Session 4 - When Familiar Answers Fail

*****We met for session #4 – When Familiar Answers Fail – The Dialogues. To begin with we noted that the structure of this long section (Job chapters 4 through 27) have each of the three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar) make their statements followed by a response from Job. There are three cycles for each of the friends – except at the end it all breaks down and the final statement of Zophar is lost (probably no great loss). As the discussion proceeds it gets more and more heated and intense. The “friends” and Job become more and more sarcastic and cruel in their comments to each other until finally they all begin to repeat each other as they talk past each other and the entire dialogue breaks down. Ultimately the theme of this section is the question – “Why do Bad Things Happen to God People?” The answer the friends give is classic “retributive justice:” obedience = blessing; disobedience = suffering; blessing = obedience; suffering = disobedience. “Somewhere in your youth or childhood, Job, you must have done something very bad!” We also noted that the friends have differing personalities which are easy to miss because of the ponderousness of their arguments.
*******After watching a video performance of part of the dialogues we discussed what we had seen and experienced. We pondered this discussion and our personal reaction to it. In particular we discussed whether the fact that we know the “upstairs” part of the story has any bearing on how we experience the dialogues and if the fact that we are Christian changes the way we experience them for ourselves. One participant noted that the answer to the friends and the to question is Christ’ crucifixion and resurrection.
*****We noted that as we come to chapter 28 we come to an important juncture in the book of Job. Up until the question of “why do bad things happen to good people” and the attending answer of retributive justice (from the friends) has been the focus or the theme, but at chapter 28 there is a transformation and the them which emerges as the central theme of the book of Job is this: “The inaccessibility of the Wisdom of God and the limits of human wisdom.” This theme will dominate the remainder of the book.
*****As we have all noted the themes of suffering and loss are central to the book of Job and in this way Job’s experience is everyone’s experience. This was brought home to be in a profound way shortly after our class was over. I was in the office finishing up a little after 9:00 that evening when I received a phone call from a friend with the news that a very close friend and colleague had committed suicide on Tuesday night. He was not discovered until sometime Wednesday afternoon. Mark was one of the finest oboists I have ever had the honor to work with. He was my colleague in a small ensemble “WiZARDS!” which lasted for 12 years, numerous concerts, tours and 5 recordings. He was also the of the most giving and wonderful caring teachers I have ever observed. For a variety of reasons he had entered into a very dark place and one that he could not come out of. His friends, colleagues, students and I are all deeply grieved at his death. But I will tell you that the pontifications of the friends in Job are of no comfort, and make no sense in the face of this kind of tragedy. In this context I would turn to Psalm 23 or 91 in the Old Testament; but also the St. Paul – “Nothing can ever separate us from the love of God… nothing!” This is the promise of the Gospel of Christ. This provides assurance and comfort, though it does not take away the pain – which in a way is a gift.
****Our next and last meeting is Wednesday, December 3 at 6:00. We will focus on the “Voice from the Whirlwind” and also try to finish up. Please review Job chapters 38 to 42:6 and then skim to the end of the book. In the Forde please read page 68 (“Then!”) to the end. God’s blessings with you all for a wonderful Thanksgiving!