About the book of Job

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JLG

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As Jesus said, his disciples didn't understand anything till his death and he was repeating everything and every day to them. I don't know, the Israelites acted the same way with God and they lost everything. And it is said that human beings are superior animals? With human beings you never know! Peter was acting like Peter that is without thinking! Hopefully he got maturity with years!
 

Journeyman

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Peter acted like any courageous human would in defense of a loved one. He said,

I will lay down my life for thy sake. Jn.13:37

So he,

having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. Jn.18:10

He later learned how to lay his life down for God..
 
May 22, 2020
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As Jesus said, his disciples didn't understand anything till his death and he was repeating everything and every day to them. I don't know, the Israelites acted the same way with God and they lost everything. And it is said that human beings are superior animals? With human beings you never know! Peter was acting like Peter that is without thinking! Hopefully he got maturity with years!
You would think some would learn but never do....that is repeated here with baptism.....the Bible KJV 1611 edition....says in many different times that baptism is necessary for sin cleansing......but, new age religion types will still argue that is not a requirement.

Go Tell!!!
 

JLG

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I disagree because Jesus told his disciples that he was going to be caught and killed, that it was the end of his mission. In fact, the last time he told them was two days ago (Matthew 26:2). Then they eat the meal of the Passover and after that they go to the Mount of Olives. There he tells them that they are going to stumble ant then he will be raised up and will meet them in Galilee (Matthew 26:31,32). And as usual, Peter tells Jesus he won't stumble but Jesus tells him he will disown him three times (Matthew 26:33,34). And then again he says no like the other disciples (Matthew 26:35). Then he takes Peter and two other disciples and asks them to stay awake and keep on the watch and he also tells him he feels bad and he goes to a certain distance to pray (Matthew 26: 37,38). When he comes back they are sleeping (Matthew 26:40). And it happens two more times: he must have felt really bad! When Peter uses his sword, Jesus reprimands him by saying: "Then said Jesus unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword" (Matthew 26:52). Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels? (Matthew 26:53). But how then shall the scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be? (Matthew 26:54)
 

Journeyman

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I disagree because Jesus told his disciples that he was going to be caught and killed.....
They didn't understand him,

And they understood none of these things: and this saying was hid from them, neither knew they the things which were spoken. Lk.18:34
 

JLG

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We see a progression in the way Jesus teaches his disciples :
- Jesus speaks to the crowds using parables so usually people don’t understand. Then he explains everything to his disciples (Luke 8:9-10).
- Jesus often speaks of their lack of faith (Luke 8:24,25).
- Then he gives authority to his disciples so they can expel demons and cure people as they go preaching the kingdom of God (Luke 9:14).
- Jesus has to cure a possessed child because his disciples can’t do it (Luke 9:40,41).
- Jesus is going to be betrayed but his disciples don’t understand and it is said because it was concealed from them (Luke 9:44,45).
- Again Jesus speaks about all the events in relation with his death but his disciples don’t understand because it was hidden from them (Luke 9 :31-34)
- When they eat the meal of the Passover, Jesus tells them about the disciple who is going to betray them so they start to discuss among them (Luke 22:21).
- He tells them they are going to abandon him and Jesus tells Simon to strengthen his brother when he comes back but he says he will never abandon Jesus so Jesus tells him he will disown him three times during the same night (Luke 22:31-34).
- When they go to Mount of Olives, he asks his disciples to stay awake and pray and he goes alone to pray by himself but when he comes back he finds them sleeping (Luke 22:39-46).
- Jesus is arrested and Peter disowned Jesus 3 times (Luke 22:47-62).
- After Jesus’ death women go to the tomb which is open and they meet two angels who remind them about Jesus’ words about his death and they remember and they tell them that he is raised up and he will meet them in Galilee. The women go to the disciples and tell them but they don’t believe them and they still don’t understand Jesus’ words. Some disciples meet Jesus and then eat with them and at the end they recognize him and he disappears. Finally he appears to the 11 disciples.


In fact, Jesus has to explain everything to his disciples because they don’t understand anything like all the people. But he progressively prepares them. But till the end they seem to behave like children. They finally need to see Jesus to understand everything and / or to accept everything. Without him they were nothing : the problem with human beings is that they need to lose something or someone to realize how important it or he is to them ! But then it’s too late, they can’t make it or him come back. they can only live with their memories !
 

JLG

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What DOES Job want from God? Hang onto 23:6 and consider this verse in light of Job's two last speeches at the end of the book.

He wants God to listen to him and presents his case before him and take notes of what he says to him. Job keeps being the same, he doesn’t change and he keeps being fathful whatever happens even if he suffers a lot.
 
May 22, 2020
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What DOES Job want from God? Hang onto 23:6 and consider this verse in light of Job's two last speeches at the end of the book.

He wants God to listen to him and presents his case before him and take notes of what he says to him. Job keeps being the same, he doesn’t change and he keeps being faithful whatever happens even if he suffers a lot.
...and that's the reason God allowed Job to be challenged......He wanted Job to show everyone around him that we must keep our faith...regardless of life's challenges.

Job wanted to understand why He was going through the challenges....careful read tells us that it was not the challenges...it was why the challenges. His search for doing something wrong came up with no answers.
 

JLG

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Ok but my question is why do you say "his search for doing something wrong"? If we read Job 32:1, it is said that Job was convinced of his own righteousness.
 
May 22, 2020
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Ok but my question is why do you say "his search for doing something wrong"? If we read Job 32:1, it is said that Job was convinced of his own righteousness.
He pleaded with God to tell/show him what he did wrong to receive such tribulations.

