I’ve been reading the Bible chronologically this year. Right now I’m in the middle of Job.
The book is mystifying and frankly hard to comprehend having grown up with Western conceptions of justice. In the book, Job, who is called “blameless and upright” by God is caused to suffer much pain and heartache. His wealth is destroyed, his children are killed, and his health is taken from him by God, who says to Satan, the instigator of this tragedy, “[Job] still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.”
Throughout the book, Job searches for answers for the tragedies that befall him. He longs to plead his case to God. Job clings to his righteousness. During his suffering, Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, come to comfort him, but end up rebuking him.
Their logic goes like this: God only afflicts the wicked. You are afflicted. Therefore you must be wicked. » Read the rest of this entry «