JOB --- SANCTITY IN SUFFERING

INTRODUCTION

1.    The books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon are known as poetical books.

A.   The title is often confusing to the English reader since they do not look like any poetry that we know.

B.   There is no English rhyme to these books.

C.   Hebrew poetry is not rhyme in word sounds, but is a structure built on ideas expressed in words.

2.    The book takes its name from its principal character, Job.

A.   The name “Job” means “the persecuted”, or “he will not cry out”.

B.   The name certainly fits the person and his problems.

C.   Job was an historical figure and is mentioned as such in both the Old and New Testaments. (Ezek. 14:20; James 5:11)

D.   Almost certainly he lived before the giving of the Law.

1)    Some claim he lived before Abraham.

2)    Some suggest he was one of the sons of Issachar. (Gen. 46:13)

E.   He was a deeply pious man. (1:1)

F.    “He was the greatest of all the men of the east.” (1:3)

3.    The book of Job is believed to be the oldest in the world. It must have been written around the time of Jacob, and could perhaps be placed between Genesis 11 and 12. See the following reasons for holding to such an ancient date:

A.   The total silence of Job’s “friends” on the miracles attending the exodus of Moses’ time.

B.   The length of Job’s life places him in the patriarchal times. (32:6; 42:16)

C.   Job acted as high priest in his family (1:5) which was not allowed after the exodus.

D.   No references are made to Israel, the law or the tabernacle.

4.    In the opinion of many, Job is the most remarkable book in the Bible:

A.   “The greatest poem, whether of ancient or modern literature.” --Tennyson

B.   Regarded it as “more magnificent and sublime than any other book of Scripture”. -Luther

C.   ”I call that (Job) one of the grandest things ever written with pen.” --Carlyle

D.   ”The book of Job is perhaps the greatest masterpiece of the human mind.” --Victor Hugo

AMAZING FEATURES OF THE BOOK

1.    The book shows how full were the theological knowledge and intellectual culture of the patriarchal age. Almost every important doctrine is discussed.

A.   Justification---9:1, 2

B.   Redemption---9:33

C.   Bodily resurrection---14:14

D.   Return of Christ---19:25

2.    Though it is not a book meant to teach science, yet its language is full of recent discoveries:

A.   “He...hangeth the earth upon nothing.” (26:7) Many of the ancients had absurd ideas---some believing that the world was supported by a turtle and others upon the back of Atlas.

B.   “Canst thou bind...Pleides?” (38:31) Recent photographic plates show the principal stars of a cluster called Pleides as enveloped and threaded together by delicate streams of nebulous matter (the binding).

C.   “The morning stars sang together.” (38:7 cf. Psa. 19:1-3) Modern science has discovered that light rays have sound and that if our ears were more finely tuned, we could hear them.

D.   “The circuit of heaven.” (22:14) Scientists for years taught that the world was flat. Some today, ignorant of Scripture, accuse the Bible of fostering this error. Note, however, that only the Bible of all the ancient books actually speaks of the earth as round. The “circuit of the earth” is literally, “the sphere of the earth”.

E.   “Canst thou guide Arcturus?” (38:32) Arcturus is the fastest moving star which we can see without a telescope. It moves at the rate of 75 miles a second or 4,500 miles a minute. Too fast for a man to steer and direct.

PURPOSE OF THE BOOK

1.    Its subject is the problem of pain and suffering, especially as it bears on the life of the believer.

2.    Why do the godly suffer and why is God silent?

3.    All suffering was thought to be on account of personal sin. Because Job suffered greatly, his friends thought he must have sinned terribly.

4.    The book shows, contrary to the ancient philosophy, that suffering and pain as in Job’s case was not chastisement, but sent as a test and revealer of character and to instruct and educate. (5:17)

5.    The ancients asked, “How can this man be godly if he suffers?” We Christians say, “How can this man be God-like if he knows nothing of suffering?” (Hebrews 12:6-11)

AUTHOR---unknown. Many think it was Moses; some favor Job himself.

DATE

1.    Some consider it the oldest book in the world.

2.    The author may have lived much later than the hero of the book.

3.    However, it is impossible to know the day of writing if we do not know the author.

MESSAGES

1.    Job, out of the patient endurance of his suffering, in the end comes to see God and is abundantly rewarded. (cf. I Peter 1:7)

2.    In contrast to the “friends” of Job, Christians ought to be quick to encourage and slow to criticize the fellow believer who is being tested. Job’s friends only added to his discomfort through their lack of understanding.

3.    Trials and suffering sometimes come for our education, not always as chastisement, through God’s permissive will.

OUTLINE OF THE BOOK

  I.    THE DISASTERS OF JOB (1-2)

A.   The explanations of his troubles

1.    The majestic purposes of God.

2.    The malignant purpose of Satan

B.   The extent of his troubles (Satan was permitted to:)

1.    Take Job’s fortune

2.    Touch Job’s family

3.    Torture Job’s flesh

4.    Turn Job’s friends

 II.    THE DEBATES OF JOB (3:1-42:6)

A.   Job’s cry (3)

B.   Job’s critics (4-31)

C.   Job’s Comforter (32-37)

D.   Job’s Creator (38:1-42:6)

III.   THE DELIVERANCE OF JOB (42:7-17)

A.   The reconciliation

B.   The restoration

                       .                                                     --Exploring the Scriptures;

                                                                                                                 John Phillips