Job

1. What do you see in this book that tells you about the original reader?
   Considering that the whole book is about the suffering of an inncoent man, it may be supposed that the original reader is in a time of suffering and needs to be reminded that God is just. They may have needed to be reminded to focus on who God is and that He is not defined, nor changed by their circumstances. Or maybe that it's not their righteousness or holiness that saves them, it's God. It's apparent that they beileve that if you do good you receive good things, if you do bad you receive punishment; so if you're being punished there must be a sin that you have to repent for and this is not how God operates. 
   
   
2. What do you see in this book that tells you about the author?
   From all of the speeches, it's clear that the author knows a lot about who these people are and how they view God. Whoever wrote this book has had encounters with God and was passionate about relaying the mighty power of God (38-41).
   
   
3. What are the main themes, and repeated ideas in this book, and what is a one sentence summary of the “main idea?”
   The main theme of Job is that suffering is suffering, but God is God as Job says in 42:2-6. He doesn't have to justify Himself or explain why. It's not about our circumstances, it's about knowing who God is, knowing His character, trusting that He is always good, that there is always a plan. Yes, bad things happen to good people- people who have lived the most blameless life of any one else on the planet. Sometimes there's no explanation to a circumstance we find ourselves in, but the revelation that God is worthy to be praised in every situation- good or bad resontates strongly at the end of this book.
   Throughout job there is A LOT of rambling, people going on and on about who they think God is and why Job is being punished. They use their own human logic and understanding of a God who can't be understood to try. They give him the formula for repentance and convince Job that he did something wrong and God is unhappy. Despite Job's knowledge of the Lord he still puts on a spirit of negativity and despair. He continually seeks an answer and demands that the Lord will give him that answer even though he knows who God is and he knows that He doesn't have to.

One sentence summary of Job- The Lord is trustworthy and in control of every situation; He is never to be doubted and always to be praised.

4. What is the primary reason this book was written?
   I believe this book was written to shake the knowledge of all those who think they know God. To show that not everything comes because you did something wrong, sometimes God just allows things to happent to test your faith, to refine your heart and mind and draw you closer to Himself. He could also use this to show that we must have an even greater fear of Him. From his long exerpt in Job 38-41 we see just how big and great and powerful He really is. In 38:1 He asks, “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?”. He questions their questioning of Him and goes on to tell of how great He is, basically saying that it's impossible for them to ever comprehend and understand Him and His ways.
   
   
5. What does this book show about the character and nature of God?
   He is good no matter the circumstances, that He knows everything that goes on and even sometimes orchestrates and allows bad things to happen because He knows that we can handle it and it will either make us stronger or pull us into deeper intimacy with Him (Job 1:7-12 and 2:2-7). He delights in righteousness and is proud of those who can be found blameless (Job 1:8). God is a provider and He doesn't leave us empty handed. He allows everything Job has to be taken away from him (Job 1:13-19) but then gives him twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10-17). This demonstration is not to say that a "bully" but rather that He always loves unconditionally and gives us good things.
   
   
6. What does this book show about God's redemptive plan for mankind?
   Job recognizes that he can't reach God on his own, he is in need of a mediator, “God is not a mortal like me, so I cannot argue with him or take him to trial. If only there were a mediator between us, someone who could bring us together. The mediator could make God stop beating me,
and I would no longer live in terror of his punishment. Then I could speak to him without fear,
but I cannot do that in my own strength.” (Job 9:32-35)
   And again in Job 38-41 we see the power of God displayed and it's as if He says “Without me you can do nothing. Do you have the power to do all of these things? Do you have the power to create? Do you have the power to destroy? Do you know the inner workings and meaning behind all of these things? Do you know how they came into existence? No. Without me nothing would exist. And without me you can do nothing.” He's stating that we are dependent on Him for everything, in the most simple arena, if He decided to make the earthy stop working properly everyone would die. Our lives are in His hands but have we allowed ourselves to trust Him and allow Him to move the way He wants to in our lives? He's beckoning Job (and us) to a deeper relationship, solely dependent on Him.