God in Wisdom Literature (Job, Proverbs, Ecclesiates)

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Wisdom literature, which knows no national boundary, deals with the meaning of life, a successful way of living it, good educated way of life through existential experiences. Consequently, the biblical wisdom literature offers a way a decent way of living and interacting with God. We are aware that there is no comprehensive formula that can embrace all the biblical data about God. Biblical theology only tries to give hints, clues and suggestions. In any case, many has argued whether Wisdom literature is the right place for theological exploration.
Job: The character of God in Job is difficult to depict because most arguments are misleading and are not normative. The first impression on gets while reading the book of Job is that of a God who is a little bit cynical. Though he acknowledges Job's righteousness, he enters into a bet with Satan and gives in to the desire of Satan. A desire that means severe suffering for his servant Job who appears to be the victim (1-3). Throughout the period of Job's suffering God appeared indifferent, until finally he answers and blesses Job towards the ending of the book. The image of God could be seen while contemplating the themes of the book: sufferings of the just man and the benevolence and justice of God. The book proclaims that God alone is wise, a transcendental wisdom that can be contemplated in the works of his hand: the creation (Jb 28; 38-39).
For Job's three friends, Eliphaz, Baldad and Sophar, who came to comfort him during his trial period, God is a severe judge who punishes evil. So for them the sufferings of Job is a sign that God is against him (4-31). Elihu, an observer, with his well elaborated discourses, shows that that God is omnipotent and just against the arguments of Job. He stresses the fact that sufferings serve as a purifying means from vice and they strengthen us in virtue ...