Job is alive and still being punished. Well, not really but the symbolism is easily seen. Today G-d still punishes the wicked (or maybe he does it just for kicks sometimes). He still manages to zero in on those who do not do his bidding and, eventually, they will get the idea that He is not pleased with them. Example: "Jane" led an exemplary childhood and teen-hood. She went off to college and started to learn about life. She attended church services each Sunday and she often prayed that G-d would bless her. Little did she know that she had been "thrown away" as a child. Her birth mother had abandoned her and her father eventually took her to raise with a step mother. "Jane" did not remember her early life. She only knew the mother and father that was the center of her life after age 6. She knew her mother did not like her for some reason but she was not aware of any reason. She spent her childhood trying to avoid the flatbacked glass men's hairbrush that was used as punishment for small infringements. She always tried her best because she feared her mother's wrath. Her father she adored and the adoration was mutual. In college "Jane" fell in love. In a moment of rashness she had sex with the man in question. Luckily it only happened once. She never became pregnant, either. Committment of this sin was the beginning of the end for "Jane". It wasn't long before the boyfriend found someone who was much easier to persuade into his bed. Her heart was broken but she hoped he would return to her. He didn't.  Instead, he left town and did not return for many months. "Jane" was left to wonder what she had done wrong with him and to fear retribution from G-d for what she had done.  Eventually, a young man who was personable and nice looking persuaded "Jane" that he was in love with her and they married. Even as she said "I do" in front of the Justice of the Peace, she knew she was making a mistake. It was one she would regret for the rest of her life. "Terry" turned out to be a self involved person with little regard for other people's feelings and no regard for paying bills. "Jane" found it difficult to juggle their income to pay the bills "Terry" continued to rack up. She was at her wits end on the Sunday before Christmas when G-d smote her mightily. Both of her parents were found murdered in their small house that morning by a business partner of her father's. Life as she knew it was over. No one could find "Terry" for several hours even though he supposedly was scheduled to work at his job all day. She had to face her ordeal alone. "Jane" tried to keep her faith alive through the ordeal but she found it wavering.  She wondered if her small transgression with her former boyfriend as reason enough for this terrible disaster in her life. Little did she know it was only the first thing G-d was going to throw at her.