After reading chapter 1:
*Verse one is the greeting of the letter, from James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Who is this James? He could be any learned jewish man named James or he could be one of the
James mentioned in other parts of the New Testament.
1. James the brother of Jesus
2. James the son of Alpheus (possibly the same as James no. 1, but cousin instead of brother)
3. James the less (possibly the same James as no. 2.)
4. James the son of Zebedee
One problem with these particular Jameses is that they were probably common laborers or fishermen, not highly educated enough to produce this well written text in greek.
At any rate, there were two apostles named James. One the son of Zebedee, the other the son of Alpheus, who could also have been Jesus's cousin or brother. Clear as mud? We are not told which specific James wrote this letter, but lots of people like to believe it was the literal brother of Jesus. Another interesting tidbit, all of the "Jameses"are actually "Jacobs" in the original greek- iakobos.
Jesus's name in greek appears to be synonymous with Joshua.
The letter is written to "the twelve tribes scattered among the nations." Literal greek- the twelve tribes in the diaspora. Is this a reason to think the letter may have been written after the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 C.E.? It was obviously written to Jews, not a group that had separated themselves from the Jewish faith. James seems to have believed that Jesus was the Jewish messiah or "christ." There are jews today that believe certain rabbis were the messiah. More about the messiah in Judaism.
Verse two says consider it pure joy brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds. Those "brothers and sisters" were Jews, as clearly shown in the greeting. James tells them in the first few verses that they should be glad they are having troubles. It is making them mature and complete, and producing perserverence. James appears to be trying to put a positive spin on a life which must have been pretty troublesome. This first section is packed with thoughts that many christians take very seriously:
1. God will give you wisdom if you ask for it.
2. When you ask of God, you must believe in order to receive.
3. The poor are in a higher spiritual position than the rich and should be proud of their poverty.
4. Endurance under trial gets you the grand prize, a crown of life promised by Jesus to those who love him.
5. God doesn't tempt people, their own evil desires do that. Desire leads to sin, sin leads to death.
6. All good things come from God.
7. God doesn't change.
8. We (the Jews or followers of Jesus?) are the first fruits of all God created.
It seems clear that James is trying to convince his readers that no matter how bad things get, they are really well off because of their special status by virtue of being poor and having a hard life. Wisdom and endurance may be very helpful, but I don't see any virtue in poverty. Anyone can be poor. It takes no effort. When you desire to not be poor, but you are because of circumstances beyond your control, James appears to be implying that that desire may be evil which will lead you to sin and ultimately death. But we are all going to die anyway, aren't we? What exactly is a crown of life?
Monday, October 31, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2016
Introduction to James
Hello folks, life and my mental state have kept me from posting recently, but I hope to get back into the regular swing of things. I decided the books of Samuel are more than I want to chew right now, so I've put that on the back burner. We are going to leap forward into the New Testament and look at the earliest written books of the christian Bible. I tried to find a definitive list of the order in which the New Testament books were written and found at least half a dozen wildly different lists that claimed to be what scholars agreed on. Wikipedia has the letters to the Thessalonians, accredited to Paul, as being first. That seems to be the consensus of liberal christian and secular scholars. Conservatives are the ones that can't seem to make up their minds. Here are some lists:
http://ichthys.com/mail-Bible%20chrono.htm
http://www.biblestudytools.com/resources/guide-to-bible-study/order-books-new-testament.html
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA176/when-were-the-bible-books-written
I am going to start with the book of James because it is unique and stands alone in its style and content. Plus, some lists have it as being the earliest book of the New Testament. Read about the book of James here.
The book claims to be a letter written by James, we will look at who that might be later, because it is unclear. There are a few possibilities concerning authenticity of authorship, either the book really was written by a James, or it is a fake, or it is a reworked version of a James's original letter. The point is that know one can know for sure.
There are various theories concerning the date of the letter's composition, all between the second half of the first century and the first half of the second century. Some scholars believe it is one of the very earliest christian writings. The earliest existing physical manuscripts of James are dated between the mid to late third century. Again, there is a general range but it is impossible to pin down a definitive date for original composition.
The book's place in the New Testament canon was disputed at different times throughout history.
http://ichthys.com/mail-Bible%20chrono.htm
http://www.biblestudytools.com/resources/guide-to-bible-study/order-books-new-testament.html
http://www.gty.org/resources/questions/QA176/when-were-the-bible-books-written
I am going to start with the book of James because it is unique and stands alone in its style and content. Plus, some lists have it as being the earliest book of the New Testament. Read about the book of James here.
