Part 2 of 7 of the theme 'Lessons from the Bible book of Job' by Gijs van den Brink
Most sermons and literature on the book of Job argue that Job's suffering should be seen as a trial, as a test. But what is actually the major theme of the book of Job? Who or what is being tested here? Is that 1. Job suffering innocently? Or is that
2. the retributive principle, that God punishes sin and rewards justice? Or is it
3. Is God fair and just in His judgment and direction of Job's life? Is God just in the way He deals with people?
The theme in the book of Job can be imagined as a triangle with three subjects, which are in constant play:
1. The just government of God, 2. The justice and goodness of Job, and 3. The retributive principle. Those who are righteous are rewarded; those who sin are punished.
The retaliatory principle
Job's friends defend the retributive principle. That is, some form of it. The Bible certainly teaches divine retribution. The righteous is blessed, the sinner receives misfortune and suffering (e.g., in Psalm 1).
But Job's friends draw the wrong conclusion from this. They reverse the Biblical principle and say: he who experiences prosperity is a righteous one, and he who suffers or is sick in a special way has sinned.
The friends Elifaz, Bildad and Sofar all three defend the retributive principle, but the reasons they give differ. Elifaz is a mystic and spiritualist and speaks from his own spiritual experiences (4:8, 12-16; 5:3). Bildad is a traditionalist (8:8), who relies mainly on what has been handed down to him, what he has been told. Sofar is a rationalist, arguing from reason and logic.
But more importantly, all three of them are accomplices of the accuser, of Satan! If Job were to act on their ideas, then Satan would be proved right in his accusation. Then it would be shown that God's way of dealing with man would be wrong, as Satan claimed. Satan argued that Job lives righteously only because he is materially blessed (1:9-10).
Next time: Is God righteous or Job?
See also: Part 1 of 7 of the theme 'Lessons from the Bible book of Job' Battle between God and Satan
Author: Gijs van den Brink
From: Study Bible Magazine
This is part 2 of 7 concise blog on the topic "Lessons from the Bible Book of Job" from Study Bible Magazine, Some of which we will be posting online in the near future. We hope this will help you understand the Bible better!
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