God's Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise

Well written! I would recommend over and over.

God's Servant Job, by Douglas Bond is a wonderfully illustrated children's book with a beautifully written poem covering the book of Job. This can be a difficult book in the Bible to read, and while the author did a great job of rendering the meaning of the book into poem format, it was a bit difficult for my daughter (age eight) to understand. With words like slavering, lest and arbitrate, I often had to stop and define the words for my daughter. Also, the words spoken by God and Satan were only differentiated by the use of bold face type. Again, I had to stop the story to explain to my daughter who was now speaking.What I liked? The illustrations were beautiful. I also liked that the book included some of the more difficult words to understand (though none that I listed above). It also includes study questions for both comprehension and for discussion/further thought. The message of the Book of Job was conveyed and, once I was able to clear a few things up for my daughter, she readily understood it.What I didn’t like? The poem, though beautiful in its rhyme, was difficult to read aloud and for my daughter to understand.I gave this book only 3 stars because of how hard it was for my daughter to understand.I was given a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Douglas Bond's new children's picture book is beautiful. It illustrates the story of Job well, and is easy for kids to understand. When the story is finished, you do indeed feel like you've just read "a poem with a promise" (as the subtitle implies).The poem is well thought out, covering the story of Job as we know it -- but also describing it in depth and really bringing in relatable emotions for kids to connect with. I think it is best to read it aloud with your child, for at least the first time it is read -- due to some of the longer poetic phrases or bigger words. "God's Servant Job" can easily be used as a conversation starter with kids, as there are many things to discuss while you read.Handily included in the back of the book are a list of big words with definitions, questions about the story, and questions that can help your child relate Job's story to their own life."I know that my Redeemer lives!And with His life my sin forgives.O Jesus, Lord, I'll hope and pray,And patient be -- though come what may."(Douglas Bond, God's Servant Job)The only critical thing I can think of is that one thing that doesn't look "Biblical" is the illustration of Satan himself. He is characterized as a tall, blue dude dressed like an evil scientist -- and with a smoking pipe in hand, no less. All other illustrations appear to be true to the times, or what you would expect illustrated Bible stories to look like. I'm not sure what this is intended to signal to kids about the Devil, but it was unexpected (and seemed a little out of place). But! It doesn't detract from my high opinion of the book overall; I just felt it needed mentioning.We need more Biblical books like this -- and I hope Mr. Bond will consider writing more of these.

Job is an incredibly important (and very overlooked) book. I believe we owe it to our children to teach them the lessons of God's work in Job's life. The themes of the book are vital to a proper understanding of theology.God's Servant Job is a fabulous poem of our Redeemer Jesus and how we can be faithful in the hard times.Douglas Bond (one of my very favorite authors) has written a new book on Job for kids ages 4-9. God's Servant Job (P&R Publishing, 2015) is incredible. The illustrations by Todd Shaffer are amazing. I'm especially taken by the marvelous drawings depicting Satan as pipe-smoking mad scientist. The illustrations of the angels are vague, glowing, and from the back, with no representation of God in the illustrations. I know that many will appreciate that.Douglas Bond has written the book in rhyme, which is not easy to do, and has condensed 42 chapters of dense conversation, theology, and story to 32 pages. The last spread has vocabulary, a quiz, and Let's Think! discussion questions.Throughout the book, Douglas Bond emphasizes God's sovereign rule, Satan's role as accuser (subject to a sovereign God), and the purpose of suffering. It's an incredibly powerful message, incredibly well-written and well-illustrated, and incredibly important. God's Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise is a book that belongs in every home, church, and school library.I want to thank P&R Publishing for providing me with a copy of God's Servant Job: A Poem with a Promise in return for my honest opinion.

This is a children’s book on the book of Job in the Bible. The book is really a poem by Douglas Bond for kids on the story of Job and his suffering. I was surprised at how much the author was able to rhyme while also retaining the structure of the book of Job. I read this to my children who are all four years old and under and I think they were able to follow along though I think this book might be intended for elementary school age kids.The illustrations definitely reinforce the story and helped my children understand what was going on. Before I got the book I was curious as to how the book would illustrate the spiritual beings in the book of Job. Obviously God was not drawn and I love how angels were portrayed vaguely without much details compared to humans and were often part of a backdrop. Satan on the other hand is portrayed in the book looking somewhat like Dr. Strangelove in my opinion which left my kids asking me a lot of questions. The book does a good job of following the Bible’s account of Job and teaches the book’s purpose to trust in God even in the midst of suffering that we don’t fully comprehend why it’s happening. I recommend this book.NOTE: This book was provided to me free by P&R Publishing and Net Galley without any obligation for a positive review. All opinions offered above are mine unless otherwise stated or implied.