Discuss Job’s three radical ideas about his suffering and the character of God and God’s struggle with chaos (Levianthan) as God’s answer to Job

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Date:Job suffering
Job was an exceptionally righteous person who carefully avoided sinful acts against the laws of God. He behaved in a blameless manner, but like all the human beings he had weaknesses and not perfect. Job deeply debated with his friends about the meaning of his suffering. His three friends were Zophar, Eliphaz, and Bildar who argued that the sufferings of Job were as a result of the sins he committed.
In the midst of the argument, Job accrues three radical ideas about the nature of his suffering and God’s Character.To begin with, Job believed that his humanity gave him the right to attain particular moral rights that included the right to gain protection from any form of suffering. He seemingly thought that God was ignoring to respond to these rights. In this perspective, Job is questioning God’s character as to whether He is immoral. Secondly, Job believed that God is all-powerful and all-knowing therefore Job thought that God must be responsible for the evil that occurs in the world. In this case, Job is questioning God’s character as to whether He is a sinner. Thirdly, Job needed for God to view the world from the human’s point of view, rather than only His own. Job thought that God needed to learn the nature of humans and how it feels like to be on earth and to suffer. This perspective of Job questioned whether God’s character is self-centered.
His friends had completely misunderstood the spiritual condition of Job and the purpose of God.

Job’s friends were attempting to figure out the perpetrator of the cause of his suffering. However, they ended up accusing Job despite his innocence. In God’s defense, a young person named Elihu appeared to defend God strongly and accused Job of being self-righteous, had secret sin and of pride. Through the suffering that Job was enduring, he asked numerous questions and imputing purposes to him. Here it is observed that Job has strongly prosecuted God and the friends acted as the mistaken witnesses against the man.
The debate between job and his friends enabled him to claim vast knowledge regarding the way worldly aspects operate or should work. He hoped for a direct encounter with God and stated that he had prepared his case and he knows that he will be vindicated (Bowman 13). At this moment God comes in a storm at Job’s presence to cross-examine his claim of understanding aspects. God does not answer Job’s questions and clarifies that He came to question Job and he should answer God. Instead of answering the questions He gave Job a tour to the wilderness for appreciation and recounting the beauty of nature from the hail to horses. This tour was significantly relevant to enable Job’s understanding of God’s purpose and who He is.
The main point of God in taking Job to the wilderness tour as Philip Yancey describes was until for Job knows how to run the physical universe he is not entitled to question God about how to run the moral universe (Job 38:22; 39:19). Job deeply understood God’s teaching and put his hand over the mouth and felt he was not worthy of God because he finally understood that making hasty conclusions is not wise because it lacks knowledge of the whole concept (Job 40:4). Job acknowledges that his notions showed aspects of ignorance and firmly realized that God is very capable of managing the world on His own. Job understood that the sufferings that he went through could not be fully understood, but he had faith that in the end, it would work out for everyone’s interest. This time he has confidence in God and trust that His plans cannot be thwarted (Job 42:2).
Job also understands that his distress was purposed by God and knowing that was enough for job. God’s mighty voice put every perspective in order, and this shows that God is alive, is capable, always here, and He truly cares for the humans. In this case, Job was given an answer that he was not expecting but was much more important in his life. It was not important that his case was not presented. God’s revelation to Job automatically answered his questions. Notably, God did not condemn Job for accusing Him or questioning Him. God comes to Job’s presence and corrects his misconceptions about God’s ability to rule the universe. Job 40:8 shows how God questions Job about discrediting His justice and condemning God to justify himself. Here, it is observed that Job is not accused of sin and neither does God call Job self-righteous.
In essence, Job, in the end, demonstrates that God is Almighty and above all things. The human understanding may be limited to the physical occurrences and may be blind to the unseen aspects. For these reasons Job learned not to question God because He has control over all things and His power is not limited. The fact that Satan asked God for permission clearly shows that God has power over the chaos and even Satan fears God and acknowledges He is the Almighty and all-knowing. Even before the sufferings, God knew that Job’s faith is firm and he is an honest man.

Work Cited
Bowman, Craig. “Difficult Texts in Job: Job’s Humble Reply–Is the Question Really the Answer?(Job 40.1-7).” Leaven 4.4 (2012): 13.