No more misery for Job

Where to begin? First of all, I thought that the beginning of Job's misfortunes were poorly justified and I found it hard to believe that someone like God, would be so influenced by someone like Satan. There were many things that surprised me in Job's story. First of all, Job's friends were very different from what I had expected them to be. I think that friends should encourage you to do right and be there for you during hardships. What Job lived through is not easy, and although his friends were there to "comfort" him, all they did was make things worse. The way that Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz react to Job's punishments are far from what they should have said and done. The first thing that came to my attention was all the time they just sat next to Job, "So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great." (Job 2:13) After thinking about it for some time, I thought that this was just useless. If the three of them were any bit concerned for Job's well being they should have gotten up and while Job mourned, they could have brought him new cattle or re-built his home. Instead, they claim that if Job had not done something of such magnitude, he wouldn't be receiving such a punishment. Also, his friends even claim that Job should receive even worse punishments and that what he was getting now was not enough to make up for what he had done. I thought about this and the only thing I came up with an idea that would justify this behavior coming from his friends: they were scared this might happen to them too so they decide to be on God's side. Now, they were not loyal to Job and they kept on insisting that God was being too nice with him. After I realized this, I understood them and although I do not agree with the way the acted towards Job, I do think that they did it only looking for their own redemption.

The first time I went over Job, I didn't understand his reactions or that of his friends. I was actually a little bored and I felt that Job was naive, and let all this happen to him without doing anything to stop it. Then, when we compared all the misfortunes that happened to Job with the events that took place in Elie Weisel's life, I began to look at it with different eyes. I couldn't understand why it was that Satan wanted to punish Job. Then, just as I realized with Job's friends, I saw that Satan just wanted to prove himself to God. Satan wanted to show his power and all the things he could do. Now, I would like to say that if Satan had any issues with God, he should have solved them with God directly and not with a human victim in the middle, especially one that is so "righteous."

When God finally says to Job that he will give him everything back, it sounded like an angry parent scolding his child and then spoiling him or feeling guilty for the punishment and then rewarding the child. Although it was a little different with Job, his issues with God were very serious. I thought that the arguments God used to "educate" Job on his power, were actually comical. I kept thinking of this problem I have with ignorance and I thought that if I were God, I would've had a similar speech only I would not have used it under the same circumstances. In that case, if I were God, I would've been more understanding and not so presumptuous with Job.

However, the end gave me the idea that Job lived happily with his new family after the tragedy, "42:16 After this lived Job an hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations. 42:17 So Job died, being old and full of days." This ending is hopeful and I'm glad I changed my mind on Job in the end.