The contents of the book, together with its artistic structure and elegant style, place it among the literary masterpieces of all time. The book of job is one of the most misunderstood books in the bible. Or perhaps this is an at least partially an afterward because i write this after i have completed half of the melding together of roger hahns online crivoice bible study and the excerpts from john c. Though we cannot be certain, job may have lived during the time of jacob or shortly thereafter. Job is a pious believer who is struck by misfortune so great that it cannot be explained in the usual way as a prompting to repentance, a warning, let alone a punishment the arguments later. Taken from nelsons new illustrated bibkle dictionary.
The name job is the english translation of the hebrew name iyov which means persecuted, hated on the surface job is a long, boring, somewhat confusing book and one might question how it ever came to be grouped with the wisdom books as it is hard to ascertain any wisdom in this tale of woe. He told them something that would have shocked them. Here are some of my reactions to using this book as a reference. David guzik commentary on job 4 describes the first speech of eliphaz, who.
Roger hahn jobs speech in chapter 3 is composed in poetry. The book of job is a book in the ketuvim writings section of the hebrew bible tanakh, and. This is, as with many passages in job a poetic book, a. The climax to the book of job appears in the symmetrical yahweh speeches 38. His friends speak in more or less three rounds, with each speech followed by a reply from job. Moral evil is thus under his control, and, in a certain sense, may be called his doing.
Job overview spurgeons verse expositions of the bible. But the basic lesson is that tough times dont last, tough people do. It has been widely praised for its literary qualities, with alfred lord tennyson calling it the greatest poem of ancient and modern times. But satan the accuser comes before the lord, and god allows him to test job. Job with book summary versebyverse bible commentary.
The book of job is a book in the ketuvim section of the hebrew bible, and the first poetic book in the old testament of the christian bible. Read job 32 commentary using matthew henry commentary on the whole bible complete. This is why this so very special book cannot be arranged in precise historical order. The book takes its name from the main character in the poem, the patriarch job. First cycle of speeches 414 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine the counsel of job s friends, what their observations were, and upon what they based their conclusions regarding job s suffering 2 to consider job s response to his friends, how he took their advice, and how he continued to. At the end of these speeches, god answers job and his friends and settles the matter. Job himself, moses, solomon, isaiah, ezekiel and baruch. Nov 12, 2017 the book of job is one of the most misunderstood books in the bible. Job 32 commentary matthew henry commentary on the whole. Like the other two comforters, bildad and eliphaz, zophar emphasizes an old hebrew conceptsuffering is the inevitable lot of the evil man. For those seeking a more introductory level commentary on the book of job, francis andersons commentary is the best place to start. The book begins with the description of job as a just and upright man.
God says to job, now i want you to pray for your friends these three dear men, so stubborn, so sure that they had all the answers, so well meaning, so sincere, so dedicated, but such utter blunderers. An appendix to the book of job in the septuagint identifies job with king jobab of edom gen. The book of job is often referred to as one of the great classics of world literature. Commentary on the book of job bible study notes and comments. A major difficulty in understanding the meaning of the book is, what insight leads job to submit so humbly to god at the end. Job pronounced jobe, was a rich farmer living in the land of uz, somewhere northeast of palestine. It is the philosophical riddle that concerns us in such an introduction as this.
The book of job is a highly controversial book of mostly confusing information. Just curious, did you notice the names of the sons of job before or after the suffering are not mentioned. The book of job is classified as a work of hebrew literature, but some scholars have pointed to evidence of arabic influences within the hebrew text. Job, who is sure in his innocence, does everything in order to serve god as good as possible.
It is usually considered a part of the poetic dialogues that compose almost the entire book of job. Job is perhaps one of the most interesting and perplexing books of the bible, and longmans commentary does much to shed light on some of the primary difficulties people often encounter when engaging with job. Even though job is described as, upright and blameless, satan accuses job of serving god only because job is prosperous. It is safe to say at the very least, that the bible is a fascinating book. The book of job explained essaysthe book of job is not simply a story, but a fable, rich with meaning and lessons to be learned. The book of job defends the character of a loving and righteous god in spite of earths obvious evils and injustices. Jul 24, 2015 why elihu is so mysterious july 24, 2015 by peter krol at a recent pastors conference on the book of job, a leader asked the attendees whether the speeches of elihu job 3237 should be trusted, like gods job 3841, or discarded, like those of jobs three friends job 45, 8, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25. Addressing the problem of theodicy the vindication of the justice of god in the light of humanitys suffering it is a rich theological work setting out a variety of.
David guzik commentary on job 33, where elihu continues his speech and challenges job s defense, insisting that god has indeed answered job. The book of job reveals the messiah as my redeemer. And there is a reality called satan who challenges god that his man is not as good as he thinks he is. Understanding the book of job student discount version. Its purpose is to illustrate gods sovereignty and faithfulness during a time of great suffering.
