A Doctor with More Patients than Job

While searching for a new doctor last week, one receptionist told me that her doctor was very good and had more patients than Job. We both laughed, but I didn't really get the joke until after I hung up. (Again--for my young readers, phones used to need a hook to be hung on.)

My brain got the joke immediately, while Diane did not. Diane is very grateful for her brain. She is nothing without it.

Late that night a blog I had not visited before mentioned the Book of Job. That was a coincidence that Diane had to explore. Job had much, nice home and family, and a deep faith in God, so God used him as an example to Satan one day when Satan was hassling him about humanity.

Satan was like, "Oh sure, Dude, you gave him much, so of course he loves you and is righteous."
So God was like, "OK, whatever, I'll take away his riches, kill his loved ones and make him so sick he will want to die."
Satan was like, "S'on."

Well, Job was pretty upset, but he never blamed God. He wished he had never been born, but God never entered the equation. Job would just exude the virtue of patience and old Satan conceded God held the best cards.

God was pretty pumped up over this and he gave Job all his wealth back and then some, plus 140 years of a healthy life going forward. They remained buds 'till the end.

So Job shows up in several religions--confirming that sh** happens and you can't play the blame game and win.

What I liked about Job was how much he questioned God and life in general. God had no issue with that. Today such questioning is seen by many as a hatred and disbelief in God. Religious foolishness at its best.

I'll let you know if the new doctor has any more patients after I visit her.