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Job and The Mystery of Suffering
The ancient story of Job that grapples with the question of why there is suffering in the world even for those who lead a good and upright life has challenged, perplexed, and comforted readers for millennia. Here Richard Rohr shares his understanding of the book, both in its historical setting and as a most important message for today. The book speaks most strongly to those whose own world has fallen apart, but in its essence, it is a call to each reader to let go of old certitudes and goals and to place faith and trust radically in God alone.
This book is a spiritual commentary and chapter-by-chapter Scripture study of the many themes that occur throughout the book. In this exploration many questions are raised as much about the reader's own life as Job's, and from this process is promised deeper understanding. In the course of the story, Job witnesses to the reality of pain, but also to gaining a new sense of joy and freedom and restoration of soul.
This book is a spiritual commentary and chapter-by-chapter Scripture study of the many themes that occur throughout the book. In this exploration many questions are raised as much about the reader's own life as Job's, and from this process is promised deeper understanding. In the course of the story, Job witnesses to the reality of pain, but also to gaining a new sense of joy and freedom and restoration of soul.
187 pages, Hardcover
First published May 25, 1996
About the author
Richard Rohr
258 books2,391 followersFr. Richard Rohr is a globally recognized ecumenical teacher bearing witness to the universal awakening within Christian mysticism and the Perennial Tradition. He is a Franciscan priest of the New Mexico Province and founder of the Center for Action and Contemplation (CAC) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Fr. Richard's teaching is grounded in the Franciscan alternative orthodoxy—practices of contemplation and expressing itself in radical compassion, particularly for the socially marginalized.
Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).
Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.
Fr. Richard is author of numerous books, including Everything Belongs, Adam’s Return, The Naked Now, Breathing Under Water, Falling Upward, Immortal Diamond, Eager to Love, and The Divine Dance: The Trinity and Your Transformation (with Mike Morrell).
Fr. Richard is academic Dean of the Living School for Action and Contemplation. Drawing upon Christianity's place within the Perennial Tradition, the mission of the Living School is to produce compassionate and powerfully learned individuals who will work for positive change in the world based on awareness of our common union with God and all beings. Visit cac.org for more information.
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August 10, 2021
This is my second adventure reading Richard Rohr and will not be the last. I soooo much enjoy his thoughtful commentary. Rohr calls The Book of Job "the perennial ungodly story that must be told whenever God makes no sense and we are tempted to tell stories other than the story of faith."
Job a non-Israelite gets an entire book in the Bible. Rather unusual for the Book defined the history of Israel. Job is a God-fearing pagan who seeks truth not easy answers. Truth is the best ally of God. Job's counselors appeal to tradition and law and common sense. Interestingly, they keep talking about God but only Job wants talk to God. They want to foresee what God will do while Job just wants to see God. The counselors "use every stock phrase we've ever heard from clergy stereotypes or read in pious books. And they are rather intelligent but the conclusion of The Book of Job is that none of these remedies is adequate or even correct."
Job's prayer is a model on how to pray. As Job puts it in 13:12, rebuking the counselors: "Your old maxims are proverbs of ash. Your retorts, retorts of clay. Silence! Now I will do the talking, whatever may befall me. I put my flesh between my teeth. I take my life in my hands."
Job boldly confronts God. He seeks truth more than the private religious experience of Eliphaz, the orthodoxy of Bildad or the conventional wisdom of Zophar." Let him kill me if he will; I have no other hope than to justify my conduct in his eyes. This very boldness gives promise of my release, since no godless man would dare to appear before him" (13:15-16). Job is wrestling with the mystery of evil and suffering. He knows or assumes that God is a benevolent God, even his friend. He contrasts this to an illogical, inconsistent and unjust world.
The message of Job is to look less to God for easy answers and more to trusting him even if he remains hidden. "This I know, that my Avenger (go-el) lives and He, the last, will take his stand on earth. After my awakening, he will set me close to Him, and from my own flesh I shall look on God. He whom I see will take my part, these eyes will look on Him and find no stranger" (19:25-27).
