JOB BOOK OVERVIEW
OLD TESTAMENT POETRY: JOB‘S STORY OF LOSS + REDEMPTION
Job was a righteous man whom God allowed Satan to test, leading him to lose his wealth, health, and family. Even in his distress, Job remained faithful to God. Job’s friends - Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, as well as another man named Elihu - argued with Job over God’s goodness and justice. Although Job had not been sinful, his friends believed that his transgressions caused his miserable circumstances.
Throughout Job’s story, he wrestled with a major question of the faith: why does God allow suffering? After hearing some terrible advice and gaining a greater perspective, Job concluded that God’s ways are too vast and magnificent for anyone to fully understand. Job realized that an encounter with God was far more valuable than an answer or explanation from God.
MAIN IDEAS: QUESTIONING THE REASON FOR SUFFERING
Job was a righteous man who loved God, but he was tested and oppressed by Satan. (Job 1:1-22)
Despite his great suffering and loss, Job hoped and trusted in God’s ultimate authority. (Job 4:6)
Job could not comprehend God’s purpose for his life, but he trusted God’s great wisdom. (Job 28:28)
God graciously blessed Job because of His kindness, not because of Job’s obedience. (Job 42:10)
EXAMPLE OF GOD’S CHARACTER: THE GREATER PERSPECTIVE
More than any other book of the Bible, Job asks a lot of questions. Throughout the book, Job, his four companions, and God Himself asked almost 300 questions! Satan questioned God, Job questioned the reason for his suffering, Job’s friends questioned his innocence, and Elihu questioned God’s involvement. In Job 38-41, God engaged in the conversation; instead of answering the many questions, he questioned Job’s perspective.
In Job 38:4, God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation?“ During creation, God created everything, and Job did not yet exist. God then asked Job who controls the winds and the waves. God is sovereign over everything, but Job only had the limited perspective of his life. God shared His extensive knowledge of all creation, including plants, animals, and humanity. After hearing God’s response, Job repented: “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know” (Job 42:3). Job realized that his perspective and level of understanding were microscopic compared to the Creator of the universe. Despite Job’s questioning, God responded to him and shared His wisdom. God’s purposes, although sometimes confusing or frustrating, ultimately work together for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28)!
JESUS IN JOB: TRUST IN GOD‘S ULTIMATE PURPOSES
Like Jesus, Job experienced pain and suffering despite his righteousness. Although Job was not entirely sinless, he faithfully worshipped God and lived blamelessly. Job’s powerful words in Job 13:15 - “Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face” - are reminiscent of Jesus’ words before the crucifixion. In the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus pled with God to change His fate while also trusting God’s purposes, saying, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42).
Although the story of Job took place long before the life of Jesus, Job’s hope in God’s salvation points to the future hope of Jesus. In Job 19:25, Job stated, “I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.” Without even knowing God’s specific plan for redemption, Job trusted that God would provide a Savior!