The book claims to be a letter written by James, we will look at who that might be later, because it is unclear. There are a few possibilities concerning authenticity of authorship, either the book really was written by a James, or it is a fake, or it is a reworked version of a James's original letter. The point is that know one can know for sure.
There are various theories concerning the date of the letter's composition, all between the second half of the first century and the first half of the second century. Some scholars believe it is one of the very earliest christian writings. The earliest existing physical manuscripts of James are dated between the mid to late third century. Again, there is a general range but it is impossible to pin down a definitive date for original composition.
The book's place in the New Testament canon was disputed at different times throughout history.
Saturday, October 8, 2016
Job wrap up
*Job is written by an unknown author, probably more than one because it appears to have been added to in a couple of places, based on a few variations in style and format. The book makes no claims about its divine inspiration or authorship. The date of the original writing is unknown. It may not have started out as hebrew literature, but as canaanite. Evidence of this is seen in the use of el, the name of the canaanite chief God in the poetic sections. The prose sections speak of Yahweh. The poetic main body is quite beautiful in spots, and often highly metaphorical. The end pieces are prose, written in a more concrete style. There is no evidence or reason to believe this story actually happened in real time. It reads like an extended parable.
*Yahweh/El is described in conflicting ways by the various speakers. Job's friends insist he is just, meting out discipline to the wicked and favoring the obedient. Job insists that there is evidence that this God is disinterested in the goodness or badness of people because the punishments and rewards appear random to him. Plus, everyone goes to the same place when they die, death and the grave. They all agree that this God is the creator, mighty and fearsome. At the end of the book, Yahweh/El appears very similar to an ancient storm God that was common in many cultures.
*In the first part of the book we encounter "sons of God" which are either Angels or demigods. Satan happens to be one and his job is to be a kind of prosecutor for the state, bringing charges against humans to the attention of Yahweh. We never see him again after his initial discussion of Job with Yahweh. Heaven is somewhere in the sky. There is no hell, unless you count the underground world of sheol. There is no eternal life or eternal damnation. In parts of the book, Sheol appears to have an addition called Abaddon, which is either a pit for the especially bad people or an angel of destruction in some leading capacity in the land of the dead.
*There is no hint of a savior or messiah or judgement day, no miracles, and no demons or bad spirits. There are very few religious rituals. Sacrifice and prayer are all that I remember. There are no priests, no ark of the covenant, no tabernacle. Job's sacrifices are made on a personal altar, which was forbidden after the exodus. The story takes place in a vague location east of the Jordan River and seems to be unconnected to the story arc of Genesis through Judges. As in the story of Ruth, there is a conspicuous lack of violence and prejudice against other people groups. Job could represent any ancient man who was fervent about serving his God.
*The main lesson depends on where you think the story ends. If it ends when the poetry is done, then it is clear that Job has learned that he is puny and inconsequential and shouldn't question the almighty God. If the prose section ends the book, then the lesson is about perserverence so that your God will one day reward you for sticking to your guns.
Next up: First Samuel.
*Yahweh/El is described in conflicting ways by the various speakers. Job's friends insist he is just, meting out discipline to the wicked and favoring the obedient. Job insists that there is evidence that this God is disinterested in the goodness or badness of people because the punishments and rewards appear random to him. Plus, everyone goes to the same place when they die, death and the grave. They all agree that this God is the creator, mighty and fearsome. At the end of the book, Yahweh/El appears very similar to an ancient storm God that was common in many cultures.
*In the first part of the book we encounter "sons of God" which are either Angels or demigods. Satan happens to be one and his job is to be a kind of prosecutor for the state, bringing charges against humans to the attention of Yahweh. We never see him again after his initial discussion of Job with Yahweh. Heaven is somewhere in the sky. There is no hell, unless you count the underground world of sheol. There is no eternal life or eternal damnation. In parts of the book, Sheol appears to have an addition called Abaddon, which is either a pit for the especially bad people or an angel of destruction in some leading capacity in the land of the dead.