Rohr reminds us that faith also means being willing to live without answers. True friends, unlike Job's counselors are quick to give easy and trite answers. One can't ultimately provide the answers for others. All one can do is walk with the other and help others rightly to hear themselves, to be there, to understand’ to bear one another’s burdens. Rohr sees Job as a foreshadowing of Jesus. "Jesus becomes the new Job, the one pleading for justice from God, pleading that God will defend his case. When we have studied and prayed our way through The Book of Job we are much more prepared to understand the passion of Jesus."
When Elihu begins a sermon on God's wisdom and omnipotence, God effectively intervenes and shuts him up. God does answer Job's questions but, in true Socratic method, he posits questions to Job. Finally, in chapter 42, we get Job's final answer: "I know that you are all-powerful. What you conceive, you can perform. I am the man who obscured your designs with my empty-headed words. I have been holding forth on matters I cannot understand, on marvels beyond me and my knowledge. I knew you then only by hearsay; but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract all I have said." None of Job's questions are answered but he has seen! In the end, God is less an answer than a presence and an encounter!
Quotes
"I believe--if I am to believe Jesus-- that God is suffering love. This God who suffers the most is also the God who saves the most. The wounded one is the redeemer. Thus, many cultures loved to picture Jesus as wounded from head to foot, and we thought the iconography was overdone. But it is exactly the same image that begins The Book of Job: "Job was struck down with malignant ulcers from the sole of his foot to the top of his head" (2:8). "He who carries all, understands all, He who has suffered all, has a universal compassion. He who has been afflicted and lived is the bearer of hope. The wounded one is always the gift given."
"No piece of religious literature teaches the way of descent more daringly and effectively than The Book of Job. Even the name Job is considered by some linguists to be an acronym for 'Where is the Father?'. The name and the story cry out against a darkness that refuses to reveal itself—and a path that does not, at first, feel like life at all. Surely, no book is less an answer book than The Book of Job. No book is less therapeutic or less "helpful," as we ordinarily use the term. It fixes nothing, explains nothing and dismisses those who even try to explain. Surely, it is amazing that anyone dared to write or publish such a book. It shows all the signs of authentic divine revelation but reveals hardly anything that we first hoped for. Yet the story of Job realigns and regenerates the soul in ways that few books can."
Job a non-Israelite gets an entire book in the Bible. Rather unusual for the Book defined the history of Israel. Job is a God-fearing pagan who seeks truth not easy answers. Truth is the best ally of God. Job's counselors appeal to tradition and law and common sense. Interestingly, they keep talking about God but only Job wants talk to God. They want to foresee what God will do while Job just wants to see God. The counselors "use every stock phrase we've ever heard from clergy stereotypes or read in pious books. And they are rather intelligent but the conclusion of The Book of Job is that none of these remedies is adequate or even correct."
Job's prayer is a model on how to pray. As Job puts it in 13:12, rebuking the counselors: "Your old maxims are proverbs of ash. Your retorts, retorts of clay. Silence! Now I will do the talking, whatever may befall me. I put my flesh between my teeth. I take my life in my hands."
Job boldly confronts God. He seeks truth more than the private religious experience of Eliphaz, the orthodoxy of Bildad or the conventional wisdom of Zophar." Let him kill me if he will; I have no other hope than to justify my conduct in his eyes. This very boldness gives promise of my release, since no godless man would dare to appear before him" (13:15-16). Job is wrestling with the mystery of evil and suffering. He knows or assumes that God is a benevolent God, even his friend. He contrasts this to an illogical, inconsistent and unjust world.
The message of Job is to look less to God for easy answers and more to trusting him even if he remains hidden. "This I know, that my Avenger (go-el) lives and He, the last, will take his stand on earth. After my awakening, he will set me close to Him, and from my own flesh I shall look on God. He whom I see will take my part, these eyes will look on Him and find no stranger" (19:25-27).
Rohr reminds us that faith also means being willing to live without answers. True friends, unlike Job's counselors are quick to give easy and trite answers. One can't ultimately provide the answers for others. All one can do is walk with the other and help others rightly to hear themselves, to be there, to understand’ to bear one another’s burdens. Rohr sees Job as a foreshadowing of Jesus. "Jesus becomes the new Job, the one pleading for justice from God, pleading that God will defend his case. When we have studied and prayed our way through The Book of Job we are much more prepared to understand the passion of Jesus."
