Answers for a study in the book of Job, The Hermeneutics

“Answers for a study in the book of Job” (and other books of the Bible) is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.

For a chronological study of the Bible, we will take a time out from Genesis and, for the next two weeks, look at the book of Job. Many Biblical Scholars will cite the book of Job as being one of the earliest books written in the Bible, therefore, a study of this book at this time would be appropriate.

Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.

Reading and reflection:

Read through the book of Job (or listen to an audio version) in one sitting to get the big picture of the narrative. Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for Discussion or Going Deeper questions. If you use these kinds of sources share them with your group.

Use this framework as the lens for your reading:

• God’s Kingdom and His sovereignty throughout the story
• Humanity’s fallen nature and imperfect interaction with each other and with God – thus the need for a Savior (Jesus)
• God’s restorative power and promise of a return to perfection – a picture of the Redeemer and Promised Messiah of Genesis 3:15 (Jesus)

The Hermeneutics:

Using a good study Bible, answer the following questions to the best of your ability:

1.  Job is part of a group of five books in the Bible’s Old Testament. What are these five books and what category do they fall under?

Job – Psalms – Proverbs – Ecclesiastes – Song of Solomon

These five books make up the Christian Old Testament grouping of the Books of Wisdom and Poetry

The book of Job falls in the Ketuvim (Writings) in the Hebrew Bible (Law – Writings – Prophets)

2.  Who was the author and audience and what can we know about them?

Author and date of writing:

The most likely candidate would be Job himself, and that would make the book’s date of events and writing an early date, with a secondary possibility of Elihu. Another possibility is Moses, if he was the author the date of the writing would be around 1440 B.C. and the event date uncertain. Solomon is another candidate because of the genre of the writing. If Solomon was the author, the date of the writing would be around 950 B.C. and the events could have been even later in their history.

Reasons for the traditional authorship being attributed to Job:

• The many first-hand accounts found in the book of Job, they seem to come as an eyewitness.
• Job offered sacrifices without the benefit of a priest (Job 1:5), This would place it pre-Moses and the giving of the Law.
• His wealth was measured in terms of flocks and servants (Job 1:3, 42:12), this would similar to Abraham’s time.
• He interacted with historical people groups: the Sabeans and Chaldeans (Job 1:15, 17), and these were ancient groups.
• He lived a long life—after his restoration Job lived 140 years and died “an old man, and full of days” (Job 42:10, 16–17), which hearkens back to Abraham who died at 175 and was described as “an old man and full of years” (Genesis 25:7–8).

Audience:

With any of the authorships, the Hebrew people would still have been the target audience. Since Job is in the “wisdom” literature grouping, it can be considered a timeless teaching as well.

3.  What is the genre (Literary style) of this book?

This book’s genre is considered to be in the wisdom and poetry category, even though it is considered to be an historical narrative of true events, it teaches much in the timeless ways of wisdom and truth.

4.  What is the purpose for the writing of this book?

The main purpose: To demonstrate God’s sovereignty, and the meaning of true faith. It addresses the question: “Why do the righteous suffer?”

The Book of Job also helps us to understand the following (from gotquestions.org):

• God’s sovereignty over all things – He is the Creator, and His Hesed is beyond our understanding
• God has power over what Satan can and cannot do.
• It is beyond our human ability to understand the “why’s” behind all the suffering in the world.
• The wicked will receive their just dues.
• Suffering may sometimes be allowed in our lives to purify, test, teach, or strengthen the soul.
• God remains enough, His love for us is great and beyond our comprehension, therefore, He deserves and requests our love and praise in all circumstances of life.
• God will provide our ultimate redemption through His Son Jesus (Job 19:25).

5.  Write a quick outline of this book for an overview.

(From the Life Application Bible)

I.  Job is tested – (we get a pick behind the “spiritual” curtain in Heaven)

II. Three friends answer Job

III. A young man answers Job

IV. God answers Job

V.  Job is restored

Megathemes:

• Suffering
• Satan’s attacks
• God’s goodness
• Pride
• Trusting

6.  The main theme, and reference to the person of Jesus, is found in Job 19:23-27 . Read that passage, then copy down verse 25 and commit it to memory.

“Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book! “That with an iron stylus and lead they were engraved in the rock forever! “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. “Even after my skin is destroyed, yet from my flesh I shall see God; Whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see and not another. My heart faints within me!”  Job 19:23-27 NASB“

“As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth.” Job 19:25

7.  Application: What kinds of questions and/or problems do we have today that the book of Job might help us understand, and why?

These answers may vary, but can include…

• It gives us some insight into God’s “big picture” and the knowledge that there are many things that go on in the spiritual realm that we cannot see, and therefore, if we know God (through the study of His Word and prayer), then we can trust that He will work all things out for the ultimate good of those He loves.
• We are never promised “prosperity” in this life, but we are promised redemption, salvation and an eternal home in perfection with Him!
• The problem of evil and suffering take on a new answer if we understand that God is sovereign, holy, just, righteous and all-loving. With patience, we will see our Redeemer face to face! (Now we know in part, then we will be known fully, and will fully know).

8.  Going Deeper – Research: Why is the Bible not in chronological order? Use this link to help with your research: https://www.gotquestions.org/chronological-Bible.html

From their website:

“The books of the Bible are not in chronological order; rather, they are primarily arranged according to type of literature. For example, Genesis through Esther are historical and are grouped together, Job through Song of Solomon form another group of mainly poetry, and Isaiah through Malachi are prophecy, with some historical narrative. Similarly, Matthew through Acts are historical, Romans through Jude are letters to churches or individuals, and Revelation is prophecy. Within the type of literature, the books of the Bible are sometimes arranged in a basic chronological order. For example, Isaiah’s prophecies occurred before Jeremiah’s prophecies. In other cases, the books are arranged longest to shortest, such as for Paul’s epistles.

To arrange the Bible’s content in chronological order, some books would have to be split up and inserted into other books. For example, 1 and 2 Chronicles would have to be parceled out into 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings. There might be some benefit in grouping historical narratives that cover the same event, but the overarching theme of 1 and 2 Chronicles would be lost in the process. That theme with its related purpose, to encourage exiles returning to Jerusalem of their spiritual heritage concerning the priesthood and the temple, can only be followed by reading 1 and 2 Chronicles as a unit.

Additionally, some books of the Bible are hard to place chronologically, because we aren’t sure exactly when they were written or when the events they record took place. For example, no one is sure when the book of Job was written, although there are hints within the book that Job himself lived early in human history. Chronologically, the book of Job would probably fall within the book of Genesis. Some lists place it between Genesis 11 and Genesis 12.

The fact that the Bible isn’t in chronological order can sometimes make studying the Bible difficult, especially for the student who wants to keep various passages from multiple books in their historical context. That is where chronological Bibles come in. A chronological Bible puts the content of the Bible in chronological order. As an example, Isaiah ministered during the times of the kings. So a chronological Bible puts Isaiah’s prophecies in the appropriate places in the books of 1 and 2 Kings. A detailed chronological Bible, as well as many study Bibles, will also harmonize the four gospels, putting all the events in the life of Christ in chronological order.”

My own thought: I would not recommend studying chronologically on your own until you have gone through the Bible a few times in the given order and groupings; or unless you have the “big picture” of the Bible understood as we will do in this class. We will cite the chronology as best we can, without losing the context and themes that are important for the big picture.

Please join us each week as we continue our “Case for the Old Testament” Class!

———————————————————————

You will not find this material in the public school curriculum even though it is based on solid evidence and grounded in research. It is ironic that following the evidence to where it leads stops at the door of our public schools as they will not let a “Divine footprint” in!  Join us as we examine evidence for Christianity and learn how to become a thoughtful defender and ambassador of your faith.

Click into the resource page of this website to view many of the top Christian thinkers and apologists along with some of their work; connecting to these types of resources is essential in your Christian growth.

Please let me know what you think: Give feedback, ask questions or send concerns in the comment section of the blog.

Teri Dugan

TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com

1 Peter 3:15