Rhetorical Analysis: The Book Of Job

The book of Job portrays an individual named Job whose life and well-being are jeopardized by Satan’s affliction by God’s permission. As a consequence of the hardship, Job experiences various mental states that challenge the relationship between him and God. In the beginning, Satan takes Job’s property and children but although hurt and depressed, he remains faithful and pious. However, after his period of grief and sorrow, he becomes confused, fragile, miserable, and regrets the day he was born. Ultimately, triggered by the criticism of his friends, Job channels his emotional feelings of sadness, sorrow, and confusion into anger, bitterness, and rage. Overwhelmed by such rash feelings, he complains, questions, and disputes
They claim that Job is not as sinless as he claims to be and that his punishment is not as severe as it should be. Such condemnation makes Job angry, bitter, and agitated. Regardless of his feelings, he keeps his rash spirit contained because he understands that a mere man like him cannot challenge God. However, disappointed with his current situation, Job becomes completely fed up with his life and decides to unleash his rash spirit and put it into words. He then makes statements and poses rhetorical questions in an attempt to challenge God and captivate His attention: “Do you get pleasure from harassing me? Do you see as mortals do? You kneaded me like clay, will you turn me back to dirt? (Job, 76).” Finally, Job reaches the peak of his agitation and is willing to sacrifice his life to protest God’s behavior to His face, saying, “Let him kill me! – I will never flinch, but will protest his behavior to his face (Job, 80).” However, his feelings cool down and he begs God to hide him till His anger passes rather than punishing him: “If you would only hide me in Sheol, conceal me till your anger passes, set me a term and then remember me (Job,
In the beginning, although sad and hurt, he remains faithful and accepts his fate. However, after days of grief and sorrow, he becomes self- destructive and requires an explanation for what he has been through. Triggered by the inability to capture God’s attention and friends’ criticism, Job unleashes his agitated spirit and sacrifices his life in order to challenge God. However, God appears from the storm and provides a condescending response which makes Job realize how, in comparison to God, meaningless, unimportant, and helpless he actually