Conclusion

Following a series of lengthy debates between Job and his three friends and the interjection from another, younger friend, Elihu, God finally responds to Job. From out of a whirlwind God answered Job’s questions with a question of his own, “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?...I will question you, and you shall declare to me. ‘Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth.” (Job 38:2-4) God proceeds to not answer Job’s questions directly, but to give a detailed description of the various wonders in the world. God the creator of heaven and earth, the stars and light, of the animals and birds, the creator of all things. Does Job know how or why? God asks if anyone can find a fault with such a creation then they must respond. Job’s response is that he is but one man in the midst of a vast, wondrous and mysterious creation. “See, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?...I have spoken once, and I will not answer twice, but will proceed no further.” (Job 40:4-5) God’s response, and Job’s answer to his response, is not a belittling of Job or humankind itself. It is a statement that God is a mystery, as too is His vast creation. This is reinforced with Job’s second response to God, “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.” (Job 42:2-3) Job is humbled by the greatness of God, by the wonder of His creation, by the mysterious nature of the Divine. God then reprimands Job’s three friends for not speaking the truth about Him, unlike His servant Job. Job prays for their folly to be forgiven and after presenting burnt offerings the fortunes of Job are restored twofold.

Although Job’s acceptance to God’s response may seem somewhat submissive, the key message to the Book of Job is the notion of faith. Although Job experienced tremendous suffering and an intense longing for understanding, when presented with God’s response, Job humbly acknowledged his own imperfections and was in awe at the majesty of God’s creation. Some things are a mystery essentially because that is what they are by nature: a mystery. And although Job’s questions were not resolved with a direct answer, his love and faith in God enable him to move pass his incomprehension of why do good people suffer and the wicked seem to be rewarded.