Theodicy In The Book Of Job

Theodicy is the reasonable justification of the nature and existence of evil in the grand order of things considered to be created by God. How could a loving and caring God, who is in control of all things, allow evil to exist? Ultimately the lesson learned is that Gods reasons transcend human understanding, when in the theophany, “God appears to Job, not to answer his questions, but to demonstrate the gulf between human understanding and divine majesty.” (chs.38-41) Theodicy is at the crux of understanding the travails and troubles of the Israelites. An excellent example of why God allows bad things to happen to His chosen people. While not specific or limited to the Israelites the concept of theodicy is instrumental in coming to terms with adversity and maintaining faith. …show more content…
Job personifies faithfulness as he loses everything important to him yet remains faithful to God. Its purpose is to illustrate God’s sovereignty and faithfulness during times of great trouble and suffering. The text suggests that the entire Book of Job is itself a Theodicy that confronts the question of evil and why God allows it to exist. It is also suggested that perhaps the reason the good suffer is to gain new understanding and to have their faith and beliefs strengthened through that adversity. Ultimately Job is restored through his faithfulness. Throughout the story Job clearly personifies the nature of faithfulness and righteous living , despite every affliction, every detriment and deterrent to success he never loses his faith. He maintains his connection to his spirituality and to