READ IT! - Introduction to Job 34-40

Readings for this week

Monday: Job 34
Tuesday: Job 35
Wednesday: Job 36
Thursday: Job 37
Friday: Job 38
Saturday: Job 39
Sunday: Job 40

Introduction to Job 34-40

Chapters 34-37 

Job’s friends all have their own opinions about why Job is suffering the way he is. They continue to take turns trying to come up with explanations. 

Elihu’s Perspective (The Voice of the Wisdom Tradition) 

Elihu was angry with Job and his three friends. He said, "It is unthinkable that God would do wrong. Can one who hates justice govern? God shows no partiality. Job speaks like the wicked! Even if you are righteous, what do you give to God? He does not answer because of the pride of evil men. You must wait for him! I have more to say on God's behalf. He is mighty but does not despise any. Who is a teacher like him? Remember to extol his work! God thunders with his voice. By the breath of God, ice is made. Do you know his wondrous works? He is great in power and justice!" 

Chapters 38-39 

God’s Perspective 

In the end, when everybody has had their chance to speak, God speaks. God speaks out of a whirlwind. When God speaks, we find out that God has questions for Job. 

Chapter 40

Job said, "I have no answer."

The LORD said, "Will you condemn me? Behold now, Behemoth (mythical chaos monster of the land), which I made. Can anyone pierce his nose?"

Chaos monsters represent the chaos of an incomplete universe. They are not necessarily evil, but they do need to be tamed… and God is their tamer. He shapes their wildness and randomness into harmony with his purposes for Creation.