[ZNPaaneah]

Originally Posted by OBW

God's response in chapter 38 and following is not viewed as a non sequitur just because Job did not talk about the creation of the earth. To suggest that it is indicates someone with no understanding.

I did not say it was, what I said is that any understanding of God's response is going to have to present it in context and not as a non sequitor.

Originally Posted by OBW

But just because Job is complaining about how he has been treated — whether his complaint should be directed at God, Satan, or the "luck of the draw" — it was about how it is justified. He paints himself as unworthy of receiving what he got. And his friends question whether he did deserve it.

God says their sense of why is irrelevant. They have no right to question the one that put everything in place, including their very lives.

Yes, I must have missed that part. Remind me again the verse where God says their complaints are irrelevant and that they have no right to question.

Originally Posted by OBW

While it might make a decent sermon to suggest that all things build character (and that this time of suffering helped to strengthen Job's) the evidence as of the time that God appears to answer them all does not suggest that he was improving in character in any way. We are not presented with a "new and improved" Job. Just one who was granted more than he had before — something very different that a change on the inside.

Sure we are. We are presented with a Job who has a new and improved revelation of God, since we walk by faith and His faith is improved, so is his walk and expression.

42:1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said,
42:2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.
42:3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.
42:4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.
42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.
42:6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

and this book began with God saying 1:8 "And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?" God asked Satan to consider Job, hence all the calamities. When all is said and done Job has a deeper and richer revelation of God and a stronger faith.

Originally Posted by OBW

To the very end of the book, God speaks about the things of creation and not of building man, or developing him. There is nothing that points to "building a man."

Sure there is.

40:9 Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him?
40:10 Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty.
40:11 Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him.
40:12 Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place.
40:13 Hide them in the dust together; and bind their faces in secret.
40:14 Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.

Man is made in the image of God and with His likeness. Therefore, to say that a man in God's image would have an arm like God or a voice like God is in line with the divine revelation. Since Jesus was such a man with an arm like God and a voice like God it stands to reason that this book is revealing Jesus. Since it was necessary for Jesus to be crucified before ascending to the throne it also stands to reason the cross as a foundation for such a life is necessary.

The book begins with God asking Satan to "consider" His servant Job (1:8). Satan then tears down everything Job has built (1:13-19). The book ends with Job being completely rebuilt so that he was more blessed in the latter end (42:12).

Originally Posted by OBW

And the most common understanding of this book is that "life happens" and you can't always figure it out or blame someone else.

There is nothing "common" about our God, a Holy God is an uncommon God. How is the "most common" understanding relevant to the discussion. The common understanding is that "three" kings gave presents to the new born Jesus, and that Eve ate an apple which resulted in the fall.

Originally Posted by OBW

Another novel view from another non-theologian is hard to accept on an "it is so" basis. You say that 'God is saying that He is "building a man" ' yet you supply nothing that suggests that is the case other than your declaration. It is so because you say it is and that this the thing we are going to look into? You could at least have provided something that hints at the premise besides your own words.

If that is your premise, then the response is "nonsense." If you can build a relevant premise to think about, I will give it more consideration.

I will be reading here to find a renewed basis for the discussion. Mere griping about my complaint will be ignored.

Excellent reasoning. You provided no verses to support your premise, hence by your own admission they are nonsense. I on the other hand have provided a Biblical basis for all of my claims, as requested.