Comments for The Shack and the Book of Job at http://juliamobrien.net , comment 1 to 3 out of 3 comments http://juliamobrien.net Wed, 08 Sep 2010 03:19:37 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://juliamobrien.net/index.php/blog/The-Shack-and-the-Book-of-Job.html#comment-172 Job has many detailed facets. Reducing the story and poem to a soundbite is difficult. I label it "A parable of dust and ashes". It labels itself as Mashal (parable) several times. "Dust and ashes" simply faces the fragility of the human from its own point of view. Did Job have new children? No. He receives in the parable his children back again. So the unique dual against the sons - who are not named. And so the naming of the daughters who receive inheritance as sons. My translation is on the sidebar at my blog - 60 page pdf - draft #22 - Bob MacDonald Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:48:14 +0100 http://juliamobrien.net/index.php/blog/The-Shack-and-the-Book-of-Job.html#comment-12 Sister Julia have you ever contemplated these words found in Job 33: 14 For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it. 15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, When deep sleep falls upon men, While slumbering on their beds, 16 Then He opens the ears of men, And seals their instruction. 17 In order to turn man from his deed, And conceal pride from man, 18 He keeps back his soul from the Pit, And his life from perishing by the sword. 19 “Man is also chastened with pain on his bed, And with strong pain in many of his bones, 20 So that his life abhors bread, And his soul succulent food. 21 His flesh wastes away from sight, And his bones stick out which once were not seen. 22 Yes, his soul draws near the Pit, And his life to the executioners. 23 “If there is a messenger for him, A mediator, one among a thousand, To show man His uprightness, 24 Then He is gracious to him, and says, “Deliver him from going down to the Pit; I have found a ransom’; 25 His flesh shall be young like a child’s, He shall return to the days of his youth. 26 He shall pray to God, and He will delight in him, He shall see His face with joy, For He restores to man His righteousness. 27 Then he looks at men and says, “I have sinned, and perverted what was right, And it did not profit me.’ 28 He will redeem his soul from going down to the Pit, And his life shall see the light. 29 “Behold, God works all these things, Twice, in fact, three times with a man, 30 To bring back his soul from the Pit, That he may be enlightened with the light of life. I often ask a believer, how did God bring you to repentance... most of the time the testimony will be found in this section of Scripture. The book of Job preaches the good news of the kingdom of God. Search the Scriptures of Job and you will find the grace. Your brother in Christ Jeff - Jeff Marshalek Wed, 06 May 2009 16:35:12 +0100 http://juliamobrien.net/index.php/blog/The-Shack-and-the-Book-of-Job.html#comment-11 Just finished leading a mall group study of Job at Grace. I think the book is a "story" that does not present a "true" picture of God. It seems to me the thrust of the book is the limits of human knowledge. We weren't there when God "laid the foundations of the earth" and we cannot know all the "whys" of suffering. One of the interesting points at the end of the story is that God calls Job to "reinvest" in life with a new family, etc. I agree with you about The Shack. Dialogue is just a series of theological lectures. Dull story. Uninteresting characters. Predictable ending. - Ray Luber Wed, 06 May 2009 07:13:23 +0100