Job

The Book of Job centres on Job.

Job was a native of the land of Uz (1:1), a region somewhere northeast of Palestine. He was very wealthy (1:3, 10). He was a respected judge and benefactor of his fellow citizens (29:7-25). He was a very righteous man (1:1, 5, 8). He was the father of seven sons and three daughters (1:2) at the outset of the book.

Job is mentioned three times outside his book (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; James 5:11). The book of Job is one of the three places satan is mentioned by name in the Old Testament (1 Chronicles 21:1 and Zechariah 3:1-2).

God allows calamity to befall this godly man as a result of satan's request.

Four friends are involved in debate with Job. The first three take turns in talking - Eliphaz from Teman, Bildad and Zophar. They all have three rounds each. Elihu (32-37) appears at the end.

Several stupid things are said by these people as they try to make sense out the the calamity that has befallen job.

Job lived very early in history, sometimes during the time of Genesis and probably before Abraham.

Several truths in the book support this fact

1. Job performed his own sacrifice without priesthood or shrine (1:5);
2. Job?s wealth is measured in flocks, herds and servants (1:3), this is consistent with the time of Abraham
3. His land was subject to invasion by roving tribes (1:15-17), another fact consistent with the Abraham?s period.
4. Job?s life span of 140 years (42:16); is in harmony with the long lives of the patriarchs of Genesis
5. There is no mention here of the Law, no reference to Abraham or to the covenants

This accounts for the several miss-guided and inaccurate comments about God in the book.

The knowledge of God has increased progressively since the days of Job.
The story of Job illustrates the triumph of man over suffering and calamity despite his limited knowledge of God.

In Job 42:7 - 14 God rebukes Job's friends' ignorance and condemns their lack of knowledge.

We should all be wary in criticising people - even when you think their suffering is for lack of faith or sin. Only God knows the full picture.

The book of Job contains many truths about God. Read this one for starters