- Genre: Poetry and Wisdom literature
- Persons: Job, God, Satan, Job's wife, Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar, Elihu
- Map
Constable,
Job, 2012
- Themes and Arguments:
- Bandstra, Barry L. “Job, Book of.” Ed. Mark Allan Powell. The HarperCollins Bible Dictionary (Revised and Updated) 2011 : 475. Print.
- (1) human suffering does not necessarily happen with cause or reason, even though it is natural for people to look for such a cause or reason;
- (2) the role of deity in relation to suffering is not necessarily discernible, even though people presume deity must play a role; and
- (3) extreme suffering leads people to question the integrity of the victim or the deity, but such judgments are questionable at best and likely to distort or oversimplify the realities of life.
- Hunt, Harry. “Job, Book Of.” Ed. Chad Brand et al. Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary 2003 : 924–925. Print.
- (1) One suggestion … why the righteous suffer. … ancient society believed that human suffering was the result of one’s sin or at least a god’s displeasure. Even the meaning of the name Job (the persecuted one) seems to support this suggestion…
- (2) Another … suggestion is that the book has been preserved to illustrate for us the nature of true faith both from the point of view of people and of God. For humans, it is trusting in God as the Creator and Sustainer of life even when all is not going well and when He is not visibly present to help us.
- (3) Another, and much less frequently suggested purpose, is that of a parable concerning the nation of Israel. In this case, Job becomes the nation Israel.
- Smith, William. Smith’s Bible Dictionary 1986 : Print.
- (1) One question could be raised by envy: may not the goodness which secures such direct and tangible rewards be a refined form of selfishness? Satan, the accusing angel, suggests the doubt, “Doth Job fear God for nought?” and asserts boldly that if those external blessings were withdrawn, Job would cast off his allegiance—“he will curse thee to thy face.” … can goodness exist irrespective of reward?
- (2) Job’s friends hold the theory that there is an exact and invariable correlation between sin and suffering. The fact of suffering proves the commission of some special sin. They apply this to Job, but he disavows all special guilt.
- (3) The leading principle of Elihu’s statement is that calamity, in the shape of trial, is inflicted on comparatively the best of men; but that God allows a favorable turn to take place as soon as its object has been realized.
- My opinion
- Three observations on two key characters (God, Satan)
- Satan does not originally bring up Job, God does
- Satan does not reflect on Job's calamities, God does
- Satan does not summarize or talk at the end, God does
- Two observations on Job
- Job was the richest man on the earth
- Job was one of the wisest men on the earth
- Two discussion topics of God to Job at the end
- Job's riches (power) and wisdom (knowledge) as compared to God, is the main point of God's response to Job at the end of the book
- Two responses of Job to God at the end
- Job ("who did not sin in his words") repents twice at the end of the book
- CONCLUSION: It is not easy to understand what or why God allows or initiates actions, but God is not without purpose
- Timeline
- Ranges from Abraham to sixth century BC
- Job lived to either 140 or 210 (42:16). Terah lived 205, Abraham (175), Isaac (180) and Jacob (147).
- Job's wife has ten children (fully grown) and then later starts another 13 (so this would be the time of Abraham or even early Genesis
1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God, and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she-asses, and very many servants; so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each on his day; and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all; for Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
- Observations about Job
- Spiritually: He feared God
- Meaning he obeyed God's laws as he understood them
- He did the right thing (integrity)
- He did not obtain his wealth through shady means
- Relationally: He had a wife and ten children
- His grown children often had feasts
- Job felt compelled to offer burn offerings for them (in case they sinned)
- NOTE: this is the first evidence of something not correct
- Why do his children not offer sacrifices for their sin
- His children, possibly, did not necessarily share all of his values
Financially: He was very wealthy- He had 4 classes of animals: sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys
- He had many servants (employees working for him)
- Intellectually (Wisdom): Job recognized the danger of
sin and took actions to prevent its effects
- Job 4:3–4 (RSV)
and you have strengthened the weak hands.
4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
and you have made firm the feeble knees.
- Application:
- We don't know that Job trusted in his wealth (power) or in his wisdom at this point. We will have to wait until the end to find out what God spends his time discussing with Job
- Does God focus on evil and the random nature of suffering?
- Does God focus on the problem of Satan in the world?
- Does God talk about something else, seemingly without connection?
- Does God talk to his friends or does God talk to Job?
- Why does God talk to Job?
- Possibly Job had two issues in his life. He trusted in his wealth and power. And He trusted in his knowledge and wisdom
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “Whence have you come?” Satan answered the Lord, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nought? 10 Hast thou not put a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put forth thy hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will curse thee to thy face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only upon himself do not put forth your hand.” So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord.
- Observations:
- Satan is either one of the sons of God, or more likely not, since he is added to the list
- Are there celestial staff meetings? There are regular gatherings. 1 Peter suggests the same
- Angels have work
- One purpose of the work (at least for Satan) seems to be "to consider the occupants"
- Who initiates the discussion with Satan?
- God
- Remember that when God asks a question, it is not to get an answer. In this case, why does God ask Satan where he came from? Probably, because God has a purpose for the conversation
- What is Satan's initial answer? He is roaming the planet
- Who initiates the discussion about Job?
- God
- What is Satan's response, and how does it fit in this idea of a celestial staff meeting?
- Satan does know the individual (suggests a very good memory)
- Satan has also made conclusions. Job does the right thing because God has protected his life from pain
- This is a key misperception and it also comes from Satan: Good deeds results in God's blessing (and Satan also argues it as a self-licking ice cream cone)
- Also note the attitude of Satan toward Job's behavior -- cynicism
- Satan argues that suffering will cause Job to turn from God. Is that true?
- Yes. There are many examples of people who use a severe loss as evidence that God does not exist. Or if he exists, then they would not want to worship a God who works in that way
- No. It does not cause all people to dump their faith. More often it at least initially forces people to God
- What is implied about God's sovereignty?
- His approval is required for actions from his agents
- He had protected Job in some way (a fence around him). Not clear what the fence protected him from (only the sons of God). The physical and natural calamities are directed by outside forces
- Finally, Satan actions are controlled by God
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; 14 and there came a messenger to Job, and said, “The oxen were plowing and the asses feeding beside them; 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “The Chaldeans formed three companies, and made a raid upon the camels and took them, and slew the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another, and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house; 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
20 Then Job arose, and rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell upon the ground, and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return; the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
- First test: observations on the disasters:
- Evil persons (or greedy) Sabeans attack oxen, donkeys, and servants
- "Extremely unusual" phenomena, Fire "of God from Heaven" fell and burned sheep and servants
- Evil persons, Chaldeans, attack camels and servants
- Natural phenomena, great wind, kills sons and daughters
- Job's response
- Classic stoic response -- Naked I came, naked I shall return, blessed be the Lord
- KEY: This is not the full story of Job's response and maybe more an initial shock response
- Tearing of robe is typical manner to express grief
- He does not charge God with wrongdoing (not yet at least)
APPLICATION:
- God was not unware of any of Job's life or his sufferings
- The scripture subtly hints at aspects of Job's life which may be important: very wealthy and very wise
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