The Zona by Nathan Yocum

on his steak with hands and teeth and then paused.  “You ever hear the story of Job?”
    Pious took a bite of his steak and shook his head.
    “It’s a book of the Old Testament.”  Terence said.  “Job was a man who lived a long time ago, before the technology and knowing were created and lost.  Job was a righteous man, a wealthy farmer who loved God true in his heart. God knew Job was his best man and was proud to have a servant so clean.  One day God was talking with Satan.”
    Pious’ face flushed crimson at the mention of the Devil.  Terence continued.
    “God and Satan were talking about what makes a man holy or unholy.  Satan told God that it was suffering that made men unholy and comfortable men, men who lived life without worry, could afford to live a life free of sin.  As an example, Satan spoke of Job.  He offered a bet with God.  He wagered that if he were to take away Job’s comfort, Job would curse God’s name and turn against him.  Job would embrace sin and forsake God like the other sinners of low means and birth.  God took the bet.”
    The words made Pious nervous.  The parish pastors never spoke of God and Satan consorting directly.
    “So Satan waved his claw and destroyed Job’s life.  His evil infected and slew Job’s children and cattle.  His crops withered and turned to ashes.  Coins and jewels vanished from his coffers. His soft robes unwound into brittle thread.  His house collapsed into a pile of rotten timber and insects.  His hair fell out and his body was plagued with hissing boils.
    Job clothed himself in burlap sacking which hurt his tender skin and sores.  He walked into his field and sat among the ashes and contemplated his undoing.  Friends from distant lands visited Job, but when they saw what had become of him, they were upset.
    ‘What sin hath thou committed, Job?  Why hath God smote thee?’  They asked.
    Job replied, ‘To my knowledge I have committed no sin.  If any of thee hath knowledge of my sin, please speak it.’
    The friends looked down on Job, hideous, dressed in burlap, wallowing in ashes.
    ‘We have not beheld thy sin, but what God hath done to thee is proof enough of the evil thou hath committed.  The righteous and innocent never need fear suffering and the wrath of God.  Thou art an awful man to be stricken so.’
    And with that they left Job to his misery.  Job pondered and prayed but his suffering and agony was ceaseless.  Finally Job raised his fist to the heavens.
    ‘Why have thou forsaken me Lord?  Why must I, one righteous and without sin, suffer loss?  Why must I live on in pain and be scorned and humiliated by my friends?’
    Job had finally sinned; he’d questioned God’s infinite grace, which angered God.  God came down to Job and stood before him.
    ‘Who are you to question me?’ He said.  ‘I created the universe and all life.  Everything you’ve see before, everything you’ve ever thought, everything that’s ever existed, everything that will be until the end of the days, tis all here because I say it is to be, for my own reasons.  Who are you to question what I do?  Who are you to question my infinite wisdom?  Your mind is not able to understand all that I do.  I know this because it was I who created your mind.’
    Job was awestruck.  Here he was, in the presence of his Creator, who was scolding him for complaining about suffering.  Job said the first thing which came to mind.
    ‘I’m sorry my Lord, I did not mean to offend.’
    God looked upon Job and smiled.
    ‘I forgive you.’ He said and swept his arm over Job and fields around him.
    Job’s skin healed as did his lands.  New cattle and crops sprung from the earth, and a new home fell from the sky.  Over time Job and his wife conceived new children; daughters whose beauty was legendary.”  Terence took a long drink from his mug. “Nobody knew what the wager was for, only that God lost.”
    Pious looked at the uneaten remainder of his