A question about Job...?

Question

As most people know, according to the story in the Bible, Job's entire family died, he lost all his wealth and was afflicted with a horrible sickness just so God could win a bet with Satan.  At the end of it all, God gives him a new family, wealth, and health as a reward for being so good and faithful. 

Doesn't this scenario strike anybody else as being really wrong?  Is Job really supposed to not be sad about his old wife and family because he has a new one?  Is it fair to his old wife and family to die for a measly bet?  How can people think that "God made it OK" by giving him a brand new family, as if it were as easy to replace a family as it is a worn-out car? 

Any thoughts?

P.S. I know there are other interpretations of this text.  I'm asking specifically those people who take the story at face value, the way I was taught it should be regarded when I was a Christian.

cattbarf · Accepted Answer

Job is a book in the Scriptures.  The premise of the book is strange, but the point to stress is that SATAN NEVER DID ANYTHING THAT GOD DID NOT APPROVE OF IN ADVANCE.  It's amazing how many Christians overlook this.

Also, the premise leads to the more important part, the lengthy discussions of Job with the three travelers about why there is misfortune.  And finally, there is the position of God, that mankind is NOT privy to God's will.  

The happy ending just is used to wrap up the story, and no deep philosoph.ical lesson is to be inferred from it.  However, there are people who do rally from disaster, and go on to live a fruitful  life with their new family.   Two presidents had situations like that in their lives:  Theodore Roosevelt lost both his wife and mother on the same day, and Woodrow Wilson lost his wife while he was President.

Tricia R · Answer

More christian family values.  

Isn't it amazing?  They read into that story whatever they want to and do not see what you have mentioned.  The loving god - I really don't know where anyone sees any love in that story or that god for that matter.

Anonymous · Answer

Yah, if God was all powerful, couldn't he do something better than just replacing his family? Like bring his family back from the dead? Zombies, fun! 

Sorry, I'm not taking your question very seriously, am I? I think there are better interpretations out there than taking it literally.

Dana C · Answer

I can defiantely see where you are coming from, but at the same time, Job being a man of God knew the time will come when he will get to see ALL his family during the resurrection on paradise earth :-)

Anonymous · Answer

I really don't think you got the real meaning of Job.He loved God with all his heart. I have to say his friend did  put God down a lot and God was very proud of Job what he had said.

saintrose · Answer

If you take into account the Mormon Church is true and is the same as the the Church was back then, you will believe his family was sealed to him forever and that he lost them only on this earth and they were all saved to heaven where he has them now. Thus giving him both family's.

Bartthollemew · Answer

I think the point behind it is that no matter what kind of hideous grief can befall us, we are never truly cursed by God, and even if  it is no real substitution for the things we lost in the first place, God can give us back the things we need.

and_y_knot · Answer

Yes, I agree, there are lots of things in the Old Testament that are troublesome to some degree.  But that doesn't keep me from loving the story of Solomon :-).

Anonymous · Answer

Don't just phone. Go to a prospective work place in person. Also, dress how you would if you were going to start working there right when you walk in. Be confident in the interview, and look the interviewer in the eye.

asgodintended · Answer

I think your perception of time may have you thinking there was no time to grieve.

Also, the other calamities that Satan was allowed to unleashed on him may have been a distraction.

Trending News

A question about Job...?

13 Answers