the book of Job...

...is on my mind today. I read the book of Job last week while I was down with my back. I am reading a book called "The Bible Jesus Read" by Philip Yancey.

 It was given to me over a year ago as a going away gift from my friend in Nevada. The bible Jesus read was, in fact, The Old Testament! I had never really thought about that!
Chapter 2 is about the book of Job. Job is SEEMINGLY about pain and suffering-unjustified, undeserved. There is an odd parallel to Jesus's suffering on the cross. -also unjustified and undeserved.
But as I read on and read Yancey's take on this book-it was stated and made clear that the book of Job isn't really about pain and suffering at all. It's about whether or not a faithful servant of God would remain faithful when there was absolutely no personal gain in doing so. When he felt that God himself had forsaken him, would he stand on the truth that he never will. It's hard to swallow the actions in this book, but it really makes you think...................................
Another part of this that really makes me ponder is that the things his "friends" were saying were all things that seemed legit! God would never allow this type of thing to happen to someone that was walking in His favor...doesn't that seem true? I mean....God would offer favor, protection, etc. if Job really was free of any sin. But, as Yancey says, God was actually staking quite a bit on His confidence in Job's faith.

If you haven't read the book of Job....read it....I'd like to hear what you have to say. Be prepared to feel anger and a sense of unfairness on Job's behalf....and a questioning of "WHY" directed toward God.
In my husband's words..."it's really makes me feel angry, it seems like a game".
 Hmmmmm.....
The book of Job also addresses the question of whether or not we have the right to question God....who are we, after all. But question Him Job does. Read the outcome.