Job Introduction

Synopsis:
Considered both a theological and a literary masterpiece, the book of Job is an honest portrayal of God allowing a good man to suffer. The test of Job's faith, allowed by God in response to a challenge from Satan, revealed God's loving sovereignty and the supremacy of divine wisdom over human wisdom (personified by Job's friends). Believing that God is good despite the apparent evidence to the contrary, Job rested in faith alone. In the depths of agony he could still proclaim, "I know that my Redeemer lives" (19:25). In the end God silenced all discussion with the truth that he alone is wise (chs. 38-41). Yet he vindicated Job's trust in him (ch. 42), proving that genuine faith cannot be destroyed. The unknown author was probably an Israelite writing sometime between 1500 and 500 b.c.

Authorship Date: Unknown
Many will cast the events during the Patriarchal period (~20th-18th BC) and refer to the book as the oldest in all of the Bible.  The simple matter is that there are no chronological markers in the book nor external references to solidify the date of book's composition.  Ezekiel does mention Job 2 times; so at the very latest the book could be dated is 570 BC.  The simple matter is that dating the book does not affect anything theological; so arguing over the date is pointless to spiritual growth.

OT/NT References:
  • Ezekiel 14:14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God.
  • Ezekiel 14:20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness.
  • James 5:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Simple Outline:
1. Dilemma (Job 1-2) 
A. God & Satan (Ch 1-2) 

2. Debates (Job 3-37) 
A. 1st Cycle (Ch 3-14) 
B. 2nd Cycle (Ch 15-21) 
C. 3rd Cycle (Ch 22-26) 
D. Job's Defense (Ch 27-31) 
E. Elihu's Solution (Ch 32-37)

3. Deliverance (Job 38-42) 
A. God & Job (Ch 38-42) 

Satan's Theology:
  • IF Job is blessed by God, THEN he will be faithful. 
  • IF Job is not blessed by God, THEN he will be unfaithful. 
  • (Satan accused God of bribing His followers.) 
Friend's Theology:
  • IF Job is faithful, THEN he will be blessed 
  • IF Job is unfaithful, THEN he will be punished
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