Intro to Job


Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 
Job 38:1-4 


­­­At first glance, Job may appear to be a very sad book where a man is caught up in a divine argument and loses everything for no reason at all but the reality is far from that. Job is a very difficult book to date, with dates ranging as late as 800 BC and as early as 1500 BC, potentially making this the oldest book in the Bible. Similarly, it is difficult to date when Job existed, however there is much reason to believe that he lived during the time of the patriarchs. With this background information, we can know return to the question at hand, what is Job all about?

From a narrative perspective, Job tells of the life of…Job. It is in the first two chapters that we learn the most information on who Job is, where he lived, and how life was during those times. As the curtains rise, we learn of Satan’s accusation that Job, “a blameless and upright man” (1:8), was only faithful to Him because of the blessings God had given to him. And so, God allows Satan to afflict Job twice, the first time to Job’s property, prosperity, and posterity, and a second time on his person. The majority of the book records the conversations/debates that Job has with his friends who are convinced that Job has committed an egregious sin based on his current circumstances. Elihu, a fourth friend, comes and speaks sense to all and reminds Job that he must humble himself before God. The book ends with God questioning to Job on if he can comprehend, care, or control His creation. Being reaffirmed on God’s sovereignty, Job is restored all that he lost, and to a greater degree.

With that summary in mind, you can see what the purpose of the book is. Firstly, that Satan is limited in the manner and ways in which he can afflict God’s creation. Satan can only do as much as is permitted to him by God. Which leads me to the second point that God may allow suffering and the purpose for it may be beyond our comprehension. This means that we must be so quick to judge every failure or evil in a person’s life as being the result of sin. We are simply to faith in God to work out His will in His world for His name’s sake. Which leads me to the final purpose of the book of Job which is that God is sovereign and we are not. No situation or event in our life should cause us to ever question or doubt His goodness or the perfection of His plan. Our job is not to comprehend and then approve of God’s plan. Our job is to obey and trust Him knowing that He is good and worthy of all praise.

Grace and Peace,
Alex Galvez

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