In the story of Job, the God and the devil made a type of wager on
the strength of Job's faith, his consistency in upholding God's laws
and being humble. The devil was allowed to challenge Job in any way
physically or emotionally which could not lead to death. The devil gave
Job boils all over his body, took away his fortune, and his wife and
children died. Still, he stays determined not to curse God like his wife
advises him even through all the various kinds of tortures or sufferings
that he is given. The story of Job then, is of a man who questions and
challenges God on the cause of his suffering. He questions why a man
who has done right his whole life must still suffer and wonders the
reason that God has allowed this to happen to him. He so much as
challenges God to come into his presence and answer him face to face so
that Job can understand His reasons.
God's response to Job is one mirroring the image of a parent and
child. Job attempts to look through God's viewpoint but his knowledge
and thoughts are miniscule to the omnipotence of God. Although Job
wants God to come into his presence without trickery or with all of His
aura, God begins by questioning Job, "Where were you when I laid the
foundation of the earth?" (Job 38:4). God then answers Job by a series of
questions that deal with the setting of creation and God's power of how
Through His questions, God attempts to put Job in his place and
to further intimidate Job by revealing all of God's power and all that He
has control of. He speaks about the animals:
"Their young ones become strong, they grow up in the open; they
go forth, and do not return to them (Job 39:4).
This can be an image reflection how children leave their home and
develop a new life and family on their own. However, Job&ap
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