Here is a rough draft of the beginning of The Job Project story line.
Introduction
Our Heavenly Father has given us a great gift in the Holy Bible’s book of Job. The Holy Creator has blessed us with a revelation of truth that we would not have known, a dispensation of wisdom. Thank the Lord for this gem, this precious treasure. Within the pages of this Biblical account is not only human history, but also heavenly history. The veil was pulled back enough to actually see what was happening in Heaven and how it affected human history. Then the veil was cast aside, for a time, when we heard the audible voice of God Himself preaching a sermon as only He could preach it.
The story, in this book and movie, surrounds the historical record of Job’s trial of faith and ties in other historical figures and events from the Bible. What was it like to live in the centuries after the flood, during the ice age? That is what the young lady in our story is trying to imagine. This is not a bad exercise. It is a form of meditating on Scripture.
One of the reasons that these historical events even happened is so that they could be recorded in Scripture and we could learn from them.
Thank you for joining us as we take a stroll within the Biblical boundaries of what might have happened.
The Tornado’s Approach
The green of the sea water cannot be seen over the distant plain, but it’s effect on the weather is quite apparent in the southern sky. As the mountainous clouds of the hurricane approach, many preparations are done, which have been practiced many times before over the stormy years. Many hearts turn from hurry to dread as the colour of the clouds start to take on a green hue.
This time is different than any other tornado in recent centuries, though, as the entire city is dumbfounded to hear music. From the distance is heard a massive brass orchestra, as if it were heralding the approach of the cyclone. It is a new song, composed and performed by Heaven Itself.
[Visual, from high above, of region with approaching hurricane, full of lightning flashes, to the Southwest of the city. The sky directly over the city is clearer, so the city can also be seen. The massive ziggurat is in the foreground with three tiers and huge zodiac sign carvings, three per side, covering the second tier. Just after the viewer descends below the level of the flat cloud ceiling of the hurricane spiral, a large lightning bolt strikes the apex of the building, still in the distance below, yet too close for comfort. As the viewer moves North, the canal can be seen reaching out into the plain to the West, extending the ship trade deep into the city.]
The majesty and power of the music is so compelling that all human activity stops West of the great river, from the region of the canal in the North, to the area around the great ziggurat in the South, as the wind halts, signifying the near presence of the powerful whirlwind.
[As the viewer approaches the heart of the city, the view turns to the West, seeing the funnel cloud, and bolts of lightning, in the plain outside the city. People are tentatively leaving the heavily fortified stone storm shelters, not knowing what to think of the music.]
It was as much as their hearts could take. But, then their hearts melted in terror when they heard the voice. Each thunderous word rolled echoes along the valley to the north.
Everyone knew the pronouncement of Eber that they would hear a message from God today, but no one could have imagined the form that it took.
A supernaturally large lightning bolt washes out the view of the tornado a split-second before the first word, “Who …” The thunderous voice shook the earth as the music continued. [Lightning bolt] “Is …” as the shout of a distant company of warriors, as the voice of many waters. [Lightning bolt] “This …” each word transformed to rolling thunder as its echo died.
Tea time
“Jane …” No response. “Hello … Jane,” her smiling mother persisted, slightly amused at her daughter’s daydreaming. Mom is coming into the parlour from the kitchen and found Jane gazing out the window at the springtime view of the garden, with a book open in her lap.
“Sorry … what Mom?” Jane said a bit sheepishly, shaking her head as if trying to wake up as she turned her head toward her mother.
“Sorry to interrupt your thoughts,” said Mom caringly, then smiled, “what were you dreaming about?” She sat down across from Jane to listen to her answer.
“I was imagining what it might of been like for them to hear the voice of God from the tornado. They must have been quite scared of the thunderous voice.”
“The tea is ready,” said Mom, “do you remember seeing the tornado when you were much younger?”
“Yes, I remember a green funnel-shaped cloud, but not very clearly. That was a nice visit to our family in Oklahoma. I was thinking about the Bible study this evening about the book of Job. The preacher said that it was the first book of the Bible that was written, so I wonder who wrote the book of Job.”
Mom stood up as she answered, “That sounds like a question for your dad. Let’s go see what he has to say about it after we get some tea for him.”
As they carry the tray over, they hear Dad and Jane’s brothers talking with some visiting guys about fishing, and stop to listen for awhile. As the banter wears down, Mom steps forward to offer the tea. Setting the tray down and pouring, she hands out cups and snacks while she talks to Dad. “Jane has a question for you about the Bible.”
“OK, what is your question?” He asked, then he sampled the snack and sipped the tea.
“Well, I was wondering who wrote the book of Job? Did Job write it himself?” She asked, then she sampled the snack and sipped the tea.
Finishing chewing and swallowing, “That’s what some of the commentaries say,” said Dad, “but the Bible doesn’t say, does it?” Then he took another bite.
“Not that I remember,” confirmed Jane, then she took another bite.
“So do we know who wrote it?” Asked Dad.
“I guess not, but who do you think wrote it Dad?”
Dad was thoughtful as he took another sip, then said, “Well, considering the high commendation of Job, it seems unlikely to me that he wrote it himself. His righteousness would prevent such boasting.”
“That makes sense to me too,” said Jane nodding thoughtfully.
Dad continued, “I think there must have been a prophet at the time who is not necessarily mentioned in the book of Job. He could have been the one to have the heavenly visions and to keep a historical record of these events. In the book of Job, there is a narrator, this would be the inspired prophet explaining how everything fits together and the lessons we can learn.” Then Dad took another sip and held up his finger as if he thought of something interesting, “If you notice carefully, after Job repents, God rebukes Job’s three friends, but this time it doesn’t say that God is speaking from the whirlwind any more. So, this message might have been delivered by the prophet as well.”
“Oh, I never thought of that, wow, thanks Dad!”
Jane’s brother chimed in, “Dad, what about when preacher said Elihu was preaching the gospel? I thought the gospel was in the New Testament.”
Dad thought through another sip, “In a way, the gospel is a New Testament thing, but not completely. The atoning blood of Christ was shed once for all human history. When we do baptism and communion, we are looking back to what Jesus did [as he points behind]. In the Old Testament, their rituals were looking forward to what the Messiah would do [as he points forward]. So, all believers in history are saved the same way.”
“OK, I get it, thanks Dad,” said his son, with his mouth full of food.
Dad half-smiled, slightly amused by his son’s garbled answer and said with a wink, “Some day, when you are more mature, you will eschew talking with food in your mouth.”
Fishing trip prep
As Jane walks away, sipping tea, her imagination gets the best of her again as she finds a comfortable chair. As she sits, you can see in her hand a book called “The Puzzle of Ancient Man” with her finger holding her place.
…
Want to hear more?
While on the topic of Bible chronology, I must mention “The Chronology of the Old Testament” by Floyd Nolen Jones, published by Master Books. This book receives my highest commendation.
WhenHisVoiceIsHeard 