At the Scent of Water: The Ground of Hope in the Book of Job

by J. Gerald Janzen

In this remarkable rereading of the biblical book of Job, often discussed as an attempt to justify the ways of God to man, J. Gerald Janzen brings new light to Job's story, showing how God invites Job to give up the traditional logic of reward-punishment for a life-affirming strategy of risk-reward. From this perspective, affirmation of life in the face of all its vulnerabilities is the path to true participation in the mystery of existence.

At the Scent of Water traces Job's journey from prosperity, through calamity and bitter anguish, to an encounter with God's presence in a rainstorm that renews the earth and his own appetite for life.

Janzen includes a candid epilogue on his own struggle with aggressive prostate cancer, which enabled him to connect personally with Job and to find a fresh and illuminating grace. At the Scent of Water will especially resonate with any readers who have experienced grief or suffering.

Genres: Biblical Studies, Christian

151 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Justin Dewell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janzen brings several fresh methods of viewing Job to light in this book. You will see new patterns in the book that will help you understand Job for your life.

[Annette Hill]

Read for Job preaching series. Janzen wrote the commentary I worked from. I also emailed him, he still lives in Indianapolis where he retired from CTS.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Janzen is first and foremost a teacher, dedicated to understanding Scripture and couching it in a way that will make it readily accessible to students.
Here he uses the construct of hands, mind, and heart to present the meaning of the Book of Job. As a baby begins to interact with the world by grasping things with his hands, and then grasping with his mind, he also learns by understanding by way of his feelings.
The problem of evil---the "impossible triangle" which asks how can God be all-powerful, all-good, and allow the innocent to suffer---is, he says, impossible to comprehend by holding the three angles together at the same time. It's too much for us, especially if we attempt to understand it logically.
Using concepts that Alfred North Whitehead introduced to explain his cosmology, Jansen concludes that only in a relationship of love, and so trust, can one 'sit comfortably with' the impossible triangle.
It is only in love that we can risk ourselves. So trusting ourselves toward God is not something that is foreign to our experience, but we do need to accept that our experience is always analogous when it comes to comprehending God.