. At the end He appears as the supreme being lecturing and preaching to Job with hostility, despite the fact that Job never cursed his name, and never did anything wrong. Job's only question was why God had beseeched this terrible disease on him. I intend to analyze and discuss the different roles God played in the Book of Job.
Wisdom is one of the most important divisions of the eightfold noble path. This division basically emphasizes discernment and how important it is to follow. Wisdom consists of two separate parts, which are right view and right intention.
...ave either seen, survived, or know of. Yet, when they need help, there is nowhere else to turn. Paul doesn’t arrive at Job, doesn’t decide to dedicate his life to it, as his first choice. He only does so after other institutions, namely the Church, fail to provide assistance. As a result, Job naturally becomes the central all-powerful force in the lives of the laborers. It is to Job they go every day, and to Job that they dedicate themselves. As the Church failed to help them materially, it also often fails to help them spiritually beyond encouraging them to accept their plight as fate. Once arrived at this state, it is a natural consequence that Paul loses his faith God and the Catholic institution as they are supplanted by the Capitalist institution of Job. Though he resents and wishes to break free from Job, he sees no alternative, it is all that is left to him.
Job was a man of the purest faith. When the world shunned God, Job's faith never declined. Job was a wealthy, handsome man with a beautiful wife and a vast amount of property. At some point in time, Satan made a bet with God that if Job situation was changed, his faith would quickly falter. On this note, God took Job's wealth, his property, his family, and his wife. When times were at their worst, God gave Job pus welts on Job's face, taking his looks. Job's faith, however, did not falter, instead it becamestronger. Job passed the test. God then healed Job, gave him more land, greater wealth , and a better wife. Job was baffled, he wondered the purpose behind his fall and rise. When he asked God this, God replied: "...Because I'm God." That was answer enough.
The whole Book is a “double” journey for Job. He shows God his faith and realizes the faith God has that Job will not stray from his path. Job knows deep down that God has not forsaken him.
...hat they were all speaking as if they knew exactly what God was doing might have also upset him. Therefore, to rectify having spoken of God in this manner, they each must take a certain amount of sacrifices to Job, and Job would offer their sacrifices to God and pray for them. In the end, Job was made twice as prosperous as before. His wealth doubled, he had ten more children, and lived 140 more years of his life. The basic theme of this reading is to establish an understanding of the relationship between God and His people. God's wisdom and power are visible everywhere in creation. A willingness to look and accept what is obvious results in awe for the Creator. Even if we do not accept it, it still reveals His glory. Elevating yourself over God makes no sense for the fact that he is immeasurably more powerful and fully able to accomplish what He knows is most wise.
Webster’s dictionary defines wisdom as, “the quality or state of being wise; knowledge of what is true or right coupled with just judgment as to action; sagacity, discernment, or insight.” (p. 724) To gain such knowledge, one may consider many years of school. Perhaps a Bachelor’s degree or even a Master’s degree will help one to achieve great wisdom. Or maybe just a life time of experience is what one needs to gain this kind of wisdom. Wright (1989) defines wisdom as “The practical translation and application of the Word of God to everyday life.” (p. 69) Wright (1989) does not speak of the kind of wisdom gained through scholarly books. He speaks of Biblical wisdom. He speaks of the wisdom that comes from great scriptures such as Proverbs 2:10-11, “When wisdom enters your heart, and knowledge is pleasant to your soul, discretion will preserve you; understanding will keep you.” (The Holy Bible NKJV, 1986) According to Wright, (1989) there are 4 important components to achieving the kind of wisdom he speaks about.
Authority of Scripture reconciles the community with God and can transform our lives. To participate in the fuller blessing of understanding, it is important to view Scripture with historical and literary sensitivity, interpret theocentrically, ecclesially, and contextually. I realize each of these can be overwhelming to the average person who is seeking direction for a specific concern in their life. Therefore, Migliore reminds us, interpreting Scripture is practical engagement in the living of Christian faith, love, and hope in a still redeemed world. When we listen carefully to the voices of the past, from a worldwide culture, and guided by the Holy Spirit, we will open ourselves to those transformational opportunities.
The quest for knowledge and learning has been occuring since the creation of mankind. Ever since the serpent in the Garden of Eden tempted Eve to eat the forbidden apple from the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, promising she would wise as the gods, man has been battling with this endless pursuit. Some men want wisdom so that they may be able to live a good and righteous life. Other men want only the power that knowledge can bring them, to use it for their own sinful purposes.
In The Book of Job, one of the main themes is desire, more specifically the desire to know the actuality. Job is a wealthy man living in a land of Uz with his family minding his own business. He is a very religious man and usually strives to do what he believes is morally right. Satan one day challenges God that Job will lose his faith in him if he allows Satan to torture Job. God accepts the challenge and Job greatly suffers. Job at the beginning of the story had no desires or intentions at all, but as his condition gets worse and worse. Job mindset about God and his belief begins to shift. At this point in the story desire starts to play a key role in Job’s life. Desire is shown in Job when he demands answers from God and why God is putting him through all of this. The idea of questioning God terrifies Job but his desire for an answer ultimately overshadows his fear of questioning God, “Here is my desire...