Get Ready
Integrity is often defined as “how a person acts when no one is looking.” Job is a person of integrity in the midst of extreme hardship and suffering when both God and Satan are looking – and waiting to see if Job will renounce his faith and “curse God.”
Author
Most scholars agree that Job is one of the finest works of literature in the entire Bible; but there is no consensus on who wrote it or when. There are no clues in the work itself about possible authors. The Hebrew in Job is very old, leading some to belief it is the earliest written work in the Bible. Others suggest it was written around the time of King Solomon (950 BCE), based on the other “wisdom” writings of the time (primarily Proverbs). It must have been written sometime before 600 BCE., since the prophet Ezekiel mentions Job [14:14].
Context
The first verse places Job “in the land of Uz,” and describes him as “the greatest of all the people of the east,” [1:3]. There is some agreement that the setting is east of Palestine in Edom.
There is no information in the book about when the events take place. Most authorities believe it is based on a historical incident, but that it has been altered over time by repeated telling and re-telling. Job was probably a family leader similar to Abraham and the story may be from the same era (2000-1800 BCE). This possibility is based on the similarity of Job’s situation with that of Abraham: wealth is based on livestock, not land, crops or other possessions, and Job is the head of his extended family, including children, spouses and their children. In addition, Job’s God is personal – not the Yahweh of Moses and the Law.
Structure
Even though it may be based on a historical event, Job is a work of poetic fiction. The major components of the book include:
- A prologue that introduces Job and his setting and the primary questions regarding Job’s faith [chapters 1-2].
- An extended discussion of suffering between Job and three of his friends: Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar [chapters 3-31].
- Elihu’s rebuke of Job and his friends and defense of God’s justice [chapters 32-37].
- God’s response to Job [chapters 38-41].
- Job’s confession and restoration [chapter 42].
Except for the narrative prologue and epilogue the book is a series of extended poetic speeches – first between Job and his three friends, then by Elihu, and finally by God. These are not conversations as we know them, but fairly lengthy speeches.
Major Themes
Job is an exploration of the nature of faith – especially the nature of faith in the midst of suffering and doubt.
As the book opens Job is a prosperous and righteous man who worships God. But at a gathering in Heaven, Satan suggests that Job’s faith is the result of all the blessings God has given him, and says Job will curse God if his possessions are removed. God accepts this challenge and allows Satan to take away all his possessions, including his children. Job responds that he had nothing when he was born and will have nothing when he dies, “blessed be the name of the Lord,” [1:21]. So Satan tells God that Job will curse God if his life is threatened. God agrees to this challenge as long as Satan spares Job’s life. Job suffers greatly but tells his wife “shall we receive the good at the hand of God, and not receive the bad?” [2:10].
At this point Job’s friends show up, but instead of comforting him they tell him his suffering is punishment for his sins. This is consistent with the general cultural view, as well as the Old Testament concept, that God (or the gods) inflicts suffering in response to a person’s sin. But Job responds to these arguments that he is a righteous person who has done nothing wrong – he does not deserve this misfortune.
After several rounds of this debate with no agreement or solution, Elihu speaks up. He rebukes Job and his friends for missing the “correct” answer: that God is greater than human logic and reasoning and that suffering is primarily for discipline and testing our character.
Finally God himself speaks to Job. He does not explain himself or justify Job’s suffering but asks him, “Where we you when I laid the foundation of the earth?” [38:4]. God created all things – including Job and the rest of us. We are subject to him. We are not his equals to question him; we are his creatures to worship him.
At this Job acknowledges his position and repents “in dust and ashes,” [42:6]. After God rebukes Job‘s friends he restores Job’s fortunes greater than he had before.
The conclusion is Job’s affirmation of God’s power and righteousness: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted,” [42:2.
Get into the Word:
1. What do we know about the author of this book? What about the time the book was written?
2. Where does Job’s story take place? When did these events happen? Whose situation is similar to Job’s? In what respects?
3. What kind of literature is the book? What are the major parts of the work? Why do you think the author chose this format for the book? Does it make it easier or more difficult to understand?
4. What are the major themes of the book? What does it teach us about God? About ourselves? About our relationship with God? About our situation in life?
Bible Trivia
Job is a character in the Jewish and Christian faith traditions, but he is also an important figure in Islam’s tradition.
5. What is Job’s status in the beginning of the book? How does this change? Who is responsible for these changes? How does Job respond to these changes in his life?
6. Who comes to visit Job? What do these people tell Job about his situation? How does Job respond to their arguments? How might you have responded?
7. Who finally ends the discussion? What does this person say? Why do you suppose he did not answer Job’s primary question? How does Job deal with this response?
