Job Meets Jesus

I have a dream to write books. Several ideas have grown in my head over the last several years and I have attempted at various times to inscribe the pieces of wandering inspiration. However, without significant blocks of time, I probably will never truly attempt these works. However, if I ever do head in that direction, the first book will be one titled "Job Meets Jesus." This will be a study of the lives of Job and Jesus in order to provide a Biblical theodicy for all time. In my note taking, I have written a draft preface in order to set a precursor to my thoughts.

Preface

Few books of the Bible are as unique as the book of Job. Both the characters involved and the format used  have no equal or logical place in the normal progression of Scripture. The story woven from Genesis through Revelation largely traces God’s work through specially chosen people groups (Israel and the church). The book of Job, however, is an enigma with no significant connection to the general theme or tone of a greater purpose in the Bible.

 Extending this unique aspect, the person of Job exists apart from any clear label or placement. He isn’t given a nation, a culture or even a history. He is introduced as a singular individual with material wealth and success. Through events not of his own doing, he is reduced to nothing even though his heart and relationship with God are good. Without our brief glance behind the curtain, we would question along with Job the nature and severity of his suffering.

Since therefore, Job has not label, his story and example remain timeless in application and connection. His suffering could describe a person living in any nation at any time in history. For this reason, Job offers a powerful study into that which is known as theodicy. The word basically applies to any attempt to explain the balance between a world filled with evil and the existence of a sovereign God. For all ages of human history, the greatest and most penetrating question regarding the supposed existence of a powerful God is the apparent disease of widespread suffering and hurt throughout the world.

Almost every person on earth has viewed the two suggested realities and struggled to bring the perceived injustice of a sovereign God and suffering together. This conundrum provides the unbeliever a reason not to believe and challenges the faith of every believer. Thus it remains vital for all people to investigate and offer an answer to suffering in this present world. Whether a person is in suffering right now or not does not matter, no true understanding of God is complete without an answer to suffering.

It is upon this necessity that this book is built. The circumstances of Job provide a timeless look into a life of suffering. Job had everything and lost it all at the hand of God. Juxtaposed against this story is that of Jesus. Jesus had everything and gave it all up in order to suffer. In light of the suffering of Christ, we now can look back at the person of Job with new information. The nature of God is revealed in the life of Christ. And in the suffering of Christ, the problem of sin and trouble is answered. It remains only for us to combine the stories to mine the truths.

This book is not intended to end suffering or to ignore it. However, it is an attempt by a feeble mind to study the lives of two people separated by thousands of years who lost more than many of us ever will. Through the viewfinder of Jesus, we now can understand the life of Job and a connection and answers unavailable to Job at that time. In so doing, we can establish the character and purpose of God in all of history. Upon this basis, we hope to demonstrate a basis of hope that transcends earthly suffering through a greater power than evil.