Summary of the Views of Other Authors
Depending on the viewpoint, faith and belief of the individual providing the explanation, the origin and point behind the book of Job there is vastly different. Some view the work in a similar light to that of Viktor Frankl who survived a Nazi extermination camp. Like Frankl, Job is a character that is to be admired and emulated because of his unfaltering belief in his God. Others view the story as a lesson that reveals the nature of God and how the good in one's life can only come from Him whereas each negative event that occurs in life results from influence from Satan.
My Own Interpretation
My view of the work is one of skepticism and criticism. As a work of poetic art, it is masterful and stirring. The imagery captured in the text both captures and inspires the imagination. However, given the information regarding even the origin of the text, it is difficult to take the work seriously from the perspective of viewing it as an important work reflecting values and doctrines of established religions. The work is to me much like a stained glass window or
From a distance, the beauty and elegance are impressive but upon closer inspection, the deep damage of time and environment are clearly evident.
Works Cited www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=82301691
Glatzer, Nahum N. Essays in Jewish Thought. University: University of Alabama Press, 1978.
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Gutierrez, Gustavo. On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent / . Trans. O'Connell, Matthew J. Maryknoll, NY: Orbis Books, 1987.
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Habel, Norman C. The Book of Job: A Commentary. Philadelphia: Westminster Press, 1985.
A www.questia.com/PM.qst?a=o&d=953313
Jastrow, Morris. The Book of Job: Its Origin, Growth and Interpretation. Philadelphia: J.B. Lippincott Company, 1920.
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Penniman, Josiah H. A Book about the English Bible. New York: The Macmillan Company, 1919.
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Wild, Laura H. A Literary Guide to the Bible: A Study of the Types of Literature Present in the Old and New Testaments. New York: George H. Doran, 1922.
Biblical Exegesis (Job 1:1-12)
