Can someone give me the basic idea in Job?

Question

And the morals etc. that stem from it?

I'm not doing this to question people's beliefs, I just need a logical answer for my literature class.

Answer 1

being a good person does not mean god won't turn your life upside down. and when he does, it isn't your place to ask why.

Answer 2

ONE of the oldest books of the inspired Scriptures! A book that is held in the highest esteem and that is often quoted, yet one that is little understood by mankind. Why was this book written, and what value does it have for us today? The answer is indicated in the meaning of Job’s name: “Object of Hostility.” Yes, this book takes up two important questions: Why do the innocent suffer? Why does God permit wickedness in the earth? We have the record of Job’s suffering and his great endurance for our consideration in answering these questions.

Job has become synonymous with patience and endurance. The Christian writer James points to Job’s example of endurance. Only a true-life example, not a fictitious one, would carry weight, convincing worshipers of God that integrity can be maintained under all circumstances.

According to The New Encyclopædia Britannica, the book of Job often is “counted among the masterpieces of world literature.” However, the book is much more than a literary masterpiece. Job is outstanding among the books of the Bible in exalting Jehovah’s power, justice, wisdom, and love. It reveals most clearly the primary issue before the universe. It illuminates much that is said in other books of the Bible, especially Genesis, Exodus, Ecclesiastes, Luke, Romans, and Revelation.

Job was a remarkable man of integrity! He had no way of knowing that he was being made the target of Satan’s wicked challenge. This emphasizes his integrity all the more because even though he believed that all his suffering was from God, still he would not deny God or curse him. What a lesson for us, since we do know the source of the tests of our integrity! Surely, we should be moved to imitate Job’s example and go forward in God's work regardless of anything God’s Adversary can bring against us.

By his integrity-keeping course Job was, in effect, declaring to the entire universe, ‘Satan, you are a despicable liar, because Jehovah is my God, and I shall keep integrity to him come what may!’

Answer 3

The basic idea is that you are to bow down to God and accept whatever He throws at you and thank Him for all of it, good or bad.
It's sort of like the scene in "Animal House" where Kevin Bacon takes a whack on the a** from the frat leader and says, "Thank you sir, may I have another?"
It's also a thing between God and the Devil doing a one-upmanship over a helpless mortal.
Personally, I would not have been very flattered over such attention, but then again, it was some dude named Job over a couple thousand years ago, and the moral is, accept whatever God gives you.

Lame, I agree.

Answer 4

I will try to answer in the same vein as your question was asked... the basic ideas of the book for your class:

The book of Job is poetic and uses descriptive imagery over the course of what can be called twelve scenes. The main issue is Job's afflictions.

On the surface, the book seems to deal with the human struggle to understand how "bad" things can happen to a "good" person (in this case someone earnestly seeking to please his God). God pointed out Job to Satan (aka: the "Devil") noting how he was upright in all his ways. Satan challenged God, insinuating Job only served Him due to special favor. He was blessed with many children, was very wealthy and was esteemed of his countrymen. Satan was allowed to test Job with afflictions (loss of all children and wealth in a single day, followed by sickness of boils). Job's friends told him he must have done something to displease God and should repent. To this, Job asserts his innocence. His wife was bitter towards God and said he should "curse God and die." Job did eventually complain, but he remained faithful in his trusting God through all problems even though he did not understand the reason for them. In the end, God restored Job with more of everything than what he had at the beginning of the book.

Suggested morals can be:
1) Satan (evil) is malignant in this world and affects all human life.
2) Suffering is sometimes used within a devine plan as a means to perfect human character.
3) Although we may seek understanding in this life, wisdom may not be found apart from God (see below).

Job 28:28
"And he said to man, 'The fear of the Lord- that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.' "

Answer 5

Here is Job in a nutshell:

No matter what suffering you see someone endure, don't blame it on something that they have done. You really have no idea why they are going through what they are going through. The Lord may never reveal His reasons for what we go through on earth until much later; best not to speculate. So when you see people blame 9/11 on this or that or someone's illness on this or that remember that we are arrogant fools if we presume to know why what happened happened.

Basically, Job went through unimaginably bad things (loss of kids, house, wealth and health) and his friends came and picked on him about it and told him that if he'd just repent he'd come out okay. Job keeps telling them that he didn't do anything wrong and demands to plead his case before God. God shows up and basically says, I'm God, you're not. Stop questioning me. In the end, it is Job's friends who have to repent; their arrogance is what was truly the sin.

I realize I'm making Job sound really hokey --- it's actually my favorite book; the biggest page turner in the Bible. Check it out for yourself!

Answer 6

The best way to understand Job (in my opinion) is as subversive drama. First you have to understand that the dominant attitude of the Judean culture was: if we do good and follow the Torah, God will bless us; if we sin and don't follow the Torah, God will punish us. That works up to a point, it's sort of like saying actions have consequences. But then people have a way of looking at others who are suffering and saying, "well that person must have sinned." The WHOLE point of Job is to say, "Yeah, God rewards the faithful and punishes the unfaithful...BUT once upon a time there was this man from Uz whose name was Job..." What do you do about him? He was righteous, and yet he suffered? What do you say about that?

Job is all about questioning the basic underpinnings of societal assumptions, especially when they have a tendency to dehumanize.

Peace to you.

Answer 7

Job is basically about how God says that nothing can make Job's faith waver like how we should be. And after many days and trials Job talks to God 1 on 1

Answer 8

Worship god no matter what happens. Obey blindly. Do not think about your beliefs, or he and his goon will kill you. Thinking is bad.