When Elihu begins a sermon on God's wisdom and omnipotence, God effectively intervenes and shuts him up. God does answer Job's questions but, in true Socratic method, he posits questions to Job. Finally, in chapter 42, we get Job's final answer: "I know that you are all-powerful. What you conceive, you can perform. I am the man who obscured your designs with my empty-headed words. I have been holding forth on matters I cannot understand, on marvels beyond me and my knowledge. I knew you then only by hearsay; but now, having seen you with my own eyes, I retract all I have said." None of Job's questions are answered but he has seen! In the end, God is less an answer than a presence and an encounter!
Quotes
"I believe--if I am to believe Jesus-- that God is suffering love. This God who suffers the most is also the God who saves the most. The wounded one is the redeemer. Thus, many cultures loved to picture Jesus as wounded from head to foot, and we thought the iconography was overdone. But it is exactly the same image that begins The Book of Job: "Job was struck down with malignant ulcers from the sole of his foot to the top of his head" (2:8). "He who carries all, understands all, He who has suffered all, has a universal compassion. He who has been afflicted and lived is the bearer of hope. The wounded one is always the gift given."
"No piece of religious literature teaches the way of descent more daringly and effectively than The Book of Job. Even the name Job is considered by some linguists to be an acronym for 'Where is the Father?'. The name and the story cry out against a darkness that refuses to reveal itself—and a path that does not, at first, feel like life at all. Surely, no book is less an answer book than The Book of Job. No book is less therapeutic or less "helpful," as we ordinarily use the term. It fixes nothing, explains nothing and dismisses those who even try to explain. Surely, it is amazing that anyone dared to write or publish such a book. It shows all the signs of authentic divine revelation but reveals hardly anything that we first hoped for. Yet the story of Job realigns and regenerates the soul in ways that few books can."
July 28, 2014
I have always been somewhat perplexed by the Book of Job. The theology seemed a little odd in the way God gives Satan free reign to mess with this guy, and things just go down hill from there. Rohr breaks down the book in a very readable and pointed way, and I really appreciated his interpretations and take-aways.
"Can a human being love God for nothing?" is the question that "sets the whole drama in motion". Rohr begins at the beginning of the book. Job goes through immense suffering, and his friends come to give him some advice.
"There is no correlation between sin and suffering, between virtue and reward. That logic is hard for us to break . . . the three and eventually four friends of Job are intent on preserving their notion of God, their notion of job, and their notion of justice at all costs. As I see it, they perfectly represent the most common masquerades for true Biblical faith: ideology, orthodoxy, conventional wisdom, and heroic idealism . . . the difference between Job and his advisers is that they want and demand clarity and order from the universe. They want to foresee what God will do. Job wants to see God. They want to preserve a world of correct and coherent ideas. Job wants to preserve his relationship with God, even if its means his "littlement." (p. 33-34)
I love Rohr's breakdown of the different perspectives offered by Job's friends. It is easy to see my own weaknesses and philosophies mingled with the comfortable doctrine presented. A big theme I noticed that Rohr emphasized was the idea that by blessing humanity with moral agency, God allows himself to not be in full control of everything.
"When Jesus sat looking down on Jerusalem and crying over it, the last thing he needes was a pious soul to run up to him and say, "Now, Jesus, don't cry. It's all in God's perfect plan. In fact, it's even prophesied in the scriptures." No. Let Jesus cry. Crying is a different mode entirely than fixing, explaining, or controlling. We need to cry more, I think . . . God remains in love and therefore out of the control mode. When we are not in love, we are invariably trying to control everything --it's a good litmus test." (p. 60)
Indeed, letting go of control seems to be the crux of true faith. "Faith is having the security of being insecure" (p. 74). This reminds me of some very powerful principals of Taoism. Letting go can be more powerful than taking charge. Simplicity is more elegant and useful than complexity. Along those lines comes the idea that our desires are ever present and molding our character.
"Job is being led beyond ideas and concepts to mere desire. He has been simplified by suffering, which is what suffering always does. He is reduced to pure desire. What we desire enough is likely what we are likely to get. The all-important thing is to desire, and desire deeply What we desire is what we become. What we have already desired is who we are right now. We must ask God to fill us with the right desire." (p. 123).
