JOB

 

The title of my thoughts for this short sermon is Job: The Book of Job.

 

Job: the Book of Job – our first reading for these few days in the 26^th Week of the Year.

 

Job has 42 chapters -  poetry and prose -  stories and speeches.

 

The Book of Job goes back into Jewish history – probably with roots in other early cultures. There is probably a few ancient versions, Then it was rewritten – changed - adapted, Then there was a more final version from around the 500 or 600.  Other scripture scholars have other comments.

 

It begins with Satan giving Job a test. Much of the book is loaded with questions - tests – the very tests all people – go through – especially sufferings.  Does God zap people? How come some people have more sufferings that other people?

 

Different characters give different answers – different reasons – different speeches.

 

God is questioned.  God is yelled at.  God is described.

 

The bottom line message seems to be that each of us is that we too are like Job and we have our trials – and our questions.

 

Two weeks ago on television, they had a 3 part documentary entitled: “The United States and the Holocaust”.  It was made by Ken Burns and to me it  was the book of Job in documentary form.

 

It had questions I hope there are answers for in eternity.

 

It told of the 6 million Jews killed in Germany in World War II.  I sat there and wondered once more about all the little kids who were killed – gassed – stabbed – murdered. Jews, the Handicapped, people who were gay, Some Catholics, priests, nuns – were murdered. I found myself saying some of the things I heard in Job. “Not fair – unfair.” Like Job, I was saying lots of words to bring to God and talk to God with. Amen.