Job

If this is the same Job who is mentioned in Genesis (Gen 46:13) as a son of Issachar, it would put the life of Job in the time of the Patriarchs (around 1700 — 1500 BC).  It is obvious that the events of this book took place before Israel became a nation under the Law Covenant.  Like Abraham, Job was a priest over his own house (Job 1:5).  This is the oldest book in the world and was probably written by Elihu (he speaks in the first person, Job 32:16).  This book tells the story of an upright man enduring affliction at the hand of Satan under the permissive will of God while surrounded by “miserable comforters.”  It is written in the form of a dramatic poem.  The liberal scholars claim it is an allegory with fictional characters, but Job was just as real as Noah and Daniel (Ezek 14:14).

This book tells the story of an upright man enduring affliction at the hand of Satan, under the permissive will of God, while surrounded by miserable comforters.  It is written in the form of a dramatic poem.  This book answers the question, “Why do the godly suffer?”  We learn that God allows it for His glory (Job 1:8; 2:3) and for our own good (Job 40:3-5; 42:1-6).  The temptation of Job pictures what Israel will go through during the tribulation period.  Satan will accuse Israel and God will permit him to afflict them (Rev 12:7-17, “the accuser”).  The godly remnant that endures to the end will be saved (Matt 24:13; Jam 5:7-11) and receive double blessing (Isa 61:7).  The tribulation period will humble Israel and prepare them to receive Christ (Job 42:6; Ezek 36:31).  The great tribulation lasts 42 months and Job has 42 chapters.  Satan, the great dragon (described in Job 41, see Job 41:34) is on the earth in the great tribulation (Job 1:7; 1 Pet 5:8; Rev 12:9).

Outline:

I. Job and Satan (1:1-2:10)

A. Job’s prosperity (1:1-5)

B. Job’s adversity (1:6-2:10)

II. Job and His Friends (2:11-37)

A. Arrival of three friends (2:11-13)

B. Job’s speech (3)

C. Debates (4-37)

1. First round (4-14)

a. Eliphaz (4-5) — Job’s reply (6-7)

b. Bildad (8) — Job’s reply (9-10)

c. Zophar (11) — Job’s reply (12-14)

2. Second round (15-21)

a. Eliphaz (15) — Job’s reply (16-17)

b. Bildad (18) — Job’s reply (19)   

c. Zophar (20) — Job’s reply (21)

3. Third round (22-37)

a. Eliphaz (22) — Job’s reply (23-24)         

b. Bildad (25) — Job’s reply (26-31)

c. Elihu (32-37)

III. Job and the LORD (38-42)

A. God humbles Job (38-42:6)

B. God honors Job (42:7-17)

1. God rebukes his critics (42:7-10)

2. God restores (doubles) his wealth (42:11-17)