Elihu: The Man That Critiqued The Most Righteous Man In The Bible

Line of Fire » Blog Archive » April 29, 2010

Dr Michael  Brown debated Bart Ehrman a couple of weeks ago on whether or not the Bible adequately explains why people suffer. On his Line of Fire  broadcast, Dr. Brown attempts to further the discussion. It's real interesting! My only complaint is that I disagree what Job challenged God and accused him of doing anything wrong. I see it as Job strongly questioning. what is happening to him and not trying to hold God accountable.  This was a great a program!

Line of Fire » Blog Archive » April 29, 2010

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

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Suffering of Job and Divine Justice - Part 1

Dr. Mariottini has posted a great essay outlining and exegeting the Book of Job. He does a wonderful job. The article spotlights the point that Job is a problem for anyone who wants to claim that God does not allow bad things to happen unless you deserve it. Bad things do happen to good people and God knows about it and He does allows it. He has reasons for it. But the story does present a problem for a lot people and it speaks directly to the philosophical "problem of evil". I find it immensely regrettable that folks try to explain this by trying to find some sin or something Job did wrong to deserve what happened to him when as Mariottini points out you can't do that because God said Job was blameless. I mean the story starts out with that information. The rest of the book should be interpreted with that in view. This is a great example of really reading a book for all its worth - and there is still more there...being the Book of Job is sooo deep. Read this great article at the post below. I can't wait for part 2!

Dr. Claude Mariottini - Professor of Old Testament: The Suffering of Job and Divine Justice - Part 1