When You Want to Yell at God: The Book of Job (Transformative Word)

by Craig G. Bartholomew

Publisher:

Lexham Press

, 2014

Job's Beautiful Story

Experience the book of Job through a different set of eyes. In When You Want to Yell at God, Craig G. Bartholomew asks us to let go of the Job we think we know so we can get to know the real man. Job’s story refutes the idea that what goes around comes around. Suffering is not always the result of wrong behavior, and right behavior does not always guarantee blessing. But God is always faithful. Looking at Job as the height of biblical poetry, Bartholomew helps us see just how beautiful and touching this man’s struggle with God really is.

The Transformative Word Series

God’s Word is transformative. It is this conviction which gives the Transformative Word series its name and its unique character. Series Editor Craig G. Bartholomew has worked alongside authors from around the world to identify a key theme in each book of the Bible, and each volume provides careful Biblical exegesis centered on that gripping theme. The result is an engaging, accessible thematic exploration of a biblical book, poised to offer you new and refreshing insights.

Learn more about the other titles in this series.

Contents

• Introduction
• The Portrait of Job
• The Portraits of God among Job’s Friends
• Job’s View of God
• The Power of Poetry
• Job’s Journey of Transformation
• Job and Jesus
• The Reader’s Journey of Transformation
• Conclusion
• Appendix A: Fearing God in the Old Testament
• Appendix B: Satan in the Old Testament and the Serpent of Genesis 3
• Notes

Top Highlights

“sin and folly can and do lead to suffering. But the book of Job reminds us that not all suffering is the result of sin.” (Page 3)

“Even in ancient times people believed that there was a simple cause-and-effect relationship between behavior and experience. Suffering was believed to be a punishment for bad behavior, while prosperity was the reward for good behavior. If you were a wicked person, eventually you (or your descendants) would ‘get what’s coming to you.’” (Pages 2–3)

“But 3–41 remind us that there is no shortcut in a journey of transformation. We all want to be saints, but few of us are prepared for the journey it requires!” (Page 10)

“Perhaps all was not as well as it appeared with Job’s children, but his greatest fear appears to be that their behavior would bring God’s judgment rather than his ongoing blessing. Therefore, part of Job’s religion was motivated by an unhealthy anxiety and fear.” (Page 8)

“If you find 3–41 slow, repetitive, and, frankly, a bit of a drag, then remember that this book performs on the reader the experience of suffering; it is exhausting, tiring, and feels like an endless painful cycle. It’s relentless.” (Pages 9–10)

Product Details

• Title: When You Want to Yell at God: The Book of Job
• Author: Craig G. Bartholomew
• Series: Transformative Word
• Publisher: Lexham Press
• Publication Date: 2014
• Pages: 112
• Format: Logos Digital, Paperback
• Trim Size: 5x8
• ISBN: 9781577997085

About Craig G. Bartholomew

Craig G. Bartholomew is the Director of the Kirby Laing Institute for Christian Ethics, Cambridge. He is the author of numerous influential books on the Old Testament and hermeneutics, including Introducing Biblical Hermeneutics, Old Testament Wisdom Literature and the volume on Ecclesiastes in the Baker Commentary series on the Old Testament Wisdom and Psalms.