This overview and outline of job is intended to assist you as you seek god by studying his word. The book of job covers a multitude of themes reflecting the multitude of individual states of the walk of the believer as represented by the children of israel and their history. Some bible scholars debate whether he was an actual person or legend, but job is mentioned as a historical figure by the prophet ezekial ezekial 14. The purpose of the present study is to cultivate an interest in the study and use of the book of job by pastors, teachers, and laypersons in ministry. It has been widely praised for its literary qualities, with alfred lord. This begins a long section in the book of job where jobs friends counsel him and he. Thank you to rhonda byrne, the secret team and all the amazing people here who have shared their stories and are reading my story. Lo and behold, satan comes out and challenges god on job s goodness. Job lived southeast of israel, perhaps east of edom and north of arabia see lamentations 4.
The answer may lie in the fact that job held fast to the word of truth which in turn anchored him when the winds of adversity blew and the waves of pain rolled over his body and soul. His detailed analysis, starting from the epilogue, leads to the conclusion. Anderson is a renowned scholar, and the commentary reflects his learning without becoming overly technical. His speeches neither explain jobs suffering, nor defend divine justice, nor enter into the courtroom confrontation that job has demanded, nor respond to. Like anything in life, the reward for success reflects the amount of effort put. The central question of theodicy is to explain how an allknowing. Nothing in the book shows that job was ruler of edom. Guidelines for understanding and proclaiming the book of job. Its subject matter is the allimportant question, why, in a world over which yahweh has jurisdiction, should innocent persons have to suffer when at the same time the wicked escape suffering and are permitted to have comfort and security.
Guidelines for understanding and proclaiming the book of job 395 resource is available that summarizes specific guidelines for preaching and teaching the book. The book of job young elihu speaks 3237 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine elihus perspective in the debate regarding job s suffering 2 to notice how elihu appears to prepare job for what the lord will have to say summary we are now introduced to a new voice in this discussion. First cycle of speeches 414 objectives in studying this section 1 to examine the counsel of jobs friends, what their observations were, and upon what they based their conclusions regarding jobs suffering 2 to consider jobs response to his friends, how he took their advice, and how he continued to. Its incredibly complex and obscure hebrew allowing for multiple translations and meanings. He is an example of faithfulness as he loses everything important to him yet remains faithful to god. In a new translation of the book of job, the famously repentant hero gives. The book of job is a very tough book of the bible to understand using just the reasoning found within your human mind. It should be kept in mind that job is not the author.
The book of job, named after its protagonist apparently not an israelite. In job, we see a man who god allows to be directly attacked by satan. Jul 07, 2011 smith has spoken of his admiration for joseph conrads lord jim, in which the protagonist has to atone for collusion with evil. The book of job is among the other old testament books both a philosophical riddle and a historical riddle.
Misfortune befalls job, and, in three cycles of speeches, his three friends give the explanation that this must be punishment from god for his sins, and they urge him to repent. Last time, we saw job give a speech to his friends. Andersen job tyndale old testament commentaries, 1976. Up in the heavens, god brags to the divine assembly about job. The book of job tells how one man suddenly awakened to the anarchy rampant in the world, yet his attachment to god outlived the ruin of his tidy system. Throughout the book, job, his wife, and his friends speculate on why he, an upright man, suffers. The loss of job s property, and the death of his children. Identifying behemoth and leviathan in the book of job. It is a figure of speech, an analogy whereby the earth is compared to a building and god is compared to a builder, in order to help us appreciate the truth of his creation.
The newest release in the baker commentary on the old testament wisdom and psalms is tremper longman iiis commentary on the book of job. Job deals with the question of why do good men suffer. There was a man in the land of uz, whose name was job we have observed in the argument, that the firstborn son of nahor, abrahams brother, was called uz. Why elihu is so mysterious july 24, 2015 by peter krol at a recent pastors conference on the book of job, a leader asked the attendees whether the speeches of elihu job 3237 should be trusted, like gods job 3841, or discarded, like those of job s three friends job 45, 8, 11, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25. Separating what is true from what is truth tompkins, tom on. The second explanation of suffering mentioned above is clearly taught in the nt. Job is arguing that his friends need to be quiet while he seeks the council of god.
This reference in james is the only time job is mentioned by name in the n. The book of job is written in the form of a dramatic poem, that deals with several age old questions, among them the question of why the righteous suffer. A major difficulty in understanding the meaning of the book is, what insight leads. I attempt to clear that up by offering a different perspective than most people know today. During the course of time the following authors have been supposed.
Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Weve had the first two chapters declaring that job is righteous and that hes suffering as a result of satan. David is in pain, but it is no mystery whyand clearly the best response in. The book of job has been widely given the theme of patience and we see this mentioned in the new testament book of james.
A fourth companion enters the story, elihu, and it is elihus speech that creates. A number of email responses concerning the book of job. Instead, i sampled his work focusing on one chapter of the book of job, chapter 38, on which i was doing a special study. Suffering is a means which god uses to perfect us to change us, suffering allows him to manifest himself in our lives in greater degrees, suffering softens our heart, humbles us and pushes us to cry out to him, to ask him for help for him to. Jun 09, 2014 the book of job is one of the most misunderstood books in the bible. The remainder of the book is the dialogue of job and his friends attempting to determine why this is happening.
