Job the prologue

Job

Prologue

Job is considered to be one of the wisdom books right along with Proverbs. However Proverbs is an collection of short wisdom sayings, whereas Job is wisdom literature. Job is a through analysis of the relationship of suffering and divine justice put into poetic form. Even though Job is a fascinating read the translation is difficult due to poetic parallelism and cryptic context. Job has many grammatical constructions that are unusual, and many rare words that are hard to define. The book uses a variety of genres such as laments, hymns, proverbs and oracles. Each one of the speakers use a variation of these genres according to their own styles. This book Job presents many valuable ideas of the suffering of the righteous. Ultimately it teaches that one must submit to the wisdom of the creator. Even Jobs friends had and gave shallow answers to Jobs suffering, even though they gave thought to what they had to say their words do not do justice to the issues at hand. Job’s friends argue that sin is the reason for suffering, this may indeed be true, however their arguments don’t apply to Job. They are unaware that Job is the centerpiece of a cosmic battle between God and Satan. When Job protest he sounds angry and belligerent, but he holds true to his integrity. Job does turn his plea to God, demanding a hearing in which he gets one. Job didn’t get the why questions answered, but rather that God is the sovereign ruler of the universe, and the mankind must submit to his plans. At the end however God does not abandon his sufferer.

The Man

Concerning Job we are told:

That he was a man; therefore subject to like passions as we are. He was a worthy man, a man of note and eminency, a magistrate, a man in authority. The country he lived in was the land of Uz, in the eastern part of Arabia, which lay towards Chaldea, near Euphrates, probably not far from Ur of the Chaldees, where Abram was called.

Job is described as perfect or pure depending on the version of Bible you use the word here in Hebrew is (tam) has been translated as perfect the root word is (tamam) means to be blameless, complete. The word is found in Genesis 25:27 to Jacob as “even tempered,” however it doesn’t mean sinless. The distinction here is that Job was wholeheartedly trying to serve God and that his integrity made him blameless before God.

Job is mentioned in Ezekiel as one of the greats right along with Noah and Daniel (Ez 14:14) Since Job is probably one of the oldest books of the Bible it is unclear whether the name origin is Hebrew or not. The most likely scenario is that the name is of an Arabic derivative, in that case it would mean “the one who always returns to God.”

We do know that Job was devout, in his relationship with God. Job was faithful, upright, in his dealings with men and his vows to God. He shunned evil or he did everything in his power to make sure that no evil in any way shape or form was in his life, he exemplified Proverbs 8:17 The fear of the LORD is to hate evil.

Even though a rare attribute he was prosperous and pious at the same time. Job’s prosperity in the way of his herds, silver, gold reminds me of someone else who came from that area instead of Uz Abram came from Ur. Some speculate the two cities were not far apart. I wonder what it was of that area that righteous men came from their.

The chess match

So when we read into Job that on a certain day of presentation, some sort of Angelic parade that the fallen one Satan slips into the mix. I find it odd that it is apparent that Lucifer has already been cast out of Heaven and yet manages to get in. In todays language God would have said where did you come from, of course this was a rhetorical statement. Satan would have answered from roving around the earth thoughtfully investigation the people their (I find it interesting that Satan barges in to heaven from where he was cast out but God allows him to move the first chess piece). Does this remind you of what Peter says about Satan and the whole roaring lion thing. The Hebrew word used her is (Hiptael) this is the same word in Genesis 13:17:

Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee.

I can almost imagine God looking at Satan rubbing his chin as in deep thought and saying, “Oh really, you have, have you, well now in your investigation have you seen my servant Job!” again rhetorical. (God moved his piece). “Oh by the way their isn’t anyone else on the Earth like him, upright man, fears God, hates evil.”

“Wanna bet, God you have him and his household hemmed in, remove your protection, and let me have at him and he will curse you to your.” (Satan moves)

“You’re on do what you want to, only leave him alone.” (God moves)

When you read of the death a destruction wreaked upon Job, he lost everything in one day, and yet did not sin, its breathless. (Job 1:13-22) I have no reference for this in context, except when you see disasters such a the earthquake in Haiti, that type of devastation upon one man. Job doesn’t loose his integrity, nor does he sin.

Satan is put into check, in his arrogance he ups the ante. The same conversation ensues. This time Satan is allow to afflict him with some sort of malignant ulcers, boils, we aren’t sure but it must have been extremely ugly, painful, Job must have been in the worst possible condition, his wife even told him it would be better to commit suicide. Job’s so called three friends saw him from a distance they weeped loudly, threw dust in the air, tore their robes, sat with him for seven days not saying a word. In all this Job did not sin.

Check mate!

This is the man we are looking at. Incredible is not even a good enough word for him, I don’t know if there is a English word to describe Job.

The so called friends

The three friends that show up have the same solution to the problem, the only difference is the approach they use, each is distinct according to their individual personalities. The first to speak was Eliphaz, buy conjecture we can safely say he was the eldest. He speak first and boy is he eloquent. So we’ll call him Eliphaz the Eloquent.

The second to speak was Bildad, he was very forthcoming and plain spoke, he didn’t care about anyones feelings not even his suffering friend Job. We’ll call him Bildad the Brutal.

The third to speak was Zophar, he was passionate and emotional and tries to move Job emotionally. His name will be Zophar the Zealous.

Eliphaz the Eloquent

Job 4:2-6

“If someone tries to talk to you, will you become impatient? But who can keep from talking? 3 Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong. 4 When someone stumbled, you lifted him up with your words. When knees were weak, you gave them strength. 5 But trouble comes to you, and you’re impatient. It touches you, and you panic. 6 Doesn’t your fear of God give you confidence and your lifetime of integrity give you hope?”

Job you’ve been a counselor to many people and a help to many, you’ve helped them solve their own problems. You’ve helped them with their own hurts and face the truth about those hurts. Follow your own advice Job, you’ve been caught in the same kind of trap you’ve helped others out of. If your innocent and blameless then take confidence in your own innocence.