05/20/2026
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JOB
In all likelihood, Job lived during the Patriarchal period prior to Moses but after the Flood. He was a resident of Uz, which was probably located in northwestern Arabia. He lived his life in accordance with God's will, and was doing so when he was struck by multiple calamities and severe health problems. The main characters of the book include Job's three "friends," the shadowy Elihu, Satan, and God Himself.
JOB OUTLINE
1-2 Job's Disasters
3-31 Job's Dialogues with His Three Friends
32-37 Elihu's Speeches
38-41 God's Speeches
42 Job's Deliverance
AN INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF JOB (Central Theme) Many suggestions have been advanced to pinpoint the theme of Job, including: the reality of Satan in the world; the meaning of suffering; theodicy, i.e., God's justice in view of suffering; the nature of God; faith; and whether disinterested righteousness is possible. While each of these ideas are touched upon and worthy of consideration, the real point of the book is seen in its climactic presentation of God Himself. When God peppers Job with question after question regarding the inner workings of the Universe, we see its calculated effect in Job's reaction. Job reacts by bowing submissively before the spectacular omnipotence, omniscience, wisdom, eternality, and sovereignty of God (42:2-5). He now recognizes that to insist upon an explanation from God as to why the faithful suffer is to contend with God and to expect something we have no right to expect (38:2,18,21; 40:2,8,14; 41:11). In other words, the book impresses upon us the fact that the faithful child of God, when confronted by the magnificence of God and the reassurance that He has the ability to operate the Universe properly, can relax and endure the suffering of this life, knowing that God is near and dear. Indeed, at its deepest level, faith/trust in God requires no explanation for life's adversities. Defending the Faith Study Bible by Apologetics Press, Inc, copyright 2019