Job in the Hebrew Bible - Essay Example

Job in the Hebrew Bible All the Scriptures and texts that were written in the distant past, in the Old Testament and in the Bible were written so that we could learn from what these stories teach us. They were written not only so we could learn and understand, but also so that we will have the hope that it gives, the hope that springs from the strength, endurance and the patience that the characters in the Bible have shown. Personally, my favorite figure from the Hebrew Bible is Job. Indeed, The Book of Job is among the most famous and distinguished parts of scriptural works for the reason that it investigates and delves into several of the deepest and reflective questions people always ask regarding the life they live. Job is the significant and main character in the Book of Job. He is my personal favorite figure in the Hebrew Bible because of the attitude he maintained even throughout the face of sufferings and difficulties that ordinary men would not have been able to have. From the very beginning of the book, Job is described as a righteous and blameless man who pleased God in every way. After every feast his children held, “Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings [according] to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.” (Interlinear Hebrew Bible. Job 1:5) He did everything he could to stay away from all kinds of evil. He was even the greatest man among all the people of the East. He was also extremely wealthy and influential in the land of Uz, where he lived and resided. Because of his character and influence, Satan had come to the Lord’s presence with the angels and conferred with God regarding Job. Satan believed that Job was only faithful and loyal to the Lord because of the wealth and the influence that he had in the area where he lived. Without it, Job would, without hesitation, turn his back to God and would stop serving Him. This challenge of Satan resulted in Job becoming a ‘test’ of faith and loyalty in the Lord. After the Lord had told Satan and given him permission that, “all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand, Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (Interlinear Hebrew Bible. Job 1:12) And so Job’s troubles started pouring. In one day, several servants came to him telling him of the news that all the livestock that he had died. He quickly lost his wealth and even all his ten sons and dauhters, but in spite of this, Job continued to praise God. “Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, and said, ‘Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.’ In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” (Interlinear Hebrew Bible. Job 1:21) Subsequently, Satan conferred once more with the Lord, and again, God gave Satan permission to destroy the health of Job as long as Job’s life will not be taken away. After this, Satan goes to Job and afflicts him with skin sores and boils. By this time, even Job’s wife urges and impulses him to accuse the Lord for all the suffering and to surrender and die. However, Job continues to show his faith in God and refuses to do it, and his wife leaves him. Despite losing everything he has, Job continues to remain loyal to the Lord and he never cursed God. After all this, four of his friends, Bildad, Zophar, Eliphaz, and later on Elihu confronts Job. Again, Job maintains his self-assurance even in the face of of these reproaches and disparagements. In addition to his response, he also says that he knows and is confident that there is one in Heaven who will vouch for his innocence. Finally, the Lord interjects and from a strong tornado, God tells and reminds Job of the power that the Lord has over everything and that mere man cannot fathom His understanding about the universe and how everything works. Dumbfounded by this meeting with the Lord, Job recognizes the power of God and humbles himself down by admitting to himself and to God that he does not have the ability to understand God’s actions for he is only a simple human being. As a result of this very self-effacing reply of Job to God, the Lord is greatly pleased with him. Because of this, Job is rewarded with possessions, children, wealth and influence double the possessions that he had before the ‘test’ of faith began. God gives Job back his health and he goes on to live an exceedingly long and prosperous life. “So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning… (Interlinear Hebrew Bible. Job 42:12) After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons and his sons sons, [even] four generations. So Job died, [being] old and full of days.” (Interlinear Hebrew Bible. Job 42:16-17) Indeed, Job’s life, including all the trials, hardships and sufferings he went through, losing his family, friends, his possessions, his wealth, influence and even his health, showed his undeniable devotion and steadfastness. Not once did he ever curse or accuse God for all the troubles he was facing. Instead, he even continued to praise the Lord and worship him. He remained humble in front of the Lord, acknowledging the limits of man and the unlimited power and authority that the Lord has over everything in this world. Despite his trials, he continued to trust in God and acknowledged that whatever God gives, He can also take away and no man has the right to complain or grumble when blessings stop pouring and when troubles start coming. Job was one of the best examples of true conviction. Sufferings in this world, indeed, are inevitable. No human being in this world can ever escape problems and trials. We all have to face them, but how we deal with them is not the same. Job’s story provides a great example of pure steadfastness. It also provides great hope and inspiration for people going through pain, grief and loss. Furthermore, the Book of Job also answers many questions that people ask all the time about life. The deepest thoughts we have are reflected in this story. Thus, with the incredible story of Job, we can learn many lessons from his actions, his words and the continual faith he had on the Lord. All the morals that were shown in this story rings true even today in the modern times. Many people can relate to the experiences that Job had. For this reason, he is my favorite figure in the Hebrew Bible. Works Cited Sherbok, Dan. The Hebrew Bible. London: Cassell, 1996. Print. Read More