Are you ready for a question? Maybe you have thought about it. Maybe you wonder what I am talking about. Maybe you wonder if I have been in the rhubarb again. The question is, “Is the book of Job history or a parable?” Is it a literal event that took place in a land called Uz or is it a story written to explore the problem of evil?
If you are a five point Calvinist then you have to believe it is a parable. Consider the first verse,
(Job 1:1 NAS77) There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job, and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God, and turning away from evil.
I say that because such a person could not exist in their theology.
I meddle.
Back to the question at hand. I go back and forth on this. I don’t think the book itself gives us the answer. I don’t think the answer changes the message of validity of the message. The arguments are true either way.
As I began to read Job it struck me that this must be some kind of parable. If you have a Bible handy read through the opening scene of the book. Look down to verses 6-7.
(Job 1:6-7 NAS77) Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?" Then Satan answered the LORD and said, "From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it."It doesn’t go into much detail but I get the idea of the classical stereotype of God as an old man with a long beard sitting on a throne with others gathered around. It is a nice picture but it doesn’t fit the actual statements about God such as,
(Joh 4:24 NAS77) "God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."and
(1Jn 1:5 NAS77) And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.Then you have the understanding that God is not just your everyday deity. He is a bit more awesome than that. Solomon understood this thousands of years ago.
(2Ch 6:18 NAS77) "But will God indeed dwell with mankind on the earth? Behold, heaven and the highest heaven cannot contain Thee; how much less this house which I have built.Think about what it would have been like in the presence of God as it is described in Job. I think the story is given in order for us to understand the events that are going to happen. I don’t think our minds could wrap themselves around the visual of Almighty God in conference with the Angle of Light.
I could be wrong. As they say, you are entitled to your opinion no matter how wrong it is.
homo unius libri
This leads me to one of my biggest problems and a fearsome possibility. My daily devotions begin with the Lord's Prayer and the line "Lead me not into temptation" raises the idea of bargaining or game playing. Very upsetting to me. Julia
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought of it that way but I see what you mean. I tend to think of it as me sharing with God my willingness to be obedient. Although Moses and Abraham seemed to bargain with God I don't think that is to recommend it with me.
ReplyDeleteThere are times when I have been so frustrated that I find myself yelling at God. The great thing is that He knows our hearts and is quick to forgive.
Grace and peace