Andrew Barry has a new post up on the Sola Panel where he suggests that Job was written with the intention of encouraging us to pray.

Here’s his final paragraph:

Rather than being just a book about the problem of evil, Job contains a sharp and scary message for would-be theologians. These people actually infuriate God with their endless discussions if they are not men and women of prayer (Job 42:7). Perhaps, at least in part, the message of the book of Job is a word of strengthening to people who pray.

I think he’s onto something; Job really doesn’t give us much to go on if we’re looking for an answer to the problem of evil.

What do others think? Is Job written to strengthen people who pray? And even if it is, are there other just as important things that the writer of Job wants us to understand?

Thanks Gordon,
that’s a really interesting observation and somehow ‘rings true’ of the rest of the bible’s message on suffering. When people are in pain they don’t necessarily want a theological treatise on the subject, but just want what comfort and security they can gain from that greater awareness, that our Father loves us, no matter what.

And what better way is there to be reminded of that than to read His word and pray?

However, there’s all sorts of mini-lectures on the sovereignty and power and mystery of God in Job that I find quite humbling. Anyway, as Gordon said,

What do others think? Is Job written to strengthen people who pray? And even if it is, are there other just as important things that the writer of Job wants us to understand?

I think it is more correct to say that Job was written as an encouragement to people to stand firm in the face of suffering by providing a right understanding of it (ie that it can happen even to those who, like Job, are blameless).

Prayer is obviously a big part of standing firm, but a proper sense of perspective (of the kind given by the last few chapters) about the sovereignty, power and mystery of God are just as important, if not more so.

What concept of prayer would the Israelites have had in Moses’ time? Honest question - what/how would they pray, if at all?

Personally. I’d be wary of reading everything we know about prayer from the NT particularly back into Job.

Also, how legitimate is the different translation that is proposed?

“...it is expedient for us that one man should die for the people, and not that the whole nation should perish.”

I read that one of the themes of Job is ‘scapegoating.’ Apparently there is evidence that Job was an Edomite King. His downfall, like Fanny Mae, meant suffering for everyone - even his ‘three mighty men’, his advisors.

The structure of the book follows the standard Egypt-to-Canaan pattern, the one with snakes in the middle. Here, the snakes are Job’s advisors. As the incarnation of Satan, they want to cut down the tall poppy who failed them. They want him to take the blame so everything can get back to normal.

A French author called Rene Girard wrote about this theme. Rather than take responsibility for their own sins, someone within the society who is bright, successful, envied but somehow a little different, is singled out for exile or death. The innocent target is forced to confess their “crimes against society” and the sad scapegoat hands himself over for slaughter. Everyone feels better once the situation has been resolved, and society can rest until the next invasion, plague or natural disaster, for which a new scapegoat will be found.

Job’s “comforters” tried many times to force a confession from their scapegoat, but the situation wouldn’t resolve. Job was innocent and refused to take the blame. He realised they wanted to “sacrifice” him when he said “He has made me a byword of the people and I have become a public Tophet” (17:6). Tophet was where the Canaanites and apostate Israelites sacrificed their children to Molech, mostly in times of national or communal crisis.

But Job wouldn’t take the blame. As a public spectacle of innocent suffering, he shamed those in power. The wonder of this refusal by an innocent victim to take the blame is that whether he lives or dies, a new culture forms around his testimony. This is why Christian martyrdom expands the kingdom.

I Know That My Avenger Lives

There is a single Hebrew word for “redeemer” or “avenger of blood.” Although Boaz was the famous “kinsman redeemer,” he also had the responsibility of avenging the innocent blood of those in his care. When Job said “I know that my redeemer lives,” he meant that the Lord would avenge him upon his accusers, and he would finally be vindicated. Paul alluded to Job when he spoke of the suffering he endured for the sake of the gospel. He too, knew that he would shortly be vindicated - by the Roman armies.

“For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.” (2 Timothy 1:12 [NKJV])

So there could be a lot more going on in Job than just plain old suffering.

A good question.

If the book is about the problem of eveil (or why do bad things happen to good people), it doesn’t really answer that question.

One commentaor I listen to a lot says the book is about the ‘divine viewpoint.’ Namely, Job wasn’t privy to Ch 1, where God and Satan dialogue over Job’s faithfulness.

So I like the idea that book is about prayer, certainly...and it’s about how God is in control...he has a plan etc. Very encouraging to me.

(Plus it’s got great verses in there about dragons, leviathan etc...!  ;-))

Regards.

Luke Stevens - 19 November 2008 03:22 PM

Also, how legitimate is the different translation that is proposed?

I’d like to hear if someone wants to challenge this proposed translation or suggest alternatives.

See the original proposal http://solapanel.org/article/job_and_prayer/

and more Hebrew language details…
http://solapanel.org/article/comments/job_and_prayer/#1887