Who Wrote This Book:  The author of Job is unknown.

Date of Writing:  Unknown, possibly by Moses, 1500-1400 B.C.

Why It Was Written:  The book provides an idyllic picture of a semi-nomadic sheik named Job who is virtuous, prosperous, and immensely happy.  Soon thereafter however, a meeting of the celestial court takes place in which God (Yahweh) praises Job.  This incites a challenge from the satan (the Hebrew term for the adversary, an antecedent of Satan), who suggests that Job's piety is simply a product of his good fortune.  The satan instigates a wager with Yahweh that Job will curse God if he is made to suffer.  A chain of calamities befalls Job, and every component of his wealth and security is destroyed, culminating in the death of his children.  After Job successfully eschews blasphemous speech and behavior, another test is proposed by the satan, and Job is inflicted with a loathsome skin disease.  At the prologue's conclusion, the three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar arrive to comfort Job, sitting with him in silence for seven days.  Following the prologue is a diverse poetic section incorporating elements of lament, debate, soliloquy, and hymn.  Job lashes out against the injustice of his suffering and is answered by each of the three friends, who castigate him for challenging God and suggest that his misfortune must be a punishment for some hidden sin.  Job steadfastly rejects their arguments, insisting that he is innocent and pleading for a fair hearing from God.  The dialogues are followed by a poem on wisdom and the speeches of Elihu, a younger friend who also intervenes in defense of God.  In the final poetic section, called the theophany, God answers Job with a series of questions and declarations of omnipotence spoken from a whirlwind, after which Job repents.  In the epilogue, Yahweh rebukes Job's friends and restores Job's property and wealth.

The Literary Arrangement of the Book of Job

From the above sentence diagram we see how the outside (•) sections are parallel to each other. Each shows God’s real desire to bless mankind.  Life is not simple though.  Man is challenged in his thinking about the Creator's good intention by the suffering that takes place.  His problem is not the suffering among the wicked (which is right and proper) so much but by the suffering of the righteous.

Sections 2 and 4 (••) are the next set of parallel sections.  They show and explain how we can trust God with His infinite wisdom, love and power even during this time of suffering.  Man is able to see the problem from perspectives.  In chapters 1 and 2 we find that Satan has not tricked God as if he has semi divine powers.  The Lord instead carefully monitors every aspect to the evil that Satan can do.  At no time is man allowed to question God and His wisdom for any aspect of life including Job.  This same judgment is again stated in a much repeated way in the fourth section. God is wise and we should never think that He makes any foolish or unwise decision.

Section 3 (•••) clearly highlights how tragic is a partial understanding of the world.  We are shown that even the brightest of those around us cannot trust their limited judgments even when they are careful at seeking the 'truth of God.'  And of course this is the challenge set before each one of us.  Are we rightly seeking and understand God and His ways?  We are to trust God’s good intentions for our lives. Whenever we start from the premise that questions God’s ultimate goodness, we end up hurting others. God has displayed some of His greatest wisdom and love through the suffering of the wholly Righteous One (Jesus Christ) for the sake of the unrighteous.  If God does these things with Job and Jesus, then certainly He might choose to do it with us.  We know what He might do and that is why he would do it. But we, like Job, will be rather ignorant of God's whole great plan and purpose until everything is revealed to us.  In this we will simply need to trust Him.

 Key Verses: 

Job 1:21:  “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.   The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised

Job 6:9:   Even that it would please God to destroy me; that he would let loose his hand, and cut me off!

Job 6:14:  To him that is afflicted pity should be shewed from his friend; but he forsaketh the fear of the Almighty.

Job 7:21:  And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?  for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be.

Job 13:15:  Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him.

Job 19:21:  Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me.

Job 19:25:  For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.