What do we do with the book of Job?
In scripture we have parables and stories, we have poetry and narrative, there are things that happen, things that might happen, and prophecies and visions. Are all of them inspired by God but we don’t read all of them the same way.
So, what if we read Job as a parable?
Parables are stories that may or may not have literally happened, but are true in what they teach us and invite us into. Parables were a common device in Jewish culture used to teach and challenge. Nathan the prophet told King David a parable to help open David’s eyes to the injustice David had committed. The book of Job even opens with a formula similar to other parables, “There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” And Job fits the general purpose of a parable: Parables are difficult stories designed to invite discussion and thought. Parables, stories designed to teach us and challenge us. And what the book of Job presents to us, what the book invites us think about and consider, is definitely challenging.
The main question of Job is sometimes phrased as, why do bad things happen to good people? One commentator puts it this way, “the book of Job is a profound meditation on the mystery of suffering and the nature of God.”
Through the book of Job, God helps us struggle with the reality of suffering and this book, this parable, is a beautiful gift from God. It is also difficult and in the coming weeks there will be no easy or straightforward answers.
So today, I’m going to ease us in and lift up one takeaway from this prologue section to Job.
(1) We all have our tipping points but we don’t have to stay tipped over.
Satan looks at God and says, “Skin for skin! All that people have they will give to save their lives.” In chapter one, Job lost his livestock and his family and still he stayed firm in the assurances of God’s presence and love. Now, Satan wants to push the envelope, take it one step further. He basically says, Job has a tipping point, and I’m gonna find it. I think, part of the message of Job is that some things will bowl us over but we don’t have to stay down. Somethings come along that will rock us and we may tip over, and that’s ok, but we don’t have to stay there.
Part of the story of Job is that his faith got him through so much, death of livestock, loss of family, and then personal pain and injury, but when he does tip over (and spoiler alert, he will in future chapters), he doesn’t cling to the right things. When tipped over, he will cling to the unhealthy advice of his friends, he will anchor himself in the sorrow and pain he feels, and he will just kept spiraling.
Suffering and difficulties are a part of life. You will arrive at tipping points and you may tip over. That is ok. Tipping over doesn’t mean your faith is weak and it doesn’t you’re a bad person. It just means you’re human but we do need tools at hand to help us get back up again. We can be proactive in good times so when we encounter something difficult, we have what we need to bring us back up again.
So, this week, savor the good moments, make preparations, make a reminder of God’s faith, presence, and love for when the difficult times come. Maybe it is having scripture on index cards in your car, in your wallet, or in your purse. Maybe it’s setting meaningful scripture as reminder notifications on your phone or as your Home Screen. It could be surrounding yourself with pictures of friends and family or keeping something tangible with you at all times, like a cross or prayer beads or rosary. Whatever it is, there is something that could be meaningful to you and remind you of the Good News, that God’s presence and love are with us come what may.
This week, do some work ahead of time so when you do tip over, you can more easily grab the hand God offers you and get back up again. Amen.