The book of Job reveals the struggle within us to understand how God acts and moves. An ancient concept of God---and one we still utilize today---is that God blesses the righteous and punishes the wicked. This is the understanding Job has and why he questions what happens to him. It is the understanding Job's friends have and why they are certain Job must have done something wicked to "earn" the punishment that has befallen him.
As we journey through this story of Job's---a fictional story that wrestles with theology--- we are confronted with many of our own questions: Why do bad things happen to good people? Does God care about justice? Where is God in the midst of suffering? Throughout Scripture, we are presented with different answers and understandings to these questions, and as followers of the Way, we are responsible for working out our own understanding. This may be an understanding that changes throughout our life and study.
From the Psalmist today, we do hear thoughts on these questions: "The LORD sets the prisoners free; the LORD opens the eyes of the blind. The LORD lifts up those who are bowed down; the LORD loves the righteous. The LORD watches over the strangers; he upholds the orphan and the widow, but the way of the wicked he brings to ruin." (Psalm 146: 7-9) How does Job's story reflect or negate these verses? What does our own story, our own experiences, have to say to these verses?
What do you think? Theology: Faith seeking understanding.
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