Lets turn in our bibles to job chapter for our job commentary. The book of job does not mention any indications of data and only very few indications of places. This book tells a story of job who is loyal and obedient to god but has to go through much suffering. Addressing the problem of theodicy the vindication of the justice of god in the light of humanitys suffering it is a rich theological work setting out a variety of perspectives. The main question in gods second speech is whether job can not merely be angry at his suffering but actually bring it to an end job. Lets take a look at job 22 for this job 22 commentary. The most important of job s three friends was eliphaz of theman. Job is a book that ranks as one of the most difficult books in thetanach bible, for two reasons. Given how christians are yet inclined to look for a divine reason behind catastrophes and personal tragedies. God allows satan to take away job s possessions, children and health.
Although job was unaware of the interaction between satan and god, job comes to the conclusion that god is just and good. Hebrew poetry is very different to the western poetry. Top 5 commentaries on the book of job ligonier ministries. Five truths for sufferers from the book of job the gospel coalition. Only the names of the daughters after restoration are mentioned, kezia, jemimah and kerenhappuch.
Feb 25, 2006 the secret speech that changed world history. Every version of the bible that you have read puts job, in the wake of gods speech, in an. Introduction to the book of job society of gilbert keith. Book of job overview insight for living ministries. The book of job is the first document in history to take. The big picture of job is that there was a man who was, in one sense, blameless in gods sight. The 22 nd chapter of the old testament book of job. It is true elihu is not mentioned elsewhere in the book. This begins a long section in the book of job where jobs friends counsel him and he answers them. Reading the speech cycles in the book of job by paul l. Whether this reference to job speaks of the same person found in the book of job is not known.
How does the book of job help disciples of jesus christ remain faithful to god. I had quit my job and started looking for another job. Watch our overview video on the book of job, which breaks down the literary design of the book and its flow of thought. Walther eichrodt writes, in the speeches of god in the book of job, this god of. A few bible scholars believe that character of job of the book of job was an actual historical person described in the prologue and epilogue and who spoke all the words attributed to him in the dialogues. I found job to be one of the most interesting accounts in the bible, especially because it attempts to rationalize human suffering and the ways of the lord.
While job says that wisdom is to be had from god who was there before time, eliphaz accuses job of disregarding the wisdom of older men 15. How could job persevere and hold fast in the face of such extreme suffering and pain. If you have not read this series from the beginning, i would highly recommend that you go back and start with part 1. The book of job is one of the most problematic portions of the bible and has called forth a variety of interpretations. The commentary includes the hebrew text plus an english translation of the entire book of job. Job baker commentary on the old testament wisdom and. Job had 10 children who appear to be adults at the time his suffering began. Interestingly, the daughters received an equal share of their fathers inheritance. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of bible. The point of the book of job is to teach us that the mystery of evil is a mystery of a wartorn and unfathomably complex creation, not the mystery of gods allcontrolling will.
The secret speech that changed world history world news. The complex and delicate nature of the subject matter. The friends have been telling job that hes being punished by god because hes committing secret sin. This part of the bible touches fundamental question of guilt, punishment, justice, good and evil. He allows some to deceive, and others to be deceived. The poetic discourseswhich probe the meaning of jobs sufferings and the manner in which he should respondconsist of three cycles of speeches that contain. Job accuses god of being unjust and not operating the world according to principles of justice, and his friends believe that jobs sin caused his suffering. Job touches with somewhat too bold a hand the deepest problems of the universe. In my own unique style i teach the book of job chapter by chapter, verse by verse and explain everything i have learned about it. The name job is mentioned only 54 times and mostly just in the book of job.
Oct 14, 2010 understanding the book of job student discount version. Interpretations of elihu in job biblical hermeneutics. Hes blameless and upright, and he has kids, a wife, land, and a bunch of sheep. An initial theme found early in the book of job is the concept of fair weather friends lacking true loyalty and a thinly veiled jealousy over jobs wealth.
Study the bible online using commentary on job 32 and more. The last of the book is a beautiful picture of what james calls the tender mercies of god toward job james 5. Undoubtedly, however, the minority who were righteous in israel may well have taken solace and found comfort in the teachings of the book of job andrew e. Job accuses god of being unjust and not operating the world according to principles of justice, and his friends believe that job s sin caused his suffering. Redditt georgetown college the field of old testament study today is marked by disagreement over method, in particular readeror audiencebased methods and historicalcritical methods including source, form, and redaction criticism. Some scholars, however, consider jobs speech in chapter 3 as simply an introductory comment with the dialogues proper beginning with job 4. In the book of job, it becomes clear that the first three of job s friends eliphaz, blidad, and zophar speak wrongly. Not only do they incur the indignation of job and his other friend elihu, but god himself rebukes them, saying to eliphaz, i am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant job has.
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