Job, an inspired
folktale from 6th century BC Jewish wisdom literature, raises the profound
question "Why do bad things happen to good people?" Job is a righteous man
plagued by many tragedies. The book's unknown author(s) and editors were
outstanding poets and theologians for their day. Friends' superficial
explanations of Job's sufferings are rejected by God, who makes it clear that,
although he loves human beings, as Creator, He does not have to provide
explanations of such matters. Probing the depths of faith in the midst of
suffering, Job teaches most significantly that faithfulness to God is
the fitting response to unexplained tragedies. Job contributes
profoundly to ongoing theological explorations of "theodicy" - the
justification of God's goodness in the face of evil.