Book of Job is it an Allegory?

Timmy · #1 07-31-2009, 08:53 AM

I think a lot of stories are inspired by real events, and Job could be one of those. Perhaps there was a very good man who was very well off, but suddenly struck with tragedy, perhaps with friends who tried to explain it, and maybe a wife who told him to curse God and die, etc. etc. Someone padded the story with God bragging about Job and Satan challenging Him and several chapters of God bragging about Himself and belittling Job, when Job was at the lowest point of his life. (And what are we to learn of God's character from this?

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Esther · #2 07-31-2009, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

I think a lot of stories are inspired by real events, and Job could be one of those. Perhaps there was a very good man who was very well off, but suddenly struck with tragedy, perhaps with friends who tried to explain it, and maybe a wife who told him to curse God and die, etc. etc. Someone padded the story with God bragging about Job and Satan challenging Him and several chapters of God bragging about Himself and belittling Job, when Job was at the lowest point of his life. (And what are we to learn of God's character from this?

)

Your idea of the Word of God being inspired by God is sure different from mine.

Timmy · #3 07-31-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

Your idea of the Word of God being inspired by God is sure different from mine.

Of course. But, inspired or not, literal or not: what are we to learn about God's character from this? Did I characterize the story wrong somehow? Did God brag about Job in chapter 1? Did He brag about himself for several chapters near the end? Did he belittle Job? Was Job at a low point?

Esther · #4 07-31-2009, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

Of course. But, inspired or not, literal or not: what are we to learn about God's character from this? Did I characterize the story wrong somehow? Did God brag about Job in chapter 1? Did He brag about himself for several chapters near the end? Did he belittle Job? Was Job at a low point?

"Someone padded the story with God bragging about Job and Satan challenging Him and several chapters of God bragging about Himself and belittling Job, when Job was at the lowest point of his life. (And what are we to learn of God's character from this? )"

This was your post. I bolded the part I have a problem with. Plus I would not say He was bragging.

Timmy · #5 07-31-2009, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

"Someone padded the story with God bragging about Job and Satan challenging Him and several chapters of God bragging about Himself and belittling Job, when Job was at the lowest point of his life. (And what are we to learn of God's character from this? )"

This was your post. I bolded the part I have a problem with. Plus I would not say He was bragging.

Ah, I see. Well, the "someone" could be God!

Not bragging? What would you say He was doing, then, talking about how He, and not Job, created everything etc.?

Esther · #6 07-31-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Timmy

Ah, I see. Well, the "someone" could be God!

Not bragging? What would you say He was doing, then, talking about how He, and not Job, created everything etc.?

I took it He was just stating facts.

Timmy · #7 07-31-2009, 04:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Esther

I took it He was just stating facts.

Every see Alias Smith and Jones? I think that was the show where some old gunslinger keeps saying "no brag, just fact". After bragging of his gunslinging abilities, of course!