The quote above sounds like it could easily have come from Elder Richard G. Scott or Dallin H Oaks! I love it. A big thing Rohr talks about is the importance of realizing that the world and our own lives are not about us. Once we really know who we are and understand our divine identity, THEN we can really begin the journey of coming to know and love God. We must come to terms with our own fallen nature, and accept our weaknesses with integrity.
The conclusion of the book deserves more of my time and reflection. I am not sure how much I agree or even understand what Rohr is taking from this but I do feel like the general idea is aligned with how I feel about Job's story.
"God doesn't formally answer a single one of Job's complaints. Only God could get away with this. All God does is offer a radically new perspective which makes the answers unnecessary. God invites Job into a warm and personal encounter with himself." (p. 149)
Back to the original point, there doesn't have to be reasons for everything. God is not a behaviorist! He lets it rain on the good and the bad. Sometimes horrible things happen, but what is the most important is our learning God and His nature. "To see and be seen. That's all any of us desire."
"Can a human being love God for nothing?" is the question that "sets the whole drama in motion". Rohr begins at the beginning of the book. Job goes through immense suffering, and his friends come to give him some advice.
"There is no correlation between sin and suffering, between virtue and reward. That logic is hard for us to break . . . the three and eventually four friends of Job are intent on preserving their notion of God, their notion of job, and their notion of justice at all costs. As I see it, they perfectly represent the most common masquerades for true Biblical faith: ideology, orthodoxy, conventional wisdom, and heroic idealism . . . the difference between Job and his advisers is that they want and demand clarity and order from the universe. They want to foresee what God will do. Job wants to see God. They want to preserve a world of correct and coherent ideas. Job wants to preserve his relationship with God, even if its means his "littlement." (p. 33-34)
I love Rohr's breakdown of the different perspectives offered by Job's friends. It is easy to see my own weaknesses and philosophies mingled with the comfortable doctrine presented. A big theme I noticed that Rohr emphasized was the idea that by blessing humanity with moral agency, God allows himself to not be in full control of everything.
"When Jesus sat looking down on Jerusalem and crying over it, the last thing he needes was a pious soul to run up to him and say, "Now, Jesus, don't cry. It's all in God's perfect plan. In fact, it's even prophesied in the scriptures." No. Let Jesus cry. Crying is a different mode entirely than fixing, explaining, or controlling. We need to cry more, I think . . . God remains in love and therefore out of the control mode. When we are not in love, we are invariably trying to control everything --it's a good litmus test." (p. 60)
Indeed, letting go of control seems to be the crux of true faith. "Faith is having the security of being insecure" (p. 74). This reminds me of some very powerful principals of Taoism. Letting go can be more powerful than taking charge. Simplicity is more elegant and useful than complexity. Along those lines comes the idea that our desires are ever present and molding our character.
"Job is being led beyond ideas and concepts to mere desire. He has been simplified by suffering, which is what suffering always does. He is reduced to pure desire. What we desire enough is likely what we are likely to get. The all-important thing is to desire, and desire deeply What we desire is what we become. What we have already desired is who we are right now. We must ask God to fill us with the right desire." (p. 123).
The quote above sounds like it could easily have come from Elder Richard G. Scott or Dallin H Oaks! I love it. A big thing Rohr talks about is the importance of realizing that the world and our own lives are not about us. Once we really know who we are and understand our divine identity, THEN we can really begin the journey of coming to know and love God. We must come to terms with our own fallen nature, and accept our weaknesses with integrity.
The conclusion of the book deserves more of my time and reflection. I am not sure how much I agree or even understand what Rohr is taking from this but I do feel like the general idea is aligned with how I feel about Job's story.
"God doesn't formally answer a single one of Job's complaints. Only God could get away with this. All God does is offer a radically new perspective which makes the answers unnecessary. God invites Job into a warm and personal encounter with himself." (p. 149)
Back to the original point, there doesn't have to be reasons for everything. God is not a behaviorist! He lets it rain on the good and the bad. Sometimes horrible things happen, but what is the most important is our learning God and His nature. "To see and be seen. That's all any of us desire."
March 6, 2019
I disagreed on some theology within the book, probably because Rohr is Catholic and I an Protestant, but that’s ok. In spite of this, there are some genuinely great ideas and thoughts in here. It is not exegetical, but rather reflections from reading the text just as it claims. In my opinion, it didn’t keep fresh as the book continued, got stale fast.
