Suffering and Faith in Job

Paper Summary:

This paper takes a close look at each specific section of the Book of Job and then at the book as a whole to examine the issue of Job's suffering and faith. By investigating the nature of each section, the paper attempts to answer some religious questions specific to this text. For example, would a person still be religious if not for the expectation of reward or punishment? The paper maintains that the purpose of the text is to address faith and integrity, rather than suffering. The paper concludes that the text illustrates how one can maintain one's faith and integrity during the most devastating times.

From the Paper:

"With the Epilogue comes the restoration of Job's material and familial wealth. He is given vindication over his narrow-minded friends and granted a long, full life. What about our many questions? Can man remain faithful to a "religion" without the expectation of reward or punishment? With regard to Job's complete immersion in suffering, the answer would appear to be "yes" and "no." We are given an example in which the main character looses everything, suffers, humbles himself, and is then vindication. What would happen in the case of a character who lost everything, suffered, and what never vindicated? In the context of this particular Biblical text, none can understand the will of God. He does what he pleases and because he is our Maker, those actions are justified."

Sample of Sources Used:

• Coogan, Michael D. Ed. The Oxford Annotated Bible, Third Edition. Oxford UP, New York: 2001.
• Freehof, Solomon B. Book of Job: A Commentary. Union of American Hebrew Congregations, New York: 1958.
• McKeating, Henry. "The Central Issue of the Book of Job." ExpTim. 1971.
• Pope, Marvin H. The Anchor Bible: Job. Doubleday, New York: 1965.
• Steinmann, Andrew E. "The Structure and Message of the Book of Job." Vetus Testamentum. Jan 1996.

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