Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Suffering of Job and Divine Justice - Part 2

Here is part 2 of Dr. Claude Mariottini's insights into the Book of Job. He did an awesome Job. He really mines the text for all it is worth. Face it, the fundamental question of the book is "Why?" Why do good people suffer? Why is there evil? Some folks say that the book dodges the question, yet God does answer only no one really likes the answer. It's a gift of God to accept the answer and say "Amen!" - "So be it!!" I've got to quote Mariottini a couple of times because it so so poignant.

The theology of Job’s friends was not all wrong, but neither was their theology right enough to explain Job’s suffering. Notwithstanding their words of wisdom, Job’s suffering continued. Thus, in the end, human wisdom could not bring the healing or the answers Job was so desperately seeking.

I think Mariottini has hit the nail on the head as to what God's purpose in all of this this is...in part. I've come to the same conclusion.

God’s purpose was not only to heal Job, but also to instruct him. God asked Job several rhetorical questions which were beyond human capability of answering.

God not only instructs Job but us. I for one would rather read and understand these lessons rather than experience them as Job did. Job's response is the same response we should all have.

At the end of God’s encounter with Job, Job humbly repented of his presumption, that he could contend with God. He also repented of his pride in seeing only himself while failing to recognize that God’s purpose for his life was much more than he could understand. He bowed in recognition of his insignificance before his sovereign Lord.

There is one theological point that I think is really important to point out. Some people have tried to argue that the concept of physical resurrection is alien to the Hebrew Bible. This is not true. I was reminded of this because Mariottini quotes the passage and it's one of my favorites from Job.

 ²⁵ I know that my Redeemer  lives,
       and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
 ²⁶ And after my skin has been destroyed,
       yet  in my flesh I will see God;
- Job 19:25-26

I cannot emphasize it enough. Job's redeemer is our redeemer - Jesus Christ!!!

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Suffering of Job and Divine Justice - Part 2