This is it, folks. The massive, overarching question that defines the Book of Job: what is man's status in the world?
Man's powers don't come close to God's, sure, but according to Genesis, we were made in his image. Does that give us the right to talk back? Job would shout a resounding yes, but we get mixed signals from the story.
Oh, and there's one other problem: humans can't exactly call God on their hamburger-phones. So what about those of us who don't get direct visits?
Questions About Man's Status Before God
- According to the Book of Job, should humans just suck it up and take what's handed to them by God?
- Is Job being a bit presumptuous? Who does he think he is, anyway?
- What is the relationship between God, man, and nature here? Do different figures think about it in different ways?
- Does Job believe in divine justice throughout the story? Or does he ever get too big for his britches?
- What's Satan's role in all this? Is he just another one of God's pawns?