June 9, 2011

Job

Job was a righteous man who suffered tremendous affliction yet remained faithful to his belief in God.

"That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." (Matthew 5:45)

Although the book is about Job’s suffering, it does not entirely answer the question of why Job (or any other person) might suffer pain and the loss of his family and goods. The book clarifies that having afflictions does not necessarily mean that a person has sinned. The Lord may use affliction for experience, discipline, and instruction as well as for punishment (D&C 122).
The book can be divided into four parts. Chapters 1–2 are a prologue to the story. Chapters 3–31 relate a series of discussions between Job and three friends. Chapters 32–37 contain the speeches of Elihu, a fourth friend, who condemns Job for reasons other than the reasons of the first three friends. Chapters 38–42 conclude the book with a reassurance to Job that his course in life was a good one from the beginning.
The book of Job teaches that if a person has a correct knowledge of God and is living a life that is acceptable to God, he will be better able to endure the trials that come upon him. Job’s unfailing faith is characterized by such exclamations as, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). Job is also mentioned in Ezekiel 14:14; James 5:11; Doctrine and Covenants 121:10.

Even when we are living a righteous life, we suffer trials and tempations.  Job was a great example of this and endured well through all of his trials.  Whatever tests or trials we go through we need to continue to have faith that God loves us and wants the best for us.  Even though we might not like to hear this in our time of need, we need to stay close to God.  Remember to "build your foundation... upon the rock of our Redeemer...whereon if men build they cannot fall." (Helaman 5:12)

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