Notes on Job
From Walter Brueggamann’s “Introduction to the Old Testament”
· Undated – uses older genres and patterns of speech and fashions them into the most artistic and practical statement of faith in the O.T.
· Challenges the basic premises of Israel’s faith
· Refuses easy resolution
· Composed mostly of lament and hymn, which is pushes to an “emotional, artistic, and theological extremity”
· An immensely sophisticated and artistic work that is removed from any particular historical context or crisis
In “Reading the Bible Again for the First Time”, Marcus Borg says that if we read Job searching for an answer to why good people suffer, we are left unsatisfied and wanting; we get no good answer. But the real question, the primary question the story of Job seeks to answer is the one raised by Lucifer. In the story, God holds Job up for review; puts him on exhibit as his poster child of piety of righteousness. In response, Lucifer throws down the gauntlet and issues his challenge: “Does Job worship God for nothing?” Lucifer’s challenge is carefully crafted because it shifts the focus from Job’s righteousness to God’s worthiness. Notice that he did not accuse Job of anything. Even God said Job was “sinless and upright”. Rather, Lucifer’s accusation raises the question of whether God is worthy of worship simply by virtue of his being God or whether he is only worshipped because he gives blessings and benefits to his worshippers.
This point of view is startling because of the clarity it brings to the story.
1. It shifts the focus from man-centered to God-centered;
2. It makes God the central character rather than Job. The story becomes about God’s righteousness — not Job’s;
3. It shows that Lucifer was not accusing Job of anything, but rather was accusing God of not being worthy of worship. That is why God had to engage the challenge and prove Lucifer wrong.
�
- Posted in : The Book of Job
- Author : admin
Comments»
no comments yet - be the first?