- Job is obviously a true account of the man named Job, but it is written in the form of a play. It is important that we know that to start off with, because if chapters are taken out of context, that would be misleading, and and incorrect account of the story. Think of the people as characters in a play.
- Chapters 1 and 2 are basically a narrative prologue, to set up Job's story.
- At the end of chapter 2 Job is sitting with his friends, and thus begins chapter 3 and the discussions between he and his friends.
- Chapters 3-31 is the cycle of speeches. In each cycle, Job speaks three times and his friends speak one time.
- The important thing to understand in chapters 3-31, is that everyone speaking in these speeches, including Job himself, are saying the wrong things. They are blaming the wrong people for everything that has happened to Job, and Job himself is blaming God. These chapters would not be interpreted correctly if taken out of context with the chapters around them.
- In chapters 32-37, this guy named Elihu pipes up and tells everyone where they are wrong. So this guys comments are quite significant to understanding the book.
- In chapter 38-41 the Lord speaks out about the situation with some replies from Job.
- In verses 1-6 of chapter 42 Job Repents...
- The book finishes out in 42:7-17 as the narrator finishes the story...much like what would happen in a play.
Hopefully this will help get everyone ready for the study. Right now I am searching for good Bible Study Tools, links to websites and resources to help with our studies. If you know of any off hand, please let me know so I can post them for everyone else to use as well!! Thanks!
CB
