I think there has been done a serious injustice to God in the Book of Job. Pious communities through the centuries hail the patience of Job! We are warned to suffer patiently in our adversity; to posit behind all our suffering is some greater good – God’s hand at work.

Hitler? Really? That was God’s plan??

I think assumptions bordering on delusional are designed to control people. We are all “sinners in the hands of God!” Terrifying us into obedience to whatever ruling power and institutions requiring our terror and obedience.

If we want to bring Jesus into it, (helpful in these discussions) didn’t he say go tell the “Good news”? The good news is you don’t have to be terrified of God’s anger anymore. That humanity is forgiven in the death and resurrection of that baby in the manger we see on Christmas cards.

The Bible also mentions people will be won over by the goodness of God (Romans 2:4). We remark on the patience of Job and rightly so. But, I think we must applaud the patience of God as well.

If Shakespeare made a play about Job it may sound like this:

Act I

Job is the richest man by far in his time, owning a large part of his country and cared for the people in it diligently. So, the opposite of rich people today.

Job is creating a continual bonfire of unbelief in his back yard- obsessing over his children whom he fears are behaving badly. He doesn’t know. (There’s seems no proof of this except they often celebrated their birthdays together. ) Hence, Job is acting out of fear. He’s obsessing. The smoke goes up and up into God’s metaphorical ‘nose’ every single day like an ancient SOS.

Act II

Enter Satan.

Remember that sibling that harangued you and harassed you just because they could? Taunted you, accused you falsely to your parents for doing the very thing s/he was doing? Satan is that kid – times a million.

So, Satan I suspect is tormenting Job, which is creating his compulsive fear of offending God. I am afraid something terrible is going to happen! Job is convinced and is creating giant smoke signals to God.

This perhaps may be the origin of the expression “blowing smoke.” 🤔 It could also be referring to annoying religious people in the next Act that are “blowing smoke”, too. Then, Job blows more smoke, again later, projecting the blame on God for his suffering.

See how patient God is?

Intermission