이 글은 고통의 길을 끝까지 걸어감으로써 마침내 하느님과 인간의 관계의 본질적 가치를 발견한 욥의 경험을 따라 욥기를 고찰한다. 그 본질적 가치란 첫째, 자연으로 돌아감이다. 이는 주님께서 욥에게 펼쳐 보여주신 우주와 자연의 조망에서 발견되는 것으로서, 자신에게 다가온 것에 역행하려 하지 않는 것이다. 즉 자연으로 돌아감은 일상사 안에서 갈라졌던 인간이 고통으로 인해 본연의 자기로 돌아가고 하느님을 만나게 됨을 의미한다. 둘째, 고통 가운데 하느님을 믿음이다. 이는 욥이 내면의 움직임을 이야기(담론)하고 대화로 풀어나가는 그의 여정에서 발견된다. 욥기가 고통에 관해서만 설명하는 책이 아닌 까닭은, 한 개인이 고통이라는 통로를 통해 단련을 받음으로써 엄청난 것을 경험한 여정을 이야기하고 있기 때문이다. 그 경험은 하느님을 믿고 견디면 지혜에 이른다는 것이다.
This article reviews the Book of Job by following Job’s experience through his walking to the end of suffering to the eventual discovery of core values to man’s relationship with God. Firstly, the “return to natural state” is emphasized as such value. As suggested in the visions of the universe and nature God permits to Job, it is essential in his relationship with God that he does not resist the natural discourse of his life. The “return to natural state” refers to man’s journey—or return to true self—through life’s trials, towards union with God. Second core value explored is trust in God’s fidelity in the experience of human suffering. Job’s trust in God is implied in his conversations and confessions throughout his plight around the inner movements he experiences. The book of Job is clearly focused on the problem of suffering, but it is not merely a litany of a man’s trials and related turmoil because it goes on to describe his journey through these sufferings to an eventual, profound experience. Job’s trust in God and perseverance through trials allow him to experience the attainment of wisdom.
This article reviews the Book of Job by following Job’s experience through his walking to the end of suffering to the eventual discovery of core values to man’s relationship with God. Firstly, the “return to natural state” is emphasized as such value. As suggested in the visions of the universe and nature God permits to Job, it is essential in his relationship with God that he does not resist the natural discourse of his life. The “return to natural state” refers to man’s journey—or return to true self—through life’s trials, towards union with God. Second core value explored is trust in God’s fidelity in the experience of human suffering. Job’s trust in God is implied in his conversations and confessions throughout his plight around the inner movements he experiences. The book of Job is clearly focused on the problem of suffering, but it is not merely a litany of a man’s trials and related turmoil because it goes on to describe his journey through these sufferings to an eventual, profound experience. Job’s trust in God and perseverance through trials allow him to experience the attainment of wisdom.