Job (Introduction) by Mark Copeland

  "THE BOOK OF JOB"

                              Introduction

The Book of Job has long been praised as a masterpiece of literature.
Consider these quotes:

   "Tomorrow, if all literature was to be destroyed and it was left to
   me to retain one work only, I should save Job." (Victor Hugo)

   "...the greatest poem, whether of ancient or modern literature."
   (Tennyson)

   "The Book of Job taken as a mere work of literary genius, is one of
   the most wonderful productions of any age or of any language."
   (Daniel Webster)

What is it about the book that prompts such praise?  Most Christians I
know don't feel that way about the Book of Job.  Perhaps it is because
many tend to neglect the Old Testament altogether.  Yet Paul wrote of
the value of the Old Testament scriptures:

   For whatever things were written before were written for our
   learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the
   Scriptures might have hope. (Ro 15:4)

Note that the Old Testament was written for our learning, that it
provides patience and comfort, and as such can be a source of hope.
This is especially true with the story of Job, to whom James referred
when seeking to instill patience (cf. Jm 5:10-11). Because the Book of
Job is so often neglected, yet presents a valuable lesson and is so
highly praised by even people of the world, Christians should certainly
take the time to study this portion of God's Word!

THE PLACE OF JOB IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:  Job is the first of five books
commonly referred to as "The Books Of Poetry".  These include Job,
Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.  Called such
because they are written in poetic style in contrast to the narrative
style of most other books, they are also often referred to as "Wisdom
Literature" (especially Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes).  Oswald
Chambers (1874-1917) offered this concise summary of the five books:

   * Job - How to suffer

   * Psalms - How to pray

   * Proverbs - How to act

   * Ecclesiastes - How to enjoy

   * Song of Solomon - How to love

Now let's take a look at the Book of Job in particular...

AUTHOR AND DATE OF WRITING:  Who wrote the book, and when?  No one
really knows.  Jewish tradition attributes the book to Moses, and other
authors have been suggested (Job, Elihu, Solomon, Isaiah, Hezekiah, and
Baruch, Jeremiah's scribe).  "All that can be said with certainty is
that the author was a loyal Hebrew who was not strictly bound by the
popular creed that assumed suffering was always the direct result of
sin" (Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown).  Because the author is unknown,
it's date has been hotly debated among scholars.  Some think it was
written before Moses (pre 1500 B.C.).  Others put it at the time of
Solomon (ca. 900 B.C.), and some even as late as the Babylonian Exile
or later (post 600 B.C.).

The uncertainty of author and date does not nullify the book's
inspiration, for it is affirmed in the New Testament.  Paul quotes from
it on several occasions in his writings (cf. 1Co 3:19 with Job 5:13;
and Ro 11:35 with Job 41:11).  For the Christian who accepts the
inspiration of the New Testament, such evidence is sufficient.

THE HISTORICITY OF THE BOOK:  Even though inspired, are we to take the
events described in it as historically true?  There are several reasons
for believing that they are:

   * The style of the opening and close of the book certainly conform
     to other Biblical narratives that are historical (cf. 1:1 with
     1Sa 1:1 and Lk 1:5).

   * In Ezekiel 14:14, Job is mentioned along with Noah and Daniel,
     two other figures of history.

   * James, the Lord's brother, refers to Job as an example of
     perseverance (Jm 5:11).

THE SETTING OF THE BOOK:  The historical events appear to be set in
the "Patriarchal" period (i.e., sometime between Noah and Moses). There
are no allusions to the Law of Moses in the book, but there is a
mention of a flood (22:16). Job functions as a priest in offering
sacrifices for his family (1:5), similar to what we find with Abraham
(cf. Gen 12:7).  His longevity is typical of the patriarchs (42:16;
cf. Gen 11:22-26,32).  For such reasons I would place him somewhat
contemporary with Abraham (i.e., ca 2000 B.C.).

THE PURPOSE OF THE BOOK:  It is common to suggest that the purpose of
the book is to answer the age-old question, "Why does God allow the
righteous to suffer?"  That is certainly the question Job raises, but
it is worthy to note that he himself never receives a direct answer.
Nor is one given by the author, other than to answer Satan's challenge,
"Does Job fear God for nothing?".  We are privileged to know of the
challenge of Satan, and that God allows Job to suffer in answer to that
challenge, but Job is never told of this.  Therefore, I suggest that
the purpose of the book is:

    To answer the question, "How should the righteous suffer?"

