On Death And Dying By Kubler-Ross

The book of Job is an examination of the universal suffering shared by all of humanity, a concept so difficult to grasp that we still struggle with it today. Like the Book of Job and the message of acceptance of suffering, On Death and Dying by Kubler-Ross suggests ways in which we should approach and understand suffering and change. I contend that Kubler-Ross’ stages of grief are partially represented in the story of Job, each stage is are not fully represented and others are completely absent and that only God can truly comfort us when dying.
The Book of Job begins with a wager agreed upon by God and Satan, Job is subjected to suffering in a bet that he will denounce God. On learning of his children’s deaths and all his possession being taken Job states “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21, ESV). This seems to indicate that Job, upon suffering is accepting of what is happening. On being afflicted with boils, Job sits with a pottery shard and pics his boils in a pile of ash. He states “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10 ESV). This also indicates that he is accepting of his suffer, this early acceptance of his suffering is inconsistent with Kubler-Ross’ model.
This could be seen as a moment of denial or isolation, the first stage in Kubler-Ross’ model, but I contend that this incorrect. The bible states “no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great” (Job 2:13 ESV), this would indicate that it is not Job who is silent, but his friend are unable to speak out of sorrow. The stage of bargaining is displayed through much of the book, this includes Job lamenting his birth by say “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?” (Job 3:11,