CHAPTER 2 - PATIENCE
Another interpretation of Job from a minister of the Gospel is that the major thing we should get out of the Book of Job is not what happen to Job or why it happened but rather what did Job do. Their thought is that Job’s patience is the central model for us today. This position is supported by the following scriptures.
James 5:10-11
10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.
11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. KJV
and
James 1:2-4
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. KJV
and
Hebrews 6:12
That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. KJV
This position is well thought out and I might say though less common is very good. This position satisfied my heart for some years. The scripture reference to Job is very convincing that the central theme of Job could be patience based on a New Testament reference. However, after I received some more enlightenment on Job during some further reading of the book this reality must be classified as “a truth” of Job. I will conclude that this doctrine is good and solid and genuinely accurate. However, this truth is mainly emphasizing the beauty and strength of patience. Job is used as an example of patience it is not meant to reveal the purpose of the Book of Job. So I can only speak well of this position but I can not conclude that this truth alone answers the questions of the book of Job as referred to in the introductory reading. This position is “a truth” but falls short of revealing the sin of Job that many have searched for, or the purpose, and central theme of the book of Job. So, we should all conclude that we desperately need patience to move forward with God. The virtue of patience is a large part of our Godly character and all who choose to grow in Christ Jesus must be people of faith and patience to understand God on a more deeper level. What patience did for Job is allow him the strength to stay around long enough to see his mistake and rectify the situation.