Book introduction
The book of Job
Job is a long poem about suffering. A good man loses his children, wealth, and health. His friends insist he must have sinned. Job protests and demands an answer, and God finally speaks from the whirlwind.
Who wrote Job?
The author is unknown. The poem is set in the time of the patriarchs, but scholars date its writing anywhere from Solomon’s time to after the exile.
When was it written?
Setting perhaps 2000–1800 BC. Writing date uncertain.
Main themes
- Suffering is not always punishment
- The friends’ neat answer is wrong, and God says so.
- Honest lament is allowed
- Job’s raw complaints are spoken to God, and God answers him.
- God’s wisdom is beyond ours
- God does not explain the reason. He shows Job who he is.
Outline of Job
Key verses
He said, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked I will go back there. Yahweh has given, and Yahweh has taken; let Yahweh’s name be blessed.”
But I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand up on the dust.
Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell it to me, if you have insight.
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye has seen you.
Quoted from the Lumin Translation.
Where to start
Read chapters 1–2 for the story, then jump to God’s speech in chapter 38.
How well do you know Job?
Ten questions on the book of Job, from “In which land did Job live?” on. Each answer shows its verse.
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Questions about Job?
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