JOB
Author:
Unknown. See the note in the introduction to Judges concerning the authorship of the books of the Bible.
Date:
This book may have been written any time between the time of Moses and the time of Ezra, but many scholars think a date sometime close to the reign of King Solomon (970-930 BC) is most likely. The time when Job lived also cannot be stated with certainty. But most of the evidence available to us indicates a time shortly after the lifetime of Abraham. In any case, knowing who the author was and the dates could not help us to understand the spiritual lessons of this book, and this should be our main purpose in the study of it.
Themes:
Job deals with the very difficult problem of why God permits His own children who live righteous lives to suffer. What is the purpose of the troubles, pains, and disasters which come to them? Why do evil men often seem to escape these things? Is God’s justice not at work among the people of the world? These are the thoughts that form the basis of the discussion that took place between Job and his friends. See the notes at Job 3:1, 20; 4:7-9; 8:3; 18:5-21; 21:4-34; 34:10-12. We also see another significant element in this book: how Satan challenges God and attacks Job, and how God successfully repulses such a challenge and attack.
Contents:
Job’s character, family and possessions 1:1-5
The dialogue between God and Satan 1:6-12
Satan brings disasters on Job 1:13-19
Job’s wonderful behavior and words in the time
of disaster 1:20-22
Further dialogue between God and Satan 2:1-6
Satan’s attack on Job’s health 2:7-8
The words of Job’s wife and his wonderful reply 2:9-10
The visit of Job’s friends 2:11-13
Job curses the day of his birth 3:1-26
The first speech of Eliphaz 4:1—5:27
Job’s reply to Eliphaz 6:1—7:21
Bildad’s first speech 8:1-22
Job’s reply to Bildad 9:1—10:22
Zophar’s first speech 11:1-20
Job’s reply to Zophar 12:1—14:22
Eliphaz’s second speech 15:1-35
Job’s reply 16:1—17:16
Job expresses a wonderful thought 16:19-21
Bildad’s second speech 18:1-21
Job’s reply 19:1-29
Job’s amazing words 19:25-27
Zophar’s second speech 20:1-29
Job’s reply 21:1-34
Eliphaz’s third speech 22:1-30
Job’s reply 23:1—24:25
Bildad’s third speech 25:1-6
Job’s reply 26:1—31:40
Job’s determination 26:3-6
The way to wisdom 28:28
Job makes known his way of life 29:11-17; 31:1-40
Elihu’s speech 32:1—37:24
God speaks out of the storm 38:1—41:34
God asks a question 38:2
God reveals Himself as the great Creator
and Sustainer of the world 38:3—39:30
God asks Job another question 40:1-2
Job’s answer to God 40:3-5
God questions Job further 40:6-14
God speaks of two great beasts 40:15—41:34
Job’s reply to God indicating repentance 42:1-6
God speaks to Eliphaz 42:7-8
The obedience of Eliphaz and his friends 42:9
God blesses Job 42:10-15
Job’s long life 42:16