The Book of Job is one of the greatest works of
literature ever written by man. In prose and poetry, it is a powerful story
of a man named Job who interacts with his wife, his three friends, and his
God as he encounters suffering in the world. It is a profound allegory of
the relationship between man and God, especially in how the mind of man
responds in its intellect, emotions, and will to God working in the
circumstances of life. It is the story of every man, represented by Job,
struggling to understand why evil is in the world.
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Life began very simply. God, as a potter shaped
a vessel of clay "formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed
into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul."
The lifeless structure of the body became a living, breathing creature as it
experienced the breath of God. The flesh of created man and the spirit of
creator God set together in perfect harmony.
Newly formed man lived his life in
simplicity. As a child experiences life in the warmth and safety of his
earthly father, the first man experienced his life as the object of the love
of his heavenly Father. God provided all that was needed to experience the
glory of paradise, the simple life.
It would not be long, however, until all
would not be well in paradise. Man desired not to live in the simplicity of
the innocence of a child enjoying the continual expression of God’s love.
He began to think that it would be better for him to be as God himself. With
the now perceived ability to discern good and evil, he would attempt to
control his experiences based upon his own perception.
Paradise was soon to be no more. Man would
come to trust no one. Corruption now violated all relationships. Man began
to hide his true feelings. Others are blamed for his difficulties as his
life began to escalate out of control. It now seemed that life was cursed.
The solution to paradise lost, the losing of
the simple life, is given by Jesus in His parable of the sower. He that has
ears to hear let him hear and he will be restored to the simple life: all
things are of God, through God, and to God.
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