WORSHIP AND SUFFERING IN JOB

The book of Job, a work of the wisdom literature of the Jews, is both majestic and difficult. The story itself is simple, but what does the author really want to teach in this narrative? It all begins when "one day the angels came to present themselves to the LORD, and Satan also came with them". Then God said to him, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (Job 1:6-8).  

Satan then spoke to God: "Does Job fear God for nothing?... You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face" (Job 1:9-11). So God gave Satan permission to do so and Job lost all his wealth and children. But Job's reaction was as follows: "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing" (Job 1:6-22).  

On another occasion, the angels came to present themselves to the Lord, and Satan came with them. Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job?... he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason" (Job 2:3). Then Satan said, "A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face" (Job 2:1-4). 

The LORD then allowed this to happen, but that his life might be spared. Thus Job was afflicted with terrible wounds, from the sole of his feet to the top of his head. His wife, seeing his condition, said: "Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die! He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said" (Job 2:6-10).  

From that point on, that is, from chapter three to thirty-seven, the narrative continues by showing a dialogue of Job with some friends. These make him suffer even more, for they affirm that he is going through that suffering because of sin (Job 4:7-8). Job, however, claims that he is not. He understands that he is suffering unjustly and defends himself: "Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong.... Is there any wickedness on my lips? (Job 6:24,30). At one point he curses the day of his birth (Job 3:1-4) and complains that God treats him with injustice (Job 9:28-35). The story ends with a discourse from God, in which He acknowledges the righteousness of Job and heals him and still restores "twice everything he had before".  

From the above summary it can be seen that the first relevant issue dealt with in this biblical book concerns worship of God. It is known that the figure of Satan is enigmatic and that he has a desire to be worshipped as God. This can be observed, for example, in the temptation of Christ (Matthew 4:8). Here it is observed that he doubted Job's godliness when he said that he was only integral before God because he was blessed. In doing so, Satan questions whether God is worthy of worship simply because he is God or because of his glory and majesty. Can one worship the Creator without expecting anything in return? Yes. The narrative shows this, as well as the jealousy that Satan has of God.  

Another issue evident in Job is the suffering of the just. Job's friends talk about the notion of retribution, that is, his suffering was the consequence of sin. They say: "As I have observed, those who plow evil and those who sow trouble reap it." (4:8). Yes, it is true: sin is a source of suffering. We also suffer for the simple fact of being in the world, because suffering entered the world with the Fall of man. But the just and pious can also suffer and their suffering is for the glory of God. Notice that all of Job's suffering served to defeat Satan in his pretensions and prove that God's true servants worship him, despite the circumstances, without demanding anything in return.  

The suffering of the righteous is a New Testament emphasis. Take, for example, what God said to Ananias about Paul: "This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel. I will show him how much he must suffer for my name" (Acts 9.15,16). Years later, this Apostle wrote to the Philippians the following words: "For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him..." (1.29). And what about the suffering of Christ, through whom we are saved from eternal death?

Antônio Maia - M. Div.

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