JOB INTRODUCTION

Structure Narrative Prologue & Epilogue –The Prologue sets up the story. –The Epilogue returns to a more normative wisdom understanding. Poetic Dialogue –Traditional wisdom themes. –Job presents themes which stretch OT faith. –The dialogue is the real story.

Structure Outline I. Prologue(1:1-2:13) II. Job’s “Birthday Curse”(3:1-26) III. Dialogue with “Friends”(4:1-31:40) IV. Elihu’s Discourse(32:1-37:24) V. Yahweh’s 1 st Speech(38:1-39:30) VI. Job’s 1 st Response(40:1-5) VII. Yahweh’s 2 nd Speech(40:6-41:34) VIII. Job’s 2 nd Response(42:1-6) IX. Epilogue(42:7-17)

Date of Writing The patriarchal period to Solomon’s era to the late monarchy. Truth—We cannot date the Book of Job with any certainty.

Composition Possibly composed as a process: –Narrative is an ancient story, tale, or legend. –The Dialogues were composed to deal with the problem of suffering. –The Elihu speeches may have been added as a further argument against Job’s harsh words against God. –Several poems may have been added.

Purposes of Job 1. Theodicy –The Problem of suffering in the world. –What kind of God do we serve? Is He a God of love? Or is He a harsh, vindictive God who stand on the sideline while His people suffer?

Purposes of Job 2. A Protest against the prevailing Theology –According to this theology, if you do good, one can expect: long life, children/posterity, wealth, & a good reputation/name. –Job questions this theological position.

Purposes of Job 3. Job is an Example –Job is an example of a man of faith. –Later Judaism & Christianity 4. Exploration of Faith –To show how a person can have faith under trial. –To show that God will come “in suffering.” –To show that God is the only true reality.