The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person

Available instantly

Audiobook
$0.00
with membership trial

Hardcover
$40.00

Audio CD
from $49.99

Your audiobook is waiting!

Click above for unlimited listening to select audiobooks, Audible Originals, and podcasts.
One credit a month to pick any title from our entire premium selection — yours to keep (you'll use your first credit now).
You will get an email reminder before your trial ends.
$14.95 a month after 30 days. Cancel online anytime.

Learn more about membership

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

List Price: $13.50

By completing your purchase, you agree to Audible’s Conditions Of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice.

Sold and delivered by Audible, an Amazon company

The Book of Job: When Bad Things Happened to a Good Person Audible Audiobook – Unabridged

Harold S. Kushner (Author, Narrator), Random House Audio (Publisher)

189

See all formats and editions

Part of the Jewish Encounter series

From one of our most trusted spiritual advisers, a thoughtful, illuminating guide to that most fascinating of biblical texts, the book of Job, and what it can teach us about living in a troubled world.

The story of Job is one of unjust things happening to a good man. Yet after losing everything, Job—though confused, angry, and questioning God—refuses to reject his faith, although he challenges some central aspects of it. Rabbi Harold S. Kushner examines the questions raised by Job’s experience, questions that have challenged wisdom seekers and worshippers for centuries. What kind of God permits such bad things to happen to good people? Why does God test loyal followers? Can a truly good God be all-powerful?

Rooted in the text, the critical tradition that surrounds it, and the author’s own profoundly moral thinking, Kushner’s study gives us the book of Job as a touchstone for our time. Taking lessons from historical and personal tragedy, Kushner teaches us about what can and cannot be controlled, about the power of faith when all seems dark, and about our ability to find God.

Rigorous and insightful yet deeply affecting, The Book of Job is balm for a distressed age—and Rabbi Kushner’s most important book since When Bad Things Happen to Good People.

Listening Length

5 hours and 55 minutes
Author

Harold S. Kushner
Narrator

Harold S. Kushner
Audible release date

October 2, 2012
Language

English
Publisher

Random House Audio
ASIN

B009KF0MRW
Version

Unabridged
Program Type

Audiobook
See all details

Report an issue with this product or seller

Read & Listen

Switch between reading the Kindle book & listening to the Audible audiobook with Whispersync for Voice.
Get the Audible audiobook for the reduced price of $4.50 after you buy the Kindle book.

People who viewed this also viewed

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

People who bought this also bought

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Related to this topic

Page 1 of 1Start OverPage 1 of 1

Product details

Listening Length	5 hours and 55 minutes
Author	Harold S. Kushner
Narrator	Harold S. Kushner
Whispersync for Voice	Ready
Audible.com Release Date	October 02, 2012
Publisher	Random House Audio
Program Type	Audiobook
Version	Unabridged
Language	English
ASIN	B009KF0MRW
Best Sellers Rank	#101,086 in Audible Books & Originals (See Top 100 in Audible Books & Originals) #213 in Bibles #304 in Judaism (Audible Books & Originals) #818 in Old Testament Commentaries

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5

189 global ratings

How customer reviews and ratings work

Sort reviews by

Top reviews from the United States

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

David R

Must-Read for Every Human

Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

There are books that help you understand a topic better, or clarify the difficult points. Then there are books that completely undo your understanding and open a whole new world of thought. This book is the latter.

I’ve been studying Job on and off for the last 3 years. During that time I’ve read about a dozen books on the book of Job and topic of suffering. I have learned something from all of them but this book clearly stands out.

Kushner doesn’t take the time to go verse by verse and explain what is being said – and I think that is a real benefit of his writing. He aims and grasping the larger ideas – what is the main thought Job and his friends are communication, what is the purpose of God’s interruption, what conclusion are readers supposed to arrive at after finishing the book.

Because he approaches the book of Job and the problem of suffering from such a high level he is able to see things and reach conclusions others have missed. I honestly have never heard the final chapters of Job interpreted as he has done it and I am deeply touched by the picture of God and life he draws for his readers.

That being said, I am reading this as a Christian and for that reason I did see some theological differences with mainstream Christian thought. But many of those were well founded and challenged me in productive ways.

This is a book the author lived through and readers can tell. I believe every person – religious or not – should take the time to read this book and evolve their understanding of pain in the world.

23 people found this helpful

Helpful

Saint Shane

... was clear a life labor and a labor of love. I have spent a lifetime myself puzzling over ...

Reviewed in the United States on January 27, 2015

Verified Purchase

This was clearly a life's labor and a labor of love. I have spent my lifetime puzzling over Job, as well. I have long asked myself if I love the book of Job or if I hate it. My struggle over Job is paralleled by that which I have had with God and life generally; namely, should I love God or hate him, should I love and accept the bitter realities of life or hate them. This book shows how well Job represents this enigma. For the first time ever, after reading rabbi Kushner's book, I can say I am no longer conflicted about Job. I now unequivocally love the book of Job.

