The book of Job also reveals that Yahweh, as the Sovereign Lord, is free to act in ways that may seem surprising to humans. Even though his standard mode of operation is retribution, as taught in Proverbs, Yahweh is not bound by the retribution formula. He may allow a case like Job’s, in which a righteous person suffers adversity, for purposes that are known only to him. On the other hand, Yahweh is also free to act in grace, granting blessing to those who deserve nothing but divine judgment. The