November 24, 2025
Very insightful and touched on a lot of my curiosities about Job and how to view suffering.
February 14, 2025
Rohr's take on Job is refreshing and intriguing in this expositional commentary (a work that still comments on the whole of a book, but is from more of a personal and pastoral approach).
Job is a beautiful part of scripture that touches on the problem of evil. What I love about the book is that it helps us to dive into that topic, while also thinking about how we relate to God and others in the face of our sufferings - great or minor. While some might get frustrated by the lack of clear answers about suffering in the Book of Job (especially given that God is speaking directly to Job in the latter portion), I think that's refreshing. It's very human in how we can't get a straight answer on the whos, whats and whys of suffering, and very divine in how it can pull us into dialogue with God about the topic. I actually think there are few things that we can discuss with God that are more intimate than how we experience pain and suffering in this life.
Rohr takes a more positive and relational bend with his read on Job. He poses Job's dialogue towards God as a bid for intimacy, while also framing Job's friends as those giving "the right answers" (and some which can't be validated by a human), but at the wrong time or in an unloving affront to Job's situation and condition. I love the route that Rohr takes - Job can feel like a harsh book, with Job seeming to throw barbed cries at God, while God seems to tell Job to "settle down and know his place". While there is some of that, I've found a lot of comfort in Job by playing with the posture of God a bit in my reading. Reframing God from a spot of imposing authority to a compassionate creator that is comforting His beloved creation while aligning them to right-relation sings to who I've experienced God to be.
Two things that might be annoying or concerning as you read this:
1 ) Rohr is a bit of a controversial figure. I agree with or appreciate a lot that he says, but there are some theological stances and directions he goes that I differ on. That doesn't come out too much in this particular book, however. I like this about Rohr, but I respect that not everybody will/would.
2) Rohr is passionate about particular topics, and sometimes (it would seem to me) he uses a reflection on a part of Job to make a sizeable leap to something that is looser in relation. However, Rohr is a fantastic writer and, as it would seem, a good soul to open an ear to.
Read if:
-Theodicy/The problem of evil and suffering is of interest to you
-You're looking for a different angle of reflection on the Book of Job
-You're looking for some good insights on different subjects related or quasi-related to Job's contents (Rohr tends to bring his axes to grind into play in his books, which would be problematic if Rohr wasn't so brilliant)
Job is a beautiful part of scripture that touches on the problem of evil. What I love about the book is that it helps us to dive into that topic, while also thinking about how we relate to God and others in the face of our sufferings - great or minor. While some might get frustrated by the lack of clear answers about suffering in the Book of Job (especially given that God is speaking directly to Job in the latter portion), I think that's refreshing. It's very human in how we can't get a straight answer on the whos, whats and whys of suffering, and very divine in how it can pull us into dialogue with God about the topic. I actually think there are few things that we can discuss with God that are more intimate than how we experience pain and suffering in this life.
Rohr takes a more positive and relational bend with his read on Job. He poses Job's dialogue towards God as a bid for intimacy, while also framing Job's friends as those giving "the right answers" (and some which can't be validated by a human), but at the wrong time or in an unloving affront to Job's situation and condition. I love the route that Rohr takes - Job can feel like a harsh book, with Job seeming to throw barbed cries at God, while God seems to tell Job to "settle down and know his place". While there is some of that, I've found a lot of comfort in Job by playing with the posture of God a bit in my reading. Reframing God from a spot of imposing authority to a compassionate creator that is comforting His beloved creation while aligning them to right-relation sings to who I've experienced God to be.
Two things that might be annoying or concerning as you read this:
1 ) Rohr is a bit of a controversial figure. I agree with or appreciate a lot that he says, but there are some theological stances and directions he goes that I differ on. That doesn't come out too much in this particular book, however. I like this about Rohr, but I respect that not everybody will/would.
2) Rohr is passionate about particular topics, and sometimes (it would seem to me) he uses a reflection on a part of Job to make a sizeable leap to something that is looser in relation. However, Rohr is a fantastic writer and, as it would seem, a good soul to open an ear to.
