When asking people what the meaning of the Book of Job is, the answer is rapidly given in simplistic terms, “the patience of Job.” Patience has been one of the more explicit meanings taught by the Book of Job. Popular teachings and conceptions force people to believe that through all of the suffering endured by Job, he ma

For the more insightful readers of the bible, the question that should be raised about the Book of Job is the concept of retributive justice. Retributive justice is the straightforward concept of getting what you deserve. If a man acts according to the rules, then he will be rewarded with prosperity and health. If a man acts unjustly, or against the rules he will be poverty stricken and unhealthy. By using conversations between Job and his three friends, retributive justice is effectively debated in front of the reader. Throughout the story, Job’s friends remain firm in their belief of retributive justice and rebuke Job for his actions. Their belief is that God must have a reason for punishing Job, and they have no place in questioning the authority of God. Job, on the other hand refuses to accept that God is just in punishing him. Job even exclaims, “Know then that God has dealt unfairly with me and compassed me round with his net” (Job 19, 530). Job knows that throughout his lifetime he has remained a faithful servant to God, and did nothing to earn a pain stricken life. Additionally, since the readers know that The Satan played a large role in placing the mishaps on Job, readers are stifled as to what role God plays in retributive justice. Does God make sure that good people are treated well, and that bad people are treated badly?

Additionally, the question of theodicy is another relevant question about the Book of Job that insightful readers should raise. How can evil exist in a world with a good God is the question of theodicy. Many people wonder how the go

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