Job
Overview
Job in Hebrew → persecuted, he that weeps, cries out of a hollow place, one who turns to God. Theme: Suffering Key Scriptures: 2:3, 13:15
Chapters 1-2: Prologue Chapters 3-27: Consolation and Accusation from Bad Friends Chapter 28: Interlude Hymn Chapters 29-42: Discussion of God’s Ways Chapters 38-41: God Answers Chapter 42: Epilogue - Job’s Summary
Purposes:
- To show the problem of how suffering can be reconciled with the justice of God (Theodicy).
- To show Job as God’s example of patience under suffering.
Messages:
- Bad things happen to good people.
- There is always a reason why bad things happen to good people.
- Suffering can be used to bring us closer to God, both personally (in character) and relationally (in our knowledge of Him).
- God permits evil to act within the boundaries he sovereignly sets.