*There is no hint of a savior or messiah or judgement day, no miracles, and no demons or bad spirits. There are very few religious rituals. Sacrifice and prayer are all that I remember. There are no priests, no ark of the covenant, no tabernacle. Job's sacrifices are made on a personal altar, which was forbidden after the exodus. The story takes place in a vague location east of the Jordan River and seems to be unconnected to the story arc of Genesis through Judges. As in the story of Ruth, there is a conspicuous lack of violence and prejudice against other people groups. Job could represent any ancient man who was fervent about serving his God.
*The main lesson depends on where you think the story ends. If it ends when the poetry is done, then it is clear that Job has learned that he is puny and inconsequential and shouldn't question the almighty God. If the prose section ends the book, then the lesson is about perserverence so that your God will one day reward you for sticking to your guns.
Next up: First Samuel.
Job 41 and 42
After reading chapter 41:
*Yahweh is still poetically boasting to Job. This whole chapter is about his magnificent creature creation, the leviathan. This leviathan sounds exactly like a big ol' crocodile. If Job can't hope to subdue a leviathan, how does he have any claim against Yahweh? Everything under heaven belongs to him.
After reading chapter 42:
*Verses 1-6 are the last of the poetry. Job replies to Yahweh. He seems humbled, saying he knows Yahweh can do all things. He spoke of things he did not understand. Before, he had heard of Yahweh, now his eyes have seen him. Wait. What?! I thought nobody had seen him. Job is joining a long list of nobodies who have seen the God of the bible. As a result, Job now despises himself and repents in dust and ashes. Yep that's pretty much what it feels like to be a true believer.
*Verses 7 through the rest of the chapter revert to prose, just like the first section of the book, leading me to think it may be another possible addition to the original saga, maybe by the same person that wrote the first bit of prose. If the book had ended at verse 6, Job's friends would have been justified and Job thoroughly humiliated. But the story continues. Yahweh tells Job's friends he is angry with them. They didn't speak what was right about Yahweh, Job did. Huh? Now they have to go get seven bulls and sacrifice them as a burnt offering (Barbeque!) for themselves and Job will pray for them, so they will not be punished.
*Job prayed for his friends. Then Yahweh gave him twice as much stuff as he had before. His relatives associated with him again and gave him gifts. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble Yahweh had brought upon him. Where had they been when he was in trouble? Job ended his life as a very rich man. He now had exactly twice as many sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys as he had started. Plus, he again had seven sons (the perfect number)and three daughters, to replace the previous seven sons and three daughters that Yahweh had caused to be killed. That must have made everything okay. (Sarcasm, in case you didn't guess.) I wonder if he had the same wife?
*For some unknown reason we are told the names of Job's three daughters. Plus, we are informed that they were extraordinarily beautiful and that they recieved an inheritance from Job, along with his sons. Also, Satan, the accuser, is not mentioned again.
*I wonder how old Job was. The first set of 10 children would have taken at least 20 years to produce. At the beginning of the story, the children were all grown. That would have taken another 15 years at least. We are not told how long his trials took. Then another 20 years would be needed to produce another 10 children, making Job at least 75 when the last child would have been born. How old was his wife? In verse 16 we are told Job lived to 140 years and saw his children and their descendants to the fourth generation! That might just barely work if there was a new generation every twenty years. A true patriarch.
The End (Yay!)
*Yahweh is still poetically boasting to Job. This whole chapter is about his magnificent creature creation, the leviathan. This leviathan sounds exactly like a big ol' crocodile. If Job can't hope to subdue a leviathan, how does he have any claim against Yahweh? Everything under heaven belongs to him.
After reading chapter 42:
*Verses 1-6 are the last of the poetry. Job replies to Yahweh. He seems humbled, saying he knows Yahweh can do all things. He spoke of things he did not understand. Before, he had heard of Yahweh, now his eyes have seen him. Wait. What?! I thought nobody had seen him. Job is joining a long list of nobodies who have seen the God of the bible. As a result, Job now despises himself and repents in dust and ashes. Yep that's pretty much what it feels like to be a true believer.
*Verses 7 through the rest of the chapter revert to prose, just like the first section of the book, leading me to think it may be another possible addition to the original saga, maybe by the same person that wrote the first bit of prose. If the book had ended at verse 6, Job's friends would have been justified and Job thoroughly humiliated. But the story continues. Yahweh tells Job's friends he is angry with them. They didn't speak what was right about Yahweh, Job did. Huh? Now they have to go get seven bulls and sacrifice them as a burnt offering (Barbeque!) for themselves and Job will pray for them, so they will not be punished.
