A question arose during a discussion with friends regarding the Book of Job and I think it's an important question. It's also a question that is debated in regard to all scripture, and that question is "Is it TRUE?"
It's often argued the Scripture is allegory. Others say it's entirely literal. Personally I think it's far more literal than not. However, I also believe a thing can be both, simultaneously... double layered and multifaceted.
While the book in question is generally considered to be a didactic poem set in prose form, and not literally true, who's to say for sure?
John Gill (who I happen to agree with more often than not) has the following to say about The Book of Job. (see next post)
"Though all good men are afflicted. Yet sooner or later they are delivered out of their afflictions; and that it becomes them to bear them patiently, and not murmur at them; nor complain of God on account of them, whose ways and works are unsearchable, and who gives no account of his matters to men, but is sovereign, wise, and just, in all he does; and whatsoever is done by him issues in the good of his people, as well as in his own glory, as the event shows. This book may be considered either as an history of the life of Job, in which an account is given of him in his prosperity; of his afflictions, and how they came upon him; of a visit paid him by his friends, and of the discourses that pass between him and them, and of his restoration to greater affluence than he enjoyed before: or as a drama or dialogue consisting of divers parts, and in which various speakers are introduced, as God, Satan, Job, his wife, and friends; or as a dispute, in which Job's three friends are the opponents, himself the respondent, Elihu the moderator, and God the umpire, who settled and determined the point in question. It contains many useful things in it concerning the Divine Being, and the perfections of his nature, his wisdom, power, justice, goodness, and sovereignty; concerning the works of creation and providence; concerning original sin, and the corruption of mankind; concerning redemption by Christ, and good works to be done by men; and concerning the resurrection of the dead, and eternal life."
This is a powerful story, regardless of whether you see it as literally true or not. There is no evidence that this man, Job, truly existed or that this is a "true story" in the most literal sense. Yet it hardly matters because the story is nonetheless TRUE.
No matter what we face in life and no matter our losses and sufferings, consider Job. Also consider God's words to him. Some say the story is depressing and it bums them out or makes them sad. Well, folks, that's life. Think about it. That's life. We can suffer the loss of spouses and parents and even children but CONSIDER JOB. And then consider the end of the story. In the end, God repays Job for all his losses. Still doesn't sound FUN? Yeah, well... I figure Job would agree. His losses were painful. But God is all powerful, all knowing and full of compassion and in the end, when it's all said and done, God WILL repay all our losses and twice over. No, MORE than twice over.
Perhaps the story is merely parabolic. Yet if so, it diminishes the meaning and the TRUTH of the story not one bit.
Consider Job. Consider how many people suffer in this world, both past and present. If you've suffered loss, perhaps you think it doesn't help to consider those who have lost more. Our personal losses often seem to us to be worse than the losses of others. Yet here is a man who lost everything. And many many people do lose everything. Not just one spouse or one child or two parents but tremendous loss that I pray to God I never have to experience.
This is a powerful story. A great read. If you haven't read it, you really should.
The Book of Job
A song by Mark Altrogge that acknowledges God’s unfailing majesty and character even in our sadness, sorrow or days of difficulty.
