Is the classical expression in the Old Testament of the question of injustice done to a righteous man. It is an ancient folktale, re-crafted in light of Jewish religion in general and the experience of the Exile (587-525 B.C.) in particular. It is in the form of a dialogue between Job, three friends, and the Lord.
Key Questions: why do the righteous suffer if God is just and powerful? What we can know of God’s justice and plan? What is our place in creation?
Proverbs Theology Background: In a just world, the innocent and godly should prosper while the wicked suffer. Psalm 37 reflects this Proverbs theology when it says “the meek shall inherit the land … but the Lord laughs at the wicked for he sees their day is coming.”
Old Testament Theme of Challenging God: Many lament Psalms complain directly to God: “Why do you hide your face? Why do you forget our affliction and oppression?” (Ps. 44:24).
Jeremiah astonishes us with, “Truly you are to me like a deceitful brook, like waters that fail” (15:18). This authentic OT theme of questioning and challenging God, foreign to most Christian piety, is taken up and given full expression in the non-patient Job.
In the OT, Satan is an “accuser” or “adversary,” not the arch-rival of God as later doctrine understood.
In Num. 22, for example, it is a role undertaken by an angel. In I Chronicles, Satan causes David to count his soldiers. 2 Sam. 24, it is the Lord who causes David to count. One story is pre-exile to Babylon, the other post.
Zoroastrianism, influenced by Iranian dualism, spoke of Ahura Mazda and Angra Mainyu, the good god and the evil god. After the Jews came back from Babylon (Iraq), they recast the story of David counting his soldiers.
Christianity, probably influenced by the angelology of Jewish sects such as the Pharisees and the Essenes, further enhanced and developed theories and beliefs in angels and demons.
Questions 13-19
13. In your own words, explain why it is surprising that Job is in the Bible.
14. How did how people understand Satan change over the centuries?
15. What does Job lose in "Job's First Test"? on p. 614?
16. Trick Question: Explain how Job's wife is helpful to him on p. 615.
17. In "Direct Line", the issue is taken up of what you would do if a friend's mother dies (p. 617). How is this a Job-like question?
18. Deep Question: What does Job decide to do in chapter 7 (p. 621)?
A Dialogue With a Remarkable
Cast of Characters!
God and the “Satan” are having an academic dispute in heaven. In the heavenly council. Satan suggests that Job is pious only because only good things have happened to him. God gives Satan permission to test this claim.
Job’s Place: Job reflects many themes discussed in other traditions of the middle East; Job continues the Wisdom literature tradition of being international. Later, the book was sometimes taken to recommend patience (James 5:11—does it get it wrong?). Rabbinic tradition was more critical of Job and portrayed him as a rebel. Tennyson called it “the greatest poem of ancient and modern times.” The writer has been called the “Shakespeare of the Old Testament.”
Contents
Chs. 1-2: Prologue that establishes the setting.
Chs. 3-31: dispute between Job and his three “friends” Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Job complains to God.
Chs. 32-37: Elihu’s speech (possibly added later): he criticizes Job and outlines the nature of divine justice.
Chs. 38-41: God’s rebuttal: Job what are you credentials in these matters?
Ch. 42: The repentence of Job and the restoration of all he had.
Questions 19-22
19. Challenge: Is Job bashful about how he expresses his complaints in chapter 10 (p. 624)? Should a person speak like this to God?
20. How does God respond to Job's questions in chapter 38 (p. 653). What does it mean "Who is this that darkens my counsel"?
21. Challenge: What is God's rebuttal to Job in chapter 38--put it your words.
22. What happens to Job in the Epilogue (p. 659)? Explain the picture at right.
You're All Done!
