Deep soul-searching

The Expanded Bible is a revelation to me as I read the book of Job from this version. 

Here is what I've found out so far -  

1. Satan represents the Accuser, the Adversary, the Devil (evil, liar).

2. Job represents honesty, innocency, one who loves and honours God. But is he perhaps personally attached to his good deeds and uprightness? In any case, our protagonist resigns himself to his great losses in chapter one ("The Lord gave...takes away") and even to the painful sores which cover his body in chapter 2 (verse 10: "Should we take only good things from God and not trouble?"). So, when his 3 friends come to visit, they sit with him in silence for 7 days.

3. By chapter 3, however, Job's thought seems to have dipped towards anger, bitterness, self-pity and hopelessness. He ponders some deep questions (verses 20-21): 

“Why is light given to those in misery?
    Why is life given to those who are ·so unhappy [depressed]?
They want to die, but death does not come."

The stage is set for some inner wrestling over age-old questions such as:

a) Where does evil come from?
b) Does God punish?
c) Why do good people suffer?
d) Wouldn't it be easier just to die?
e) If you are suffering, surely you must have sinned.
f) Are we willing to really search for God?
g) Who are we going to listen to? Whose voice can we trust?

Some years ago, Bible scholar Elaine Follis wrote a helpful article titled: THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT JOB . . .. You can read it in the January 28, 2008 issue of the Christian Science Sentinel, where she shares that: 

"As we know it today, the book of Job is probably an anthology, with pieces assembled from various sources. Suggestions as to the date of its composition vary, but widely respected authorities identify the period around the Babylonian Exile, from about 600 until 400 BC, partly because this was a time of deep soul-searching for a nation losing its sovereignty to a foreign power. The story of Job centers around a discussion of theodicy, a theological term that refers to God's justice. When Job's world falls apart—when he loses his property, his family, and ultimately, his physical well-being—he says in effect, "Hey, what's up with this, God?""

So we see that this ancient text is very relevant to us all today.

Julie Swannell