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Profile:
Name: Book of Job
Author: unknown
Dates: between 7th and 2nd centuries BCE
Book of Job:
Job, both the character and the book
that takes his name, are among the most famous in the Old Testament. It was
written some time between the 7th and 2nd centuries BCE, probably by a citizen of
the northern kingdom of Israel.
The basic story involves a pious man, Job, who has done no wrong and is in no way blameworthy. Satan (in Hebrew ha-Satan, "the Accuser" or "the Adversary") challenged God, arguing that Job wouldn't be so righteous if life weren't so pleasant for him. Step by step, God allows Satan to destroy Job's life - taking away his possessions, killing his entire family (along with servants), and afflicting him with awful diseases.
Throughout, Job remains faithful to God. But, at the end, when Job asks why he must endure so much, God appears to him and basically says "I created everything, so who are you to question what happens?" Job repents for asking so many questions and he gets back more than was lost, but God never apologizes.
It is important to realize that this represented a change in how suffering was viewed. Earlier prophets traditionally showed suffering as a punishment from God for those who fail to live righteous lives. However, that is obviously not the case with Job - in fact, his suffering despite is righteousness is the point of the story. However, part of the point at the end is that it is pointless to question such things because the power of God is simply so overwhelming that we cannot hope to comprehend why anything really happens. Instead, we should simply have faith.
Also Known As: none
Alternate Spellings: none
Common Misspellings: none
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