God’s Creative Authority in Genesis and Job Essay

God’s role in the Bible is characterized in several different ways, with dramatically competing attributes. He takes on many functions and, as literary characters are, he is dynamic and changes over time. The portrayal of God is unique in separate books throughout the Bible. This flexibility of role and character is exemplified by the discrepancy in the depiction of God in the book of Genesis in comparison to the depiction of God in the book of Job. On the larger scale, God creates with intention in Genesis in contrast to destroying without reason in Job. However, as the scale gets smaller, God’s creative authority can be seen in both books, yet this creative authority is manifested in entirely distinctive manners. In Genesis, God as†¦show more content†¦He distinguishes his inventions with minute details and yet, simultaneously, the entire creation is pure and simple. There is no elaboration; his ideas just come into being. Once each individual creation has co me to be, God sees that is it good. Additionally, God is reasonable. There is a logical reason and a unique place for everything: â€Å"God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome† (Genesis 1:7). In addition to the content of God’s will and creations, the repetition and standardization of the verses in Genesis 1 reflect his steadiness as a creator. In stark contrast to God’s presence in Genesis, the character of God in Job strays from the ideal perfection of the divine. The concept of the ideal manifested in Genesis is embodied in God’s moral, reasonable, and rational behavior. In Job, on the other hand, rather than being reasonable, methodical, and creating life, God displays more human characteristics and plays the role of both creator and destroyer. The book of Job begins with God’s boastful bargain with Satan, which subsequently leads God to allow the total destruction of Job†™s family and livelihood. Job is even attacked physically with â€Å"loathsome sores†¦ from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head† (Job 2:7). In an uncharacteristically immoral decision, God gives Satan the power doShow MoreRelatedBiblical Worldview Essay1698 Words   |  7 Pagesprovidence. According to the textbook, â€Å"the doctrine of God’s providence is related to the doctrine of creation†¦Millard Erickson compares creation and providence by calling creation â€Å"God’s originating work† and providence â€Å"God’s continuing work†Ã¢â‚¬ ¦the word providence means, literally, â€Å"to see at a distance,† and can carry the connotation of â€Å"to look after† (Akin 2014, 229). â€Å"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth† (Genesis 1:1). This is God’s originating work that Erickson points out. 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