Kushner's book is one the most profound books written which attempts to take the theodical problem, head on. Kushner's reading and exposition of Job is unique and touching. He also spends a great deal of time reviewing ancient, medieval, modern and even current commentaries and interpretations of the book, making this book an invaluable resource to scholarly study. I love Kushner, the first time I heard him speak was at a college seminar, and he absolutely blew my mind. Since then I have watched him debate on panels, and talk religion with Christians, atheists and Muslims. He always acquits himself admirably and has added much to my life as a Christian, turned radical atheist, turned Christian again; never, even while an atheist, have I ever lost respect or love for Kushner. This book is the magnum opus of a true maestro. God bless you, and keep my Rabbi.

6 people found this helpful

Helpful

mlandg

Intense reading - not light!

Reviewed in the United States on February 11, 2014

Verified Purchase

Must read the real book of Job along with these thoughts. Some thoughts are not necessarily in agreement with my Christian background. It is written by a Jewish rabbi. However, much food for thought and well worth the study. Thought provoking and will make you think deeply about the book of Job and how it is relevant to how we think of God .

One person found this helpful

Helpful

Morton

Looking a suffering without pretense

Reviewed in the United States on April 6, 2015

Verified Purchase

This kind of subject matter is so easily ruined, as the author points out, by well meaning people, who explain to a suffering person that this is God's way of getting us to a higher spiritual status (my wording, not his). But he notes that one commentator suggests a good response to a suffering person is compassion and seeking to alleviate the suffering, as can be done. "I think she may on to something" Kushner suggests. I have not finished the book and he does get quite a bit into scriptural analysis sometimes. I can't fault him for this, as he is obviously a thoughtful biblical scholar. But what I have found of most value half way through the book is it's lack of pretense and honest approach to the issue, without any saccharine veneer of trying to paper over sorrow or suffering with empty religious platitudes. For this I say "thank you!" I am looking forward to finishing the book and rereading it and sharing it. Right now, a house guest has it and is enjoying it quite a bit.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

Marc Swerdloff

fundamental issues for a sentient being

Reviewed in the United States on December 25, 2022

Verified Purchase

A must read for those grappling with the issue of gratuitous pain in our world. It is a masterpiece from a Rabbi influenced by the greatest thinkers since time immemorial.

Helpful

Joan Burstyn

This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's ...

Reviewed in the United States on November 13, 2015

Verified Purchase

This book is excellent. It marks the culmination of Rabbi Harold Kushner's quest to interpret the biblical Book of Job. Kushner concludes that the biblical book has two parts: the poetry of the middle section being a later insertion with a different focus than the first two chapters and the final chapter of the biblical story. Kushner's book is written in a style that is easy for the reader to follow, even when he is describing events that are complex for us all. I recommend it to every reader who is anguished by disastrous events that appear to happen to good people the world over.

2 people found this helpful

Helpful

Laurence J. Bloom

A beautiful exposition of a thorny subject

Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2013

Verified Purchase

Many will remember that this same author wrote When Bad Things Happen to Good People decades ago, and it has become a classic on the subject. He returns to look at the topic from a more scriptural standpoint, and again hits the nail on the head. With a certain amount of good humor and an enviable writing style, Rabbi Kushner visits the Book of Job and sets out the many issues connected with the text, and the thoughts and conclusions of the great minds throughout the ages on the subject. Readers will almost inevitably come to see bad times in a new light after reading this book.

8 people found this helpful

Helpful

R. Hanna

View of Job vary

Reviewed in the United States on December 12, 2012

Verified Purchase

As a protestant Christian, I found it interesting to read another viewpoint of the trials of Job. In our present economy it is especially thought-provoking..I have an agreement to discuss it with my own minister. It's defiinitly worth the time to read it.

3 people found this helpful

Helpful

Top reviews from other countries

Kindle Customer

Doubtful

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 9, 2017

Verified Purchase

I guess a Rabbi would have a particular interest in the book of Job with its assumed focus on suffering. I thought he would also have a respect for it as divinely inspired. While the first is evident in Kushner's book the second is not. In fact, although the book reaches an inspiring end it rests on a foundation of sand. The author is so focused on suffering that he seems to me to miss the point of the book of Job altogether.

claudia Davison

An intelligent look at the messages of the life of Job.

Reviewed in Canada on September 20, 2013

Verified Purchase

I first heard Harold S. Kushner during an interview on CCB radio. I was so impressed with his thoughfulness that I right away ordered his book. When it arrived, I immediately read it!. The book did not disappoint. He writes with the calm thoughfulness of one who has been up one side and down the other of this issue. In a world where people are so quick to dismiss God because of the mess we have made of our lives and of each other, Harold S. Kushner treats the subject with respect, humility and a lifetime of insight. I recommend it to you who are reading this review because it will straighten things out for you and give you peace. All pastors, teachers and students of the BIble need to digest this book!

One person found this helpful

See more reviews