Bible Trivia:
Satan — the Hebrew word means “accuser” so it is more like a title than a name; it is also used for a prosecutor or a person who brings charges in court as well as a political adversary [as in 2 Sam 19:22-23]. Satan became personalized in the Christian era.
Doctrine Note . . .
Peter provides one answer for Job’s question: For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God,
[1 Peter 3:17-18].
26: The Lord answers Job –
Job 38:1-34, 42:1-6
Get Ready
When you were growing up did your parent ever answer one of your questions with “that’s just the way it is,” or “because I said so”? How did you respond? Did you push for more information or did you let the matter drop? Have you ever answered your child in that manner?
The Word
38 Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Gird up your loins like a man, I will question you, and you shall declare to me.
4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements — surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the heavenly beings shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb? — 9 when I made the clouds its garment, and thick darkness its swaddling band, 10 and prescribed bounds for it, and set bars and doors, 11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther, and here shall your proud waves be stopped’?
12 “Have you commanded the morning since your days began, and caused the dawn to know its place, 13 so that it might take hold of the skirts of the earth, and the wicked be shaken out of it? 14 It is changed like clay under the seal, and it is dyed like a garment. 15 Light is withheld from the wicked, and their uplifted arm is broken.
16 “Have you entered into the springs of the sea, or walked in the recesses of the deep? 17 Have the gates of death been revealed to you, or have you seen the gates of deep darkness? 18 Have you comprehended the expanse of the earth? Declare, if you know all this.
19 “Where is the way to the dwelling of light, and where is the place of darkness, 20 that you may take it to its territory and that you may discern the paths to its home? 21 Surely you know, for you were born then, and the number of your days is great!
22 “Have you entered the storehouses of the snow, or have you seen the storehouses of the hail, 23 which I have reserved for the time of trouble, for the day of battle and war? 24 What is the way to the place where the light is distributed, or where the east wind is scattered upon the earth?
25 “Who has cut a channel for the torrents of rain, and a way for the thunderbolt, 26 to bring rain on a land where no one lives, on the desert, which is empty of human life, 27 to satisfy the waste and desolate land, and to make the ground put forth grass?
Job Is Humbled and Satisfied
42 Then Job answered the Lord:
2 “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. 4‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you declare to me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” NRSV
Get into the Word:
1. Who enters the conversation now? How does he do so? How does he begin his comments? Why do you think he starts like he does?
2. What questions does God ask Job at first? Why do you suppose he chose to open in this manner? What do the questions imply about the difference between God and Job? How do you think Job is feeling about now?
3. What aspects of creation does God ask Job about? How does he describe his role in each one? How do these images “fit” with other ancient cultures [see Notes]?
4. What does God say about light and darkness? About death? About the earth? What does he say about Job’s age and knowledge?
5. What does God say about nature? Why do you think he brings up snow, hail, rain and thunder? What does this say about God’s power?
6. How does Job respond to God? What does he acknowledge about his previous speeches? How does he describe what God is talking about? How does he describe himself after God has finished speaking? How might you describe yourself if you were there?
Get Personal:
How do you feel about suffering? How does God help you deal with pain or misfortune? How does he help you trust when things are not going as you had hoped?
Notes . . .
38:1. Whirlwind — also translated “storm” – God has presented himself to others “out of a storm,” [check 2 Kings 2:11 and Ezek 1:4].
38:2. Darkens counsel by words without knowledge — today we would probably say “who is confusing things and doesn’t know what they’re talking about?”
38:4. Foundation of the earth — many ancient cultures viewed the universe as a temple; as a result they took very special care when building a temple to their deity to make sure the deity “approved” the location and orientation of the building. [Check the detailed instructions for the tabernacle in Exodus 26.]
38:7. Morning stars — Actually Mars and Venus. Israelites considered them representatives of heavenly beings (Peter and John refer to Christ as the “Morning Star,” [2 Peter 1:19, Rev 22:16]).
38:17. Gates of death — Israelites believed (as did many other ancient cultures) that the “place of the dead” (Hebrew: Sheol) had gates.
38:21. Surely you know — God is mocking Job for his claim that God should answer him, which implies some level of equality.
38:22. Storehouses — many cultures, including Israel, believed snow, rain and hail were kept in some cosmic warehouse until God (or gods) needed them.
42:2. I know — Job acknowledges God’s power and authority; he repeats and agrees with two of God’s charges against him; and he repents.
Note: Following Job’s repentance God rebukes the three “friends” for not speaking “what is right” about him. God then restores Job’s family and fortunes with double what he had before.
Memory Verse
For I know that my redeemer lives, and that at the last he will stand upon the earth,
[19:25].
Next Lesson
Psalms 1, 2, 3.
