Job

Background
The English title of "Job" is derived from the Latin word "Iob". The Hebrew word is "‘iyyov" which means “Where is (my) father.” It is now well attested as a West Semitic name in the 2nd millennium from the Amarna Letters, Egyptian Execration Texts, Mari, Alalakh, and Ugaritic documents.

The theme or purpose of the book can best be described as the study of affliction or suffering. Throughout the book Job defends his own essential innocence and not sinlessness.

Job the Man
Job is the main character in the book. It is difficult to prove that Job was not a historical character as he is mentioned in many parts of scripture with other historical characters. (Ezekiel 14; James 5) It is generally agreed that Job lived prior to the time of the patriarchs, perhaps between the building of the Tower of Babel and the call of Abraham. There is no mention in the book of the children of Israel and the law. The Flood is mentioned but there is no mention of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah. Also the religion of Job was that of the family religion of the patriarchs, rather than the structured priesthood of the time of Moses. These points seem to suggest that Job lived before Abraham.

At the time of his trial, Job was married with grown children, living in homes of their own. As Job lived 140 years after this trial, (Job 42:16) he could be as old as 200 years when he died.

Job was a man of great wealth, owning large herds of cattle, servants and his own home. (Job 1:3) Many during this time were nomads but Job was of such wealth that he could afford a home and not just a tent. The Bible states that Job was the greatest of all the men of the east.

Job was a righteous and upright man, who was pleasing to God. (Job 1:1) His faithfulness to the true God is seen in his faithful offering of sacrifices for himself and his family, and this in spite of the fact that idolatry was all around him. In chapter one he is described as a perfect and upright man. The word "perfect" here does not mean that Job was without sin rather it means that Job was complete in his character and upright in his conduct. And in spite of his uprightness Job declares his need of a Redeemer in Job 19:25.

Job’s Test
It is determined by God that Job should be put to the test. The opening chapters are critical for a proper understanding of the book. These events were not known to Job and so lead to his perplexity and his friends heresy. Satan under the hand and control of God is allowed to test Job’s loyalty to God. In increasing measure Job looses his possessions, is inflicted with sores, is tempted by his wife to curse God and die, and even loses his very own children. Yet in all of this Job did not sin with his lips and curse God.( Job 2:10)

The remainder of the book consists of the greatest trial presented to him by his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. The book contains three sets of discourses or arguments where each friend tries to show that Job had sinned in some way as the explanation for his trials. They tried to say that Job was a hypocrite and sinned in secret, but Job insisted that he was innocent of their charges.

Eventually Job turned to his God and cried out for vindication. He continued to insist before God that he was innocent of all their charges. (Job 27-31)

There was one other figure here who listens in the background to all that is said and then he speaks. His name is Elihu and although he is a young man he is a man of wisdom. He points out that the friends have falsely accused Job of hypocrisy and Job was wrong in charging God with injustice. He calls upon everyone to witness the greatness of God in creation and revelation. Elihu supports Job’s innocence, but reminds them that God speaks in different ways. Elihu turns their attention to God’s good pleasure and sovereign purposes in suffering. Elihu reminds Job that God has a purpose in his sufferings and it is ultimately for man’s good. But while Elihu believes in the sovereignty of God, yet his words are harsh and miss the point.

Finally God must speak and silence all. God shows that His ways are not man’s ways. By appealing to creation and nature and demonstrating their complexity, God places a large space between creature and creator. Because man is a creature he cannot grasp the full mystery of God’s rule.

Finally Job is brought to the place where he confesses that Man cannot fully penetrate the mysteries of God’s providence. God does not seek to give an explanation for his actions except in describing himself. Job’s answer is God himself and with that Job has peace. Job has been humbled under the almighty hand of God and Job confesses God’s integrity in all his actions. Faith has been strengthened in Job’s experience. Job and his sufferings have an important place in God’s universe. God is truly sovereign even over evil, while at the same time not the author of evil.

Job is vindicated before God and cleared of any wrong doing. God is glorified and God prospers Job even into his old age.