When we think of the Bible, words like beautiful, exciting, powerful come to mind. We might even think that the Bible is just another typical book, like the Harry Potter series or a Game of Thrones. But it’s so much more than that! Let’s take a quick stroll down memory lane and see what kinds of writing God gave us for this monumental book. Hopefully, this article will open your eyes and change your perspective on what the Bible is truly capable of!
Narrative
The first story we encounter in the book of Job is that of a wonderfully poetic mind grappling with the injustices of life. We see the mind of Job, the patriarch of the Bible, fighting against all odds to make sense of what he’s experiencing. It begins with a simple question about a terrible tragedy that befell his family:
- Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?
- Who shut in the sea when it burst forth from the womb?
- Who made the clouds, and who charmed the lightning?
- Who gave birth to the great whales, and who gave birth to the dolphins?
- Who taught the rivers their tealings, and who made the springs gush forth?
The narrative aspect of the book of Job is that of a story we’ve heard before, but it’s not a simple retelling of something that already happened. Rather, in the Book of Job, God uses the story of Job’s life to challenge us to think, to feel, and to act in a new way.
Consider the opening lines of the book:
“There was a man…”
We’re given a glimpse into the mind of Job as he asks the question, “Who is this ‘man’ that you’ve made to question life’s injustices?” We can assume that this “man” is Job, since all the action takes place within the limits of his earthly realm. Perhaps he is just a normal guy, like you or me, who finds himself in a situation that he cannot comprehend.
At this point, we should point out that the Hebrew word for “man’ is ‘adam,’ which means “earthling.” Thus, when the Bible talks about the “Man’ who was born of the earth,” it is truly referring to the story of Job and not some mythological figure.
The story of Job is one of the most well-known and well-loved parts of the Bible. Not only does it provide us with a different perspective on faith, but it also shows us a different side of God. The character of Job is a complex one, yet he is also sympathetic and engaging. We feel for him and his situation. Through the words of the Bible, we are encouraged to ask questions and think about how we can change the world for the better.
Dictation
A writer spends countless hours in front of a computer typing out a story, and for the most part, this is what the Book of Job is. But these are not ordinary typed-out words – these are the words of God!
This is a special attribute of the Holy Bible that we should not take for granted. If you have ever read the Bible, you know that it is filled with words that came directly from God. Even now, we can feel God’s hand guiding us through the words He has chosen. These are not just any words, but they are chosen by God to challenge us and to teach us.
The presence of words from God in the Bible is called the “textual purity” of the Bible. We could also refer to this as the “divine speech” of the Bible. When we read the Bible, we should feel as though God is speaking to us directly through His chosen messenger, the writer of the Bible, since the words are so similar to how we would speak to one another. It is said that every time a new chapter of the Bible is published, the previous chapters seem to be repainted in a new and vibrant manner, showing how much God wanted us to learn from this amazing book.
Poetry
Speaking of the visual appearance of the Bible, we should not forget about its wonderful design, which is meant to enhance the enjoyment and accessibility of the book. The poetry in the book of Job is a wonderful example of this, as we are treated to vivid descriptions of nature and the cosmos.
The book of Job is filled with poetic imagery that is both intricate and profound. This imagery is used to capture our imagination and to stir our emotions. Sometimes, one line of poetry can carry an entire sense of feeling or thought. Take the famous line from Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” This is a line that continues to haunt me, since it keeps coming back to me in times of need. I can’t help but wonder, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?” It strikes me as a question that cuts to the core of my existence – the question of “Who am I?” and “Why am I here?” These are questions that we all ask ourselves, but they are questions that are rarely answered. We wonder about them, but rarely do we get to experience the simple and profound answers that Scripture can give us. The Bible is a book that should be on everyone’s shelf, and it is filled with beautiful and profound poetry that should be read and studied daily.
Scientific Text
If science didn’t exist, God wouldn’t have created it, since He is said to be the maker of all things. Through His revelation in the Quran, we are informed of Him creating everything in the form that it is now – small and large, high and low, hot and cold, night and day. This includes the ability to observe and analyze nature, which also leads us to a different side of God: the side that is interested in all things scientific. It is revealed in the Book of Job that God is both the great scientist and the great magician:
- He causes the wind to blow and the sea to roar. He gives food to the birds and animals. He makes the sun shine bright and the showers come down. He sends deadly diseases and gives others health. He makes one person ugly and another person handsome. He causes the snow to fall and the rain to pour. He gives life to everything, and He takes it away. He is the Great Scientist and the Great Magician.
- He quizzes me with hard questions. He forces me to think and imagine what is going on. He makes me see things from different perspectives. He teaches me about good and evil. He helps me understand the working and ordering of the world. He gives me hope when I feel like giving up. He makes me believe that through my actions, I can make a difference.
The book of Job is filled with wonders and oddities that we know came directly from God. There’s something incredible about a God that cares for the small details of our world, and one of the things that makes the Book of Job so special is that it encourages us to think scientifically about our world and the events that take place in it. In times of uncertainty, we can turn to this amazing book for encouragement and for knowledge.