Read if:
-Theodicy/The problem of evil and suffering is of interest to you
-You're looking for a different angle of reflection on the Book of Job
-You're looking for some good insights on different subjects related or quasi-related to Job's contents (Rohr tends to bring his axes to grind into play in his books, which would be problematic if Rohr wasn't so brilliant)
April 8, 2014
At a time in our world of great suffering, wars, famine, horrific weather patterns wreaking havoc across the globe, I believe now more then ever is the time for a journey back to Faith. And the story of Job and how he manages to endure horrific physical pain, questioning the very reason he was put on earth and wanting to know from God all those unanswered questions that we all share, why am I not hearing from you when all I ever did was believe in you and love you. Don't you care about what happens to me, after all you gave birth to me. That is the plight of Job. It is one of the most poetic Gospels and incredibly enlightening, opening us up to all that pains us, allowing the pain, even asking for it and then understanding that we all suffer pain to experience, love, life and joy. This book fell into my lap and couldn't have come at a more perfect time, as I seek to understand my own suffering from environmental toxicity, and wonder why me? I believe we all need to do some soul searching, stop expecting perfection and riches to be the answer and know that it is the poor and the suffering who have much more to teach us. Yay for Job and an understanding suffering God.
June 22, 2020
This is old Richard Rohr, or should I say younger Richard Rohr, published in 1996. Based on a series of talks, it's a rather lovely spiritual commentary on the Book of Job.
True to its subject matter, it posits no pat or simple answers. In true Rohr form (though at this stage perhaps before some of his later excursions in theological innovation), the whole topic is situated with no wish to desecrate mystery, giving suffering a place of respect within the purview of an encompassing God. The spiritual director in Rohr calls us to take account of our shadow self and step forward towards an encounter with the Whirlwind who is always greater than our answers, no matter how 'correct' they may be.
True to its subject matter, it posits no pat or simple answers. In true Rohr form (though at this stage perhaps before some of his later excursions in theological innovation), the whole topic is situated with no wish to desecrate mystery, giving suffering a place of respect within the purview of an encompassing God. The spiritual director in Rohr calls us to take account of our shadow self and step forward towards an encounter with the Whirlwind who is always greater than our answers, no matter how 'correct' they may be.
December 4, 2017
The importance, the relevance of The Book of Job has eluded me ever since I first read it for a class on Job in 1965. I always understood that Job was right (and good) and his friends were wrong (and therefore bad), but I couldn't reconcile it in my own mind. Therefore, every time I undertook reading it I did so with the hope that "this time will be different," but I always ended up disappointed. Richard Rohr's inciteful and well written book has served to explain, to reveal, what my own feeble mind could not. Anyone struggling as I have struggled will love this book.
August 9, 2025
I absolutely loved this book. I had not read any of Rohr's work previously but had heard him interviewed on podcasts and wasn't incredibly enamored, but thought he had some good insights on a few things. Yet I was intrigued when I saw he had written a book on my long-time Old Testament obsession, Job. A better title for this really would be "Job and Jesus: The Mystery of Suffering." Rohr walks the reader through the story of Job as a foreshadowing of Christ with thoughtful insight and reflection. "This God who suffers most is also the God who saves the most. The wounded one is the redeemer" (182). True faith often looks more like questioning and wrestling with God rather than the religious surety of Job's friends. Ultimately, Rohr works towards showing the reader an expanded understanding of suffering as an opportunity to turn outside of the self and meet with Christ, dying to the "false self" and turning to the "true self" hidden in God. A fascinating read with lots of underlining and food for thought. I don't do many re-reads, but I think this book will be one of them. I would recommend this to anyone who loves Job, is confused by Job, dislikes Job but wants to better understand the story and its significance, as well as anyone wishing to explore questions of theodicy.
January 9, 2022
An Incredible Companion Amidst Personal Suffering
I began reading Richard Rohr’s ‘Job and the Mystery of Suffering’ shortly after my shoulder cuff reconstruction surgery. As an incomplete quadriplegic I was left extremely dependent on the care of the hospital staff for the next three months while I recovered. I never felt so helpless in the deep pains of personal suffering. It would also be at this time that my wife fell ill and also ended up in hospital.
