What about Job?

Did God paint a target on Job’s back?

And should we be singing Job’s words, “He gives and takes away,” in light of the fact that Job repented and took back these words at the end of the story?

Job has been a difficult book of the Bible for many to understand. I believe this is because so many Christians are not given the correct tools to understand the Book of Job.

It is important to understand that sometimes the Scriptures record statements that were "truly" made, like Job saying that God is “slaying” him, or that it is God who is “taking everything away” from him. These are statements that Job may have actually made, but it does not necessarily mean that it was God who took those actions! In other words, those statements by Job were truly stated, but they’re NOT actually true about God's character.

Truly Stated ~ But Not Necessarily TRUE!

Also, when we consider other ways that a verse may be translated, as in Job 1:7-8 it can make a huge difference in how we understand a verse. Instead of The Lord saying, "Have you considered my servant Job?" to Satan, which to many suggests that God has just made a heavenly wager and painted a target on poor Job’s back, how would it change your perspective to hear a less known but equally valid translation of this verse? In Young’s Literal Translation, the verse Job 1:8 is translated with the Lord’s words, "Hast thou set thy heart against My Servant Job?" WOW, what a difference!

In other words, instead of God intentionally pointing Job out to Satan. It is God pointing out to Satan that He can see into even Satan’s dark heart and can see Satan’s intention to destroy Job! "Hast thou set thy heart against My Servant Job?" God is asking Satan about what is in Satan’s dark heart, not pointing out Job to Satan and painting a target on Job's back! God is letting Satan know that He (God) knows the destructive behavior that Satan is up to. This is a VERY different perspective from what is normally presented!

“"Hast thou set thy heart against My Servant Job?" Job 1:8 (Young’s Literal Translation)

Also, at the end of the Book of Job, in Job 42:6 when Job repents he says, “Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes. [a] Job 42:6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Well if at the end of the Book of Job, Job repents and says he takes back everything he has said about God, then what do we do with Job 1:21(b) where Job says, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Is this true about God’s character? Should we be singing that line in church? Or, are these words merely truly stated, in that this is what Job actually said, but the words are not the TRUTH about God’s character.

Considering Job 42:6 where Job “takes back everything he said,” I find it more plausible to believe that there are MANY statements that are made about God’s character in the Book of Job that are accurately quoted, but not necessarily TRUE or reflecting spiritual truth about God! When compared to the revelation of God in Christ Jesus, all of Job’s statements about God’s character in the Book of Job fall very short.

There are more than just a couple of “rare” translations on the alternate way to interpret these Scriptures. There are many and among those translations that are very conservative and try to be as close to the original text as possible. Translations like the Young’s Literal Translation (YLT), the Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB), the New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE), the Expanded Bible (EXB) and many more. All I am trying to say is that this is a viable way of interpreting these verses in the Book of Job. And interpreting these Scriptures in this manner can go along way in solving the problem of evil that many believers struggle with!

Here are a few verses to reconsider:

Job 1:7-9 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, `Whence comest thou?' And the Adversary answereth Jehovah and saith, `From going to and fro in the land, and from walking up and down on it.' And Jehovah saith unto the Adversary, `Hast thou set thy heart against My Servant Job because there is none like him in the land, a man perfect and upright, fearing God, and turning aside from evil?'

Job 42:5-6 New American Bible (Revised Edition) (NABRE) By hearsay I had heard of you, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.

Job 42:5-6 New American Standard Bible (NASB) I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You; Therefore, I retract, And I repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:5-6 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB) I had heard rumors about You, but now my eyes have seen You. Therefore I take back my words and repent in dust and ashes.

“By hearsay I had heard of you, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes." Job 42:5-6 (New American Bible Revised Edition (NABRE)

Below are a couple of short videos that I did about Job that you may find beneficial. Combined they are about 13 minutes long. I know these ideas about the Book of Job really helped both my wife and I deal with the myriad of evil circumstances that go on in this world of ours!

Video 1: “Have You Considered My Servant Job?” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KWgCo5UBm10

Video 2: “Job Retracts Everything He Said.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DfB4rGFHj6s

1 John 1:5 This is the message which we have heard from Him (Jesus) and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness ~ AT ALL!

At “Coffee with the Clancy’s,” we believe that we have a VICTORIOUS HOPE in the midst of the battles of life. Our desire is to help both believers and non-believers alike to understand the revelation of who God REALLY IS, as we gaze upon JESUS, the fullest and clearest revelation of the love of God. We desire to create a safe place to share, discuss and discover a new perspective and a renewed Hope for Life. We are thankful that many people are being set free from the lies of the enemy and are being encouraged in the midst of life’s struggles; because Jesus brings such a clear revelation that our Father God is GOOD and HE DOES NOT PARTNER WITH EVIL!

#WarfareWorldview