JOB

JOB

JOB

Most of this book is poetry, but it is not fiction. Job was a real person in a real place who suffered real trials (Ezek. 14:14–20). James points to Job as an example of endurance, which means faithfulness under trial (James 5:11). Job did get impatient with himself, his circumstances, and his friends, but he did not turn away from his faith in God.

The book describes three encounters: Job and Satan (chaps. 1–2), Job and his friends (chaps. 3–37), and Job and the Lord (chaps. 38–42). His friends did their best to convince Job he was suffering because he was a sinner, but Job refused to compromise his integrity. In spite of some rash statements, Job spoke the truth, but his friends did not (Job 42:7).

It is usually said that the book of Job deals with this question: “Why do the godly suffer?” Actually, the theme goes deeper than that. Satan accused Job of serving God only because God blessed him. Unfortunately, there are people like that, people with “commercial faith” who say to God, “If you bless me, I will serve You!” (See Satan’s temptation of Christ in Matt. 4:8–10.)

The basic question is not “Why do the righteous suffer?” (there are many answers to that question) but “Is our God worthy of our worship and service, or must He “buy’ us with His blessings?” Satan was not only slandering Job; he was also slandering the Lord! He was saying, “God would not have any followers if He did not reward them!”

As you read, note the many images used by the speakers. These similes and metaphors help us see ourselves, the world of nature, life and death and, most of all, almighty God. (God is called “Almighty” thirty-one times in Job.) Job suffered so that you and I might learn some valuable lessons about what it really means to trust the Lord.

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