The profound thoughts Rohr shared brought a deep sense of encouragement and comfort during this time. I found myself realizing that like Job, all I desired was to sense, see, & hear The presence of God with me during this time. Through the community that engaged with me around quotes from his writings, the deep revelations of his love for me despite my confusion and failings, and the amazing grace of the hope he revealed as I slowly healed was an incredible companion throughout the past months journeys.
This story of life truly is magnificent and greater than me!
I began reading Richard Rohr’s ‘Job and the Mystery of Suffering’ shortly after my shoulder cuff reconstruction surgery. As an incomplete quadriplegic I was left extremely dependent on the care of the hospital staff for the next three months while I recovered. I never felt so helpless in the deep pains of personal suffering. It would also be at this time that my wife fell ill and also ended up in hospital.
The profound thoughts Rohr shared brought a deep sense of encouragement and comfort during this time. I found myself realizing that like Job, all I desired was to sense, see, & hear The presence of God with me during this time. Through the community that engaged with me around quotes from his writings, the deep revelations of his love for me despite my confusion and failings, and the amazing grace of the hope he revealed as I slowly healed was an incredible companion throughout the past months journeys.
This story of life truly is magnificent and greater than me!
August 17, 2020
I had no idea...
I've been familiar with the Book of Job for a few decades, and knew there were nuggets of wisdom buried here and there in all the loooong conversations and oddly descriptive phrases. But I had no idea the Book of Job was SO applicable to current life and my experiences today! I highlighted much of this book and even copied some sections into my journal for deeper consideration.
It's a great book... don't hesitate to purchase and read :-)
I've been familiar with the Book of Job for a few decades, and knew there were nuggets of wisdom buried here and there in all the loooong conversations and oddly descriptive phrases. But I had no idea the Book of Job was SO applicable to current life and my experiences today! I highlighted much of this book and even copied some sections into my journal for deeper consideration.
It's a great book... don't hesitate to purchase and read :-)
November 15, 2022
revealing and insightful about the nature of self and suffering….njoyable book and reframes the questions of suffering well…
Decided to pick this book up after seeing my friar friend reading it…thoughtfully written and reframes the question of suffering well…a short theological lesson in who god is and our response to god’s love.
Decided to pick this book up after seeing my friar friend reading it…thoughtfully written and reframes the question of suffering well…a short theological lesson in who god is and our response to god’s love.
July 14, 2025
My experience with Rohr is always mixed - he’s capable of some tremendous insights (this one particularly has a great conclusion) but always says at least one big thing that hugely pisses me off because of what I see as blind privilege on his part.
Read
June 2, 2019Fabulous. Really helpful.
October 16, 2020
learned immensely from this study of Job, mostly missed all his interpretations in the times I read. Books like this are special.
August 14, 2021
This was excellent.
Probably the best I have read of Richards work.
Probably the best I have read of Richards work.
Want to Read
January 21, 2022R
January 23, 2022
This is my favorite book that I have read about Job.
September 17, 2022
Job, a difficult book of the Bible, is difficult to understand. This book by Richard Rohr is enlightening.
I found some of the author's biases distracting.
I found some of the author's biases distracting.
August 14, 2024
Fantastic work. Father Rohr, while coming from a different tradition to myself, is such an insightful and wise writer. We so often settle for shallow and unsatisfying faith -- the good Franciscan won't stand for that.
April 20, 2013
"Darkness is a harsh term, don't you think? And yet it dominates the things I see." -Mumford & Sons, Sigh No More album, 2010.
To anyone who has experienced bad difficulties or encountered suffering in life, and has not found satisfaction in the pat answers and determined joyfulness of mainstream Christianity, this study of Job may address some issues seemingly ignored by many. The fallacy of "prosperity gospel" ("...we expect something back.", p. 29) is addressed, the mistaken idea of earning our heavenly reward ("...most people believe...we are going to get back as much as we give to God...salvation depends on us and our perfection and goodness...", p. 73) is covered, and over-stressing the authority of the church and the Bible (they "...are one step removed from the inner testimony of the spirit.", p. 89) is warned against, as it may become an avoidance of the inner journey and the discovery of one's own soul.
On p. 123, there is an interesting comment about Job searching for God and not finding God anywhere, and how this contrasts with Psalm 139 ("Wherever I go, he is there," omnipresence), in my mind conjuring up an idea of God's "omni-absence" as a sometime perception of the suffering one who can feel no sign of God's nearness.