He must have temporary forgotten the scripture reference.......we may pay a price on this earth in this life, for following Christ.
 

JLG

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Ok but he knew he didn't do anything wrong, he was extremely meticulous, he even offered sacrifices for his children in case they would sin against God in their hearts, he could remember all the people he helped, everything was clear in his mind, he had a special relationship with God and for him it was essential that’s why he wanted to be in front of God to know what was on. Job wasn’t someone to forget anything especially in relation with God that’s why there was no one like him on earth.
 
May 22, 2020
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Ok but he knew he didn't do anything wrong, he was extremely meticulous, he even offered sacrifices for his children in case they would sin against God in their hearts, he could remember all the people he helped, everything was clear in his mind, he had a special relationship with God and for him it was essential that’s why he wanted to be in front of God to know what was on. Job wasn’t someone to forget anything especially in relation with God that’s why there was no one like him on earth.
He is the only one in scriptures which God said was a .........perfect servant.
 

JLG

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Yes there was no one like him on earth that's why the devil made an attempt to trick him. Now there are few examples of real faithfulness in the Bible that's why they are precious!
 

JLG

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If not, does Job's encounter with God provide any help in understanding how we relate to a universe which is morally neutral?

We must remember that we live in a world controlled by the devil. And as we see how things are going, having moral values is the only way to keep going straight away without losing our mind whatever may happen. Moreover, we can also think about the book of Daniel and how he and his three companions stayed close to their values which helped them to keep going in spite of troublesome events.
 

JLG

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https://www.olivetree.com/blog/big-questions-from-the-book-of-job/

Why did testing come to Job?

Why believers undergo prolonged and difficult suffering has no one, simple explanation. But the Bible offers several reasons.

First, testing strengthens our character. James says, the testing of your faith develops perseverance (James 1:2–3). Painful situations produce character the same way regular exercise builds muscle tone.

Peter adds that testing proves our faith is genuine (1 Peter 1:7). When the heat is on, who we actually are, and what we truly believe are revealed. He also suggests that this tested faith gives honor to God. Remaining faithful despite prolonged agony testifies to others how much we value God.

Job notes that testing can get rid of unrefined qualities in our lives (23:10). Much the way a blast furnace brings out impurities in metals, testing removes sinful attitudes in us, and we come forth as gold.

The writer of Hebrews (12:6–8) says that testing proves believers are God’s children. Every wise parent disciplines a child, in love, to help the child develop. When God brings testing, it reminds us that we are his children.

Why did testing come to Job? Job never realized that God allowed it because he was pleased with him: Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him (1:8). There may be no reason behind our testing other than that God is pleased with us. He may want to reveal himself to us and others through such testing.

Well, God was definitely pleased with Job, I would say God’s feeling towards Job was stronger because once again they had a really strong relationship which makes a big difference. And it was the devil who wanted to test Job’s faithfulness and integrity meaning if he could destroy the relationship between Job and God he could do it with every human being !
 

JLG

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https://www.kevinathompson.com/37-questions-answers-book-job/

9. Does Satan control events in our life?

The book of Job seems to imply that Satan can get permission from God to test us, but anything he does happens under the umbrella of God’s divine permission. This is good news—nothing happens to us without God allowing it.

Yes, when we trust God and try to do his will and keep being faithful, God helps us to resist but we need spiritual food to stregthen ourselves and fill our mind with positive thoughts. It doesn’t mean that sometimes we can be down but we need to stand up again and again. Because thus we show our faithfulness like Job !
 

JLG

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12. How can we respond and begin to heal in the midst of suffering when our heart has been broken or our pain has been caused because of the choices of someone else?


Dive deeper into the grace of God. Look for ways in which you were finding identity and satisfaction in the other person or circumstance. Learn how God sees you and defines you. Pray for the other person and that God might give you empathy toward them. Don’t hesitate to get help.


It’s really a tough question ! First of all, I need to dive deep in the book of Job and in his pain and suffering ! But as I was writing this I was thinking about pain and suffering so first I must dive deep into the difference between pain and suffering !
 

JLG

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https://www.sbcounselor.com/blog/2020/2/4/understanding-the-difference-between-pain-and-suffering

The phrase “pain and suffering” is used so frequently in our society that the two are often considered to be one and the same. You might wonder, “Is it possible to have pain without suffering? Is it possible to suffer without pain? Is there really any difference between the two?” After all, people win settlements in lawsuits as compensation for their pain and suffering. Individuals talk about their pain and suffering when they’re ill or after other difficult events.


However, the two are not the same thing! Pain is what happens to us, suffering is what we do with that pain. While changing our perception of this concept may be difficult, it is possible. We can avoid or lessen our actual suffering based on what we choose to do with the pain we experience.


I like the last paragraph and especially the last sentence because it shows that the two words are deeply connected and you can’t have one without having the other one. And I also like the verb choose because it means we can have a share in what’s going on and we can be active and not passive ! It also means struggling for survival ! If we don’t fight that’s the end of the story ! So now when I think about the book of Job I will associate it with pain and suffering and the connection with the two words and also the verb choose.
 

JLG

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It also makes me think about the differences between the books of Job and Daniel and Samuel because they stayed faithful having different experiences of life, sometimes good and sometimes bad. Of course, in this case the bad times are more useful.
 

JLG

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It also points out the necessity to tell God how much we suffer and how bad we feel ! And we can do it as much as we want because it comes from our inside ! And we must cry out to him ! We must grasp our pain and throw it to God ! And we must open our heart ! And thus we must follow Job’s example !
 
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