When the assignments for blogs came out I thought, oh crud, I have to write on Job. In the past, I have read Job and thought Job, quit bellyaching, and friends, lay off and give Job a break.

But, I guess (know) I read it in more earnest this time around. At first glance, it looks like his buddies come around him to support and comfort him, but then realize they are just coming to pontificate about Job’s obvious misdeeds that caused all the troubles that have been heaped on him. Clearly, Job’s “pals” are clinging to that old adage “bad things happen to bad people”.

I also realized that Job was complaining to God about his situation and offering up that, considering his circumstances, it would have been better if he were never born, but he was not blaming God for his plight. Early on, when Job loses all his wealth and his children, he still maintains “The Lord gave me what I have and the lord has taken it away. Praise the name of the Lord”. Easy to praise the Lord when everything is going well, but not so easy when hard times hit. Way to hang in there, Job.

The saga of Job continues for quite some time and it amazes me that Job does continue to trust in God through it all. Pretty good example that God will not give you more than you can handle.