The heart of the human dilemma, I think, is touched on exquisitely as "...a human being demanding his rights as a human being...Job is asking for the gift of unconditional love when he rejects any theory of retributive justice. He is demanding a God who respects and loves what God has created--just because it is," (p. 139)
Although Job does not get a clear answer, in the end he seems satisfied "to see and be seen. That's all any of us desire. For some eyes to go through us and understand... We desire to be seen all the way through." (p. 162)
And the final touch: Job must pray for his friends. "His redemption is not complete until he prays for those who caused him such pain." (p. 164)
The author of Job and the Mystery of Suffering points to Christ's suffering as a comfort, and also allows for the existence of the chaos factor, a mystery in a world created by a mighty God.
To anyone who has experienced bad difficulties or encountered suffering in life, and has not found satisfaction in the pat answers and determined joyfulness of mainstream Christianity, this study of Job may address some issues seemingly ignored by many. The fallacy of "prosperity gospel" ("...we expect something back.", p. 29) is addressed, the mistaken idea of earning our heavenly reward ("...most people believe...we are going to get back as much as we give to God...salvation depends on us and our perfection and goodness...", p. 73) is covered, and over-stressing the authority of the church and the Bible (they "...are one step removed from the inner testimony of the spirit.", p. 89) is warned against, as it may become an avoidance of the inner journey and the discovery of one's own soul.
On p. 123, there is an interesting comment about Job searching for God and not finding God anywhere, and how this contrasts with Psalm 139 ("Wherever I go, he is there," omnipresence), in my mind conjuring up an idea of God's "omni-absence" as a sometime perception of the suffering one who can feel no sign of God's nearness.
The heart of the human dilemma, I think, is touched on exquisitely as "...a human being demanding his rights as a human being...Job is asking for the gift of unconditional love when he rejects any theory of retributive justice. He is demanding a God who respects and loves what God has created--just because it is," (p. 139)
Although Job does not get a clear answer, in the end he seems satisfied "to see and be seen. That's all any of us desire. For some eyes to go through us and understand... We desire to be seen all the way through." (p. 162)
And the final touch: Job must pray for his friends. "His redemption is not complete until he prays for those who caused him such pain." (p. 164)
The author of Job and the Mystery of Suffering points to Christ's suffering as a comfort, and also allows for the existence of the chaos factor, a mystery in a world created by a mighty God.
July 29, 2011
This book evolved out of taped talks and lectures by Rohr on Job and the problem of suffering/evil. Because of this developmental history the chapters and chapter sections sometimes seem like random "spiritual reflections" (hence the appropriate subtitle) however they are all grounded by the narrative of Job and flow fairly logically. One thing is certain, there are some real gems found in this book --Everything from having a proper perspective on human emotions to a section discussing Simone Weil's take on seeking truth -- From the importance of listening to Dorothy Day and liberation theology -- In addition, interspersed throughout the book are the drawings of Patricia Karg which are a good complement and nice aesthetic touch. One important caveat for those who are considering possibly reading this book, true to the book's essential message, do not expect to come away with any theological answers to the problem of evil or human suffering. This book is not about answers but about descent. It is just as much about doubt as it is about faith. Love God and live the mystery!
May 27, 2015
Rohr is a good communicator and a thoughtful pastor - but his theological perspective limits him here, I think. One of the main lessons of Job is that we don't understand why particular suffering happens, but that God is with us in it and He transcends our experience. While honoring the mystery of suffering on the one had, I think Rohr tries to explain too much here.
December 25, 2010
I was finally able to understand the beauty and necessity of the book of Job. Without Job's story, which prefigures Christ's suffering, it would be much easier to substitute religiosity and pat answers with the actual, awful experience of God.
April 23, 2008
WOW! This book was a true eye/heart opener! I will read it over and over again!
October 14, 2008
Very revealing and self enlightening
November 1, 2009
Helps me in the journey with the evil of the world
March 1, 2012
Superb!
very rich text; full of insight and wisdom.
worth several rereads
Read
June 14, 2012Great stuff!
March 27, 2014
It was a joy to read this for Lent.
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