The Hebrews (Judaism)—enslaved in Egypt, wandered to Canaan, conquered and renamed it Israel, dispersed around the world by Babylon and Persia. Out in the larger world, Jews kept their traditions thanks to two centers of theology (Palestine and Babylon); they were routinely persecuted by governments in need of an enemy culminating in the German Holocaust of the 1930’s and 1940’s. In November of 1947, Jews returned to and conquered Palestine which was renamed Israel. They follow the Ten Commandments which are broken down into "love God" and "love others".
The Book of Job (2000-950 BCE) has long been a stumbling block for many Christians. How could God allow Satan to torture someone? Our idea of the devil comes most clearly from this Jewish epic about a long-suffering and faithful servant of God, the ultimate Jewish hero.
- Job is tested; his reaction is "I came into the world naked, I will leave it naked. God gives and God takes away."
- His wife demands he react; his reaction is "How can I accept the good and not the bad?"
- Three close friends show up to offer comfort and instead begin "The Great Debate"
- Secret sin causes bad things to happen
- Job has lived a good life and done nothing to deserve this, but he must endure it
- Job's friends try to get him to denounce God
- Job would rather suffer the loss of his family, his wealth, and his health than deny God
- A younger man comes to join the debate. Job tries to understand why things have happened the way they have.
- God arrives, speaks to Job; Job's reaction is "You're right God, I'm a lowly human who cannot understand your ways or your reasons.
- When God is unimpressed with Job's friends, Job speaks for them.
- Job is blessed
Write a 7-sentence paragraph that addresses the epic's answer to the following questions.
- Why do bad things happen?
- What does it mean to be "good"?
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