While Job's questions and complaints often come close to charging God
with wrong, he never crosses the line and humbly submits to God when
told that the answers to his questions are beyond his ability to
understand.  Thus the book shows us how the righteous should bear up
under suffering ("You have heard of the perseverance of Job" - Jm 5:
11)

SOME LESSONS FROM THE BOOK:  In his study on the book (The Book Of
Job, Quality Pub.), Wayne Jackson offers the following lessons to be
gleaned:

   * The book defends the absolute glory and perfection of God - It
     sets forth the theme echoed in Ps 18:3 ("I will call upon the
     Lord, who is worthy to be praised").  God is deserving of our
     praise simply on the basis of who He is, apart from the blessings
     He bestows.  Satan denied this (1:9-11), but Job proved him
     wrong (1:20-22; 2:10).

   * The question of suffering is addressed - Why do we suffer?  Who
     or what causes it?  Why doesn't God do something?  Not all
     questions are answered, but some important points are made:

     - Man is unable to subject the painful experiences of human
       existence to a meaningful analysis - God's workings are
       beyond man's ability to fathom.  Man simply cannot tie all
       the "loose ends" of the Lord's purposes together.  We must
       learn to trust in God, no matter the circumstances.

     - Suffering is not always the result of personal sin - The
       erroneous conclusion drawn by Job's friends is that suffering
       is always a consequence of sin.  Job proves this is not the
       case.

     - Suffering may be allowed as a compliment to one's spirituality
       - God allowed Job to suffer to prove to Satan what kind of man
       he really was.  What confidence God had in Job!

   * The book paints a beautiful picture of "patience" - The Greek word
     is "hupomone", which describes the trait of one who is able to
     abide under the weight of trials.  From the "patience of Job", we
     learn that it means to maintain fidelity to God, even under great
     trials in which we do not understand what is happening.

   * The book also prepares the way for the coming of Jesus Christ!
     - His coming is anticipated in several ways.  Job longs for a
     mediator between him and God (9:33; 33:23), and Jesus is one
     (1Ti 2:5).  Job confessed his faith in a Redeemer who would one
     day come (19:25); Christ is that Redeemer (Ep 1:7)!

BRIEF OUTLINE (adapted from Warren Wiersbe)

I. JOB'S DISTRESS (1-3)

   A. HIS PROSPERITY (1:1-5)

   B. HIS ADVERSITY (1:6-2:13)

   C. HIS PERPLEXITY (3)

II. JOB'S DEFENSE (4-37)

   A. THE FIRST ROUND (4-14)
      1. Eliphaz (4-5)_Job's reply (6-7)
      2. Bildad (8)_Job's reply (9-10)
      3. Zophar (11)_Job's reply (12-14)

   B. THE SECOND ROUND (15-21)
      1. Eliphaz (15)_Job's reply (16-17)
      2. Bildad (18)_Job's reply (19)
      3. Zophar (20)_Job's reply (21)

   C. THE THIRD ROUND (22-37)
      1. Eliphaz (22)_Job's reply (23-24)
      2. Bildad (25)_Job's reply (26-31)

   D. YOUNG ELIHU SPEAKS (32-37)
      1. Contradicting Job's friends (32)
      2. Contradicting Job himself (33)
      3. Proclaiming God's justice, goodness, and majesty (34-37)

III. JOB'S DELIVERANCE (38-42)

   A. GOD HUMBLES JOB (38:1-42:6)
      1. Through questions too great to answer (38:1-41:34)
      2. Job acknowledges his inability to understand (42:1-6)

   B. GOD HONORS JOB (42:7-17)
      1. God rebukes his critics (42:7-10)
      2. God restores his wealth (42:11-17)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) What are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon,
   often called?
   - Books of Poetry
   - Wisdom Literature

2) Who wrote the book, and when?
   - We do not know

3) What evidence is there that this book describes an event that
   actually occurred?
   - It both starts and ends like other books of history in the Old
     Testament
   - Job is included with Noah and Daniel, as figures of history, in
     Ezek 14:14
   - James refers to the example of Job in teaching on perseverance
     (Jm 5:11)

4) In what historical time frame is the story of Job possibly set?
   - During the period of the patriarchs, perhaps