*Job prayed for his friends. Then Yahweh gave him twice as much stuff as he had before. His relatives associated with him again and gave him gifts. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble Yahweh had brought upon him. Where had they been when he was in trouble? Job ended his life as a very rich man. He now had exactly twice as many sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys as he had started. Plus, he again had seven sons (the perfect number)and three daughters, to replace the previous seven sons and three daughters that Yahweh had caused to be killed. That must have made everything okay. (Sarcasm, in case you didn't guess.) I wonder if he had the same wife?
*For some unknown reason we are told the names of Job's three daughters. Plus, we are informed that they were extraordinarily beautiful and that they recieved an inheritance from Job, along with his sons. Also, Satan, the accuser, is not mentioned again.
*I wonder how old Job was. The first set of 10 children would have taken at least 20 years to produce. At the beginning of the story, the children were all grown. That would have taken another 15 years at least. We are not told how long his trials took. Then another 20 years would be needed to produce another 10 children, making Job at least 75 when the last child would have been born. How old was his wife? In verse 16 we are told Job lived to 140 years and saw his children and their descendants to the fourth generation! That might just barely work if there was a new generation every twenty years. A true patriarch.
The End (Yay!)
Friday, October 7, 2016
Job 40
After reading chapter 40:
*Yahweh pauses in his speaking to call out Job. Job answers by saying he is unworthy to reply. Some translations say he is vile. Job is not going to say anything else. So, Yahweh continues speaking to Job "out of the storm." Again, Yahweh tells Job to brace himself like a man, because he's going to ask Job some more highly rhetorical questions that will prove just how mighty he is. Plus, he will do it in a very poetic way. Yahweh asks Job four questions in quick succession. Would Job discredit Yahweh's Justice? (Yes) Would Job condemn yahweh, to justify himself? (Yes)Does Job have an arm like a god's? (Gods have arms?) Can Job 's voice thunder like a god's? (Obviously not.)
Then Job should act like a god and do things like crush wicked people into the dust. Then, and only then, Yahweh would admit that Job can save himself.
*Verses 15-24 are a poetic praise of a peculiar animal called a behemoth. Assuming it is a real animal, it is likely to be an elephant, hippopotamus, or water buffalo. Young earth creationists would have us believe it is a dinosaur, proof that dinosaurs coexisted with people . This claim is very easily proven to be false.
*Yahweh pauses in his speaking to call out Job. Job answers by saying he is unworthy to reply. Some translations say he is vile. Job is not going to say anything else. So, Yahweh continues speaking to Job "out of the storm." Again, Yahweh tells Job to brace himself like a man, because he's going to ask Job some more highly rhetorical questions that will prove just how mighty he is. Plus, he will do it in a very poetic way. Yahweh asks Job four questions in quick succession. Would Job discredit Yahweh's Justice? (Yes) Would Job condemn yahweh, to justify himself? (Yes)Does Job have an arm like a god's? (Gods have arms?) Can Job 's voice thunder like a god's? (Obviously not.)
Then Job should act like a god and do things like crush wicked people into the dust. Then, and only then, Yahweh would admit that Job can save himself.
*Verses 15-24 are a poetic praise of a peculiar animal called a behemoth. Assuming it is a real animal, it is likely to be an elephant, hippopotamus, or water buffalo. Young earth creationists would have us believe it is a dinosaur, proof that dinosaurs coexisted with people . This claim is very easily proven to be false.
Thursday, October 6, 2016
Job 38 and 39
After reading chapter 38:
*The last chapter ended with a kind of hymn of praise to God (el) the almighty (el shaddai). This chapter suddenly switches gears. The lord (Yahweh) suddenly speaks to Job out of the storm. To me, it looks like this portion is tacked on and trying to appear to have continuity with the previous chapter. Yahweh is clearly blustering, asking Job who he thinks he is. He's the one who is going to ask the questions. Job better take it like a man. Then Yahweh proceeds to go into a poetic, boastful rant about all his magnificent accomplishments, daring Job to compare his own knowledge and accomplishments. Yahweh is clearly sarcastic as he questions Job. "Have you journeyed to the springs of the deep?" "Have you entered the storehouses of snow?" "Do you send the lightening bolts?" Again, most of the things yahweh boasts about are phenomena of nature, especially weather related. The implication is that Job is puny and impotent compared to Yahweh's strength and abilities.
