Job and His Friends

Why does God permit pain and suffering? Why are godly individuals such as Job subject to divine testing? The book of Job is filled with unresolved problems, unanswered questions, unhelpful advice, and theological dilemmas. Mackintosh’s exposition on the book of Job in Job and His Friends attempts to fill a gap in scholarship on the book by constructing a theology of suffering and examining the pitfalls of the advice of Job’s friends.

The book is divided into three distinct sections: who Job was, what he had, and what he did. Beginning with this threefold approach—not with ancillary issues such as authorship and dating—Mackintosh aims to offer practical remarks on Job which address the difficult depiction of God and the honest lament of Job. In this way, his interpretation of Job represents a subtle jab at the liberal criticism of his day.

Suffering—whether Job’s or ours—commands a response. Sometimes that response comes in the form of rebellion; other times it prompts lament. Still other times, we might solicit advice or work our way out of our problems. Whatever the case, suffering should prompt a re-examination and return us to God. Job and His Friends portrays Job as an exemplar for the times in which we encounter tragedy and despair.

Religião e Espiritualidade