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Bible study, christianity, church, endurance, faithfulness, God, injustice, integrity, Job, patience, suffering, The Bible, wisdom literature
Since I am going to be spending a few weeks doing some studies in Job in our men’s Bible study, I did a little intro last night on how we need to understand this fascinating Old Testament book. There are two very important questions that connect with each other that help us in our interpretation. First–What do we know about the man and setting for this narrative? The easy answer is “not much.” There are almost no geographical or historical markers in the book for us to place Job or his family at any specific time or any specific place. While there are some scholarly speculations we really have no familiarity with the locality of “Uz” (possibly Idumea). With just a little more confidence we could say much the same for the main character of the drama. Outside of the book named for him Job is mentioned in two other places–Ezekiel 14 and James 5–in the former for his faith and in the latter for his endurance.
Secondly–Why is Job categorized as wisdom literature as opposed to historical narrative? Even a slightly careful reading will surface some rather obvious clues that it is the life lessons in the story which are important, rather than the details in the history. Here are a couple of examples–chapter 1 begins with a description of Job’s personal blamelessness and his worship of God. The chapter ends with his commitment to worship and his refusal to charge God with sin. Literally the character of this man becomes the bookends for responding to the suffering he begins to experience. The “wisdom” nature of the writing is also seen in the formulaic reporting of the compounding tragedy that comes upon Job’s possessions and family–repeatedly we read, as if it were scripted, “I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Allow me to make a disclaimer lest I be charged with heresy. I am not saying that Job was not an actual historical figure to whom some really bad things happened. What I am saying is that the point of the narrative is not in its historicity, but in it’s wisdom. This is vitally important because it affects the way we understand the opening scene in the “heavenly court.” We will almost immediately find ourselves in theologically murky water when we start attempting to build an understanding of “the accuser” (Satan) based upon a literal understanding of these verses. These questions normally center around Satan “being in heaven” and being numbered among the “sons of God.”
When addressing the question of the main thesis of this familiar and powerful book of Scripture the terms that normally get used are things like perseverance, suffering, patience, etc. I will suggest that while these are certainly present in the narrative, the principal overarching theme is that of the sovereignty and worship of God. As Job famously states in the first chapter–“The Lord has given and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In the good times and in the bad times–God is in control and worthy of worship!
The study of Job is fascinating! The lesson in overcoming what Satan and people are capable of doing by trusting in God is paramount. Also, the prophesy stands out: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God: I myself will see him with my own eyes – I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me.” (19:25-27) These words describe the Christian life to a ‘T’.
Not to be too far off your point, but I believe I heard that Job was passed down from before the flood. Therefore, there would be no geographic markers, especially if you take what Genesis says about Peleg literally.
My only point was that Job does have most of the type of detail we would expect in a historical account–such as time, place, genealogy, etc. Regarding time and place there are a couple of clues. I would have to suggest that it is post-diluvian in light of chapter 22, verse 16 which speaks of wicked me being swept away by a flood. I think most scholars would agree that Job is more accurately placed around the time of Abraham, but well before Moses. For instance, we see him practicing sacrifice, but with no mention of the law, tabernacle, Levitical priesthood, etc.
I really liked your thought provoking question, “What is Satan doing in heaven?” I am looking forward to reading more of your posts.
Why is it murky to consider Satan our accuser, in part based on this passage? The name itself means opposer. And he is day and night accusing us us in Rev. 12:10.
Thank you so much for you comment as it gives me an opportunity to clarify my meaning. First, it is certainly not “murky” to identify and understand Satan as the accuser. I am sure you are aware that is actually what the word means, which, as you have already indicated, is evident through other passages of Scripture. My point was more directed at the questions that often get asked of this passage which I am not convinced it can bear the weight of. These questions are the ones I made reference to. Things like–What is Satan doing in heaven? How can God, who will allow sin in His presence, allow Satan there? Who are the “sons of God?” That is more of what I was making reference to?