After reading chapter 39:
*Yahweh continues his poetic boast, all the while questioning if Job is capable of doing or knowing any of a number of things for which Yahweh is presumably responsible and knowledgeable. This chapter focuses on animals, their natural habits and habitats. Again the implication is that, compared to Yahweh, Job is ignorant and powerless. I think these chapters are trying to negate Job's previous implications that we can't really tell if the guy in charge is paying attention, because good fortune and bad seem so randomly distributed. Plus, everyone dies and goes to the same place anyway, so what's the point. Here, the point is that Yahweh's in charge of it all. Humans don't get a say in how things are done. They are too ignorant.
*The last chapter ended with a kind of hymn of praise to God (el) the almighty (el shaddai). This chapter suddenly switches gears. The lord (Yahweh) suddenly speaks to Job out of the storm. To me, it looks like this portion is tacked on and trying to appear to have continuity with the previous chapter. Yahweh is clearly blustering, asking Job who he thinks he is. He's the one who is going to ask the questions. Job better take it like a man. Then Yahweh proceeds to go into a poetic, boastful rant about all his magnificent accomplishments, daring Job to compare his own knowledge and accomplishments. Yahweh is clearly sarcastic as he questions Job. "Have you journeyed to the springs of the deep?" "Have you entered the storehouses of snow?" "Do you send the lightening bolts?" Again, most of the things yahweh boasts about are phenomena of nature, especially weather related. The implication is that Job is puny and impotent compared to Yahweh's strength and abilities.
After reading chapter 39:
*Yahweh continues his poetic boast, all the while questioning if Job is capable of doing or knowing any of a number of things for which Yahweh is presumably responsible and knowledgeable. This chapter focuses on animals, their natural habits and habitats. Again the implication is that, compared to Yahweh, Job is ignorant and powerless. I think these chapters are trying to negate Job's previous implications that we can't really tell if the guy in charge is paying attention, because good fortune and bad seem so randomly distributed. Plus, everyone dies and goes to the same place anyway, so what's the point. Here, the point is that Yahweh's in charge of it all. Humans don't get a say in how things are done. They are too ignorant.
Wednesday, October 5, 2016
Job 37
After reading chapter 37:
*Elihu is still speaking. This chapter is a continuation of the poetic description of God (el)as a weather God. His voice is the thunder. He sends the lightening. He tells the snow and the rain what to do. His breath produces ice. He directs the swirling of the clouds and uses them to punish men or show his love by watering the earth. Elihu then asks Job if he knows how God does all these things. Job would not have known, but today we do know how and why weather phenomena occur. Plus, we have satellites that are far above the weather looking down at earth. They can show us the weather as it is happening. They've never shown us any gods messing with the clouds.
*The last few verses compare or equate God to the sun. He comes in golden splendor and awesome majesty, beyond our reach, exalted in power, just and righteous. He does not oppress, therefore men revere him. This God seems very much like other ancient gods. Natural events are ascribed to him. Reasons for those events are assumed to exist in the nature of the God, who is assumed to be just. What we have is a picture of ancient man trying to make some sense out of what was clearly confusing, because he was ignorant of the mechanisms of nature. I feel sorry for those people who believed, and those who still believe, they were being punished when there were droughts or floods.
It would seem to be impossible to keep a weather God happy.
*As hurricane Matthew approaches the eastern seaboard of the United States, how many people do you suppose will be praying to the God of the Bible to protect them from its power? How many people will thank God after it passes them, for sparing them (not necessarily their neighbors) a worse fate than what they recieved? How many will add bread, water, and flash light batteries to their prayers, trusting God to provide them if they need them? How many will evacuate from their homes because "God", not fear of natural consequences or the authorities, is prompting them? I wonder who they will say their God has punished with this hurricane.
*Elihu is still speaking. This chapter is a continuation of the poetic description of God (el)as a weather God. His voice is the thunder. He sends the lightening. He tells the snow and the rain what to do. His breath produces ice. He directs the swirling of the clouds and uses them to punish men or show his love by watering the earth. Elihu then asks Job if he knows how God does all these things. Job would not have known, but today we do know how and why weather phenomena occur. Plus, we have satellites that are far above the weather looking down at earth. They can show us the weather as it is happening. They've never shown us any gods messing with the clouds.
