- 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
7 comments:
Hey, your picture is beautiful, by the way!
Hey Carrie,
Quick question: why do you think Job is "obviously a true account of the man named Job"?
Your blog study with the incredibly long web address looks great! Have fun!
Good Question Bret...elaborate...please!
I have always thought it to be an account of something that happened to a real person named Job, what is your take? Give us something to chew on.
Carrie
Well, let's just start with what you've already noticed about Job. What has led you to read this as "a play"? If Job is to be read as a play, is it's value or truthfulness affected by whether is a historical figure or a metaphorical one? --Bret
Bret, after thinking about this overnight, I think that the value or truthfulness would not be affected if it were metaphorical...but now I am eager to know whether it is more historical or metaphorical, so I will have to pursue more study. Thanks for stirring the pot!:)
Carrie
Hi everyone,
The literary form of Job is that of a drama, and Bret is right that whether or not it is a historical account, that does not change the spiritual truth communicated by the book or the fact that God's people saw the book as divinely inspired scripture. There are, however, some ties to actual geographical reality that might suggest the drama is based on actual events. One of Job's friends is called Eliphaz the Temanite. Teman was one of the cities of Edom. Job was not an Israelite, but probably an edomite. Also, the prophet Ezekiel later places Job alongside Noah and Daniel, both of whom were actual historical figures (Ezekiel 14:20). All that being said, it doesn't change the spiritual value of the book one way or another.
Levite
In response to the question of if this book is a tru account of real person. If I may...may I direct you to the book of james. Specifically James Chapter 5 verses 10-12. Which says
"10As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
11We count those blessed who endured You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord's dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
12But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment
*** Ok here...we see Job being refered to in the New Testament. Not only that but he also referred to as well in the old testament in Ezekiel Chapter 14. i don't want to get to lengthy here in this post but in Ezekiel God mentions Job in the same sentence as both Daniel and Noah.
Food for thought
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