The Book of Job

The Book of Job A picture of an evolving God (God and humans in terms of relationship therefore BOTH change). A drama of the inner life (spiritual journey) Job = Everyman (meaning he is an archetype) Hero = Job Author is anonymous (author combined a Hebrew folk tale, written in prose, own ideas, written in poetry)

Outline of Contents Prologue: 1-2 (prose) Job and his friends: 3-31 (Hebrew folk tale/ Babylonian or Sumerian epic poem) Job’s complaint: 3 The first dialogue: 4-14 (conversation) The second dialogue: 15-21 The third dialogue: 22- 27 Praise of Wisdom (added 400-200 BC): 28 Job’s final statement: 29-31 The speeches of Elihu (added 400-200 BC): 32-37 The Lord answers Job: 38-42:6 Epilogue: 42:7-17

Conflict The Satan (the challenge)/ “The bet” Three friends (Bildad, Zophar, Elihu)

Themes The age old problem of evil (Why? How can He? No magic answer!) Why do the innocent suffer and the wicked prosper? How can this be reconciled with the belief in a benevolent, just, and omnipotent Deity?

Solutions offered in Job To suffer is- A test of man’s goodness and faith A punishment for sin An admonition and restorative God A part of the “unfathomed mystery” of the universe, in which evil as well as good are ingredients A challenge to man to remain faithful to God and at the same time preserve his intellectual honesty

Characters God Prologue and Epilogue: depicted as a ruler, proud of the loyalty of his servant Job; benevolent but not merciful to allow his servant to be tried by terrible afflictions. Voice of the Whirlwind: Yahweh of the prophets; eternal, omnipotent, capable of anger, but concerned for each individual that he has created.

The Satan (Not Lucifer): one of God’s servants who goes to and from the earth and heaven and associates on equal terms with “sons of God.” (1.6) He is an “agent provocateur” (troublemaker) who functions to observe man, report on his behavior and test his genuineness of his righteousness. The Satan = adversary; he is the antagonist

Job: the hero (tragic hero Job: the hero (tragic hero?); the name Job means one who turns or returns to God. Ironically, Job spelled backward means enemy. Beginning: completely upright and God-fearing man who suffers calamities through no fault of his own. Intelligent, honest, and capable of reflection. Later: impatient with the heckling of his friends. Even Later: comes close to blasphemy when he dares to question God’s treatment of human beings.

The four “comforters” (really hecklers): they don’t bring Job comfort, rather they add misery by refusing to believe his claims of innocence and by accusing him of deceit, pride and stubbornness. All are supporters of the traditional view that suffering is proof of guilt. Eliphaz: least obnoxious, somewhat sympathetic, old, and has visions (4:12-21) Bilidad: relies on traditions of the past, middle-aged, scholarly, and dogmatic Zophar: younger and even more dogmatic; narrow minded and irascible, most forceful Elihu: youngest; conceited and self-confident. Thinks he can succeed in persuading Job though others failed.

Setting Plot Heaven Job’s home Ash heap/ dump outside of the city The most important events or “actions” take place in Job’s mind, which is Job’s journey in faith

- Job’s decision to remain true to God based in his recognition that God himself will be his vindicator (19:25-29) - Job’s misfortune and cycles of speakers - Voice in whirlwind reassures Job -Action is occurring in Job’s mind - Challenge/ Wager - Intro (1-5) - Job’s property is restored