*The last few verses compare or equate God to the sun. He comes in golden splendor and awesome majesty, beyond our reach, exalted in power, just and righteous. He does not oppress, therefore men revere him. This God seems very much like other ancient gods. Natural events are ascribed to him. Reasons for those events are assumed to exist in the nature of the God, who is assumed to be just. What we have is a picture of ancient man trying to make some sense out of what was clearly confusing, because he was ignorant of the mechanisms of nature. I feel sorry for those people who believed, and those who still believe, they were being punished when there were droughts or floods.
It would seem to be impossible to keep a weather God happy.
*As hurricane Matthew approaches the eastern seaboard of the United States, how many people do you suppose will be praying to the God of the Bible to protect them from its power? How many people will thank God after it passes them, for sparing them (not necessarily their neighbors) a worse fate than what they recieved? How many will add bread, water, and flash light batteries to their prayers, trusting God to provide them if they need them? How many will evacuate from their homes because "God", not fear of natural consequences or the authorities, is prompting them? I wonder who they will say their God has punished with this hurricane.
Tuesday, October 4, 2016
Job 36
After reading chapter 36:
*Elihu is still speaking. He asks Job to bear with him a little longer, he's going to speak in god's behalf (because God isn't speaking on his own behalf). Every word Elihu speaks is true; he says so.
God knows what he is doing. He takes good care of the afflicted and the righteous. When people experience afflictions, he tells them why he is correcting them. They can then obey and live in prosperity, or ignore him and perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
*Verses 13-14 are about atheists, "the godless in heart." (Me) Apparently we harbor resentment in our hearts and when God chains us, we do not cry for help. So, we are supposed to ask for help from the being who is causing us to suffer? God needs a psychiatrist. Not only that, we will die in our youth, among male prostitutes at temple shrines. This must have been the author's idea of the worst possible death. However, I don't think the author ever considered that a woman might someday be reading these words. I'm pretty sure most of the books of the Bible weren't written for women.
*God speaks to those in their affliction~ which he caused~ to woo them from the jaws of distress to a place of freedom and comfort. In case you didn't get the imagery, he's the master, we are the slaves. Slaves do not talk back, they do not question the way things are, they obey if they want to be fed well and get priveledges. Job is not sufficiently slave-like. He's not grovelling and agreeing with the master, whose every judgement is just, because he's the master. Job assumes some sort of autonomy and complains about his afflictions. How wicked can you get?
*Verses 22-33 are a description of god's awesome power. No one tells him what to do. God is so great that people don't understand him. He's been around so long no one even knows how old he is. He is a God of the weather, bringing rain clouds, thunder, and lightening. He throws the lightening bolts himself. This is how he governs the nations. Rain means food. No rain no food. We all know what happens when there is no food.
*Elihu is still speaking. He asks Job to bear with him a little longer, he's going to speak in god's behalf (because God isn't speaking on his own behalf). Every word Elihu speaks is true; he says so.
God knows what he is doing. He takes good care of the afflicted and the righteous. When people experience afflictions, he tells them why he is correcting them. They can then obey and live in prosperity, or ignore him and perish by the sword and die without knowledge.
*Verses 13-14 are about atheists, "the godless in heart." (Me) Apparently we harbor resentment in our hearts and when God chains us, we do not cry for help. So, we are supposed to ask for help from the being who is causing us to suffer? God needs a psychiatrist. Not only that, we will die in our youth, among male prostitutes at temple shrines. This must have been the author's idea of the worst possible death. However, I don't think the author ever considered that a woman might someday be reading these words. I'm pretty sure most of the books of the Bible weren't written for women.
*God speaks to those in their affliction~ which he caused~ to woo them from the jaws of distress to a place of freedom and comfort. In case you didn't get the imagery, he's the master, we are the slaves. Slaves do not talk back, they do not question the way things are, they obey if they want to be fed well and get priveledges. Job is not sufficiently slave-like. He's not grovelling and agreeing with the master, whose every judgement is just, because he's the master. Job assumes some sort of autonomy and complains about his afflictions. How wicked can you get?
*Verses 22-33 are a description of god's awesome power. No one tells him what to do. God is so great that people don't understand him. He's been around so long no one even knows how old he is. He is a God of the weather, bringing rain clouds, thunder, and lightening. He throws the lightening bolts himself. This is how he governs the nations. Rain means food. No rain no food. We all know what happens when there is no food.
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