Dear Reader,
For over thirty years I have suffered with environmental and food allergies, which kept me from leading a normal life and halted my desired career path. Over twenty-five years ago, I spent one more night vomiting until I had no strength. I asked God, “Why?” As clear as an audible voice, I heard Him say, “Read Job.” I spent the rest of that night reading this book of the Bible and was comforted. Perhaps I will never know why I have suffered, but I have come to accept it as God’s will and have prayed the verses in James 1:2–7:
My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
Ever since that night, I have turned to the Book of Job for comfort, particularly when under the critical eyes of others. Because of my love for this portion of Scripture, I decided to write a story based on it then posted it on my blog. I never intended for it to be published in print, but as I received emails and comments from readers, I began to wonder if perhaps God would use it in that format. After contemplating several ideas on how to use this story to meet my readers’ needs, a friend suggested making it a Bible study. She knew of women’s groups who met to read a portion of a book and discuss it. Why not take this story and make it into a Bible study for these groups?
I desire to point you to Scripture for the answers to the questions the story raises. If I truly believe that my fiction is to present biblical truths, then I need to direct my readers to where those biblical truths can be found.
Joab’s Fire was written with my Bible open beside me. You’ll find many similarities between Job’s journey through suffering and Joab’s journey.
I pray that God will use this story and study both to comfort and to exhort you, no matter what your relationship with God is at the time of reading. But above all else, let His name be glorified, for that is why we exist.
IF YOU ARE A BIBLE STUDY LEADER, I hope that you and your group read the book of Job while you read this novel.
The core question to this study is: “Why do bad things happen to good people?” The following list presents central questions for your group to discuss at the beginning and at the end of the story. And, if the need arises, through the middle.
When you suffer, how do you react? What are your thoughts toward God and toward those around you? What questions do you ask?
How do people, both Christian and non-Christian, view your reaction?
When you see others suffer, what is your response? What thoughts run through your mind as to why they might be suffering?
How do you treat people who are grieving or hurt? What words do you use, and what actions do you take, when you see them suffer?
How do other people, both Christian and non-Christian, view your reactions to other people’s adversities?
Can our response to hardships hinder another person’s approach to the throne of God? To salvation?
What does sin have to do with suffering?
How does our relationship with God affect our perspective on hardships?
I love to hear from my readers. If you wish to share your story, or how this book has touched you, please feel free to email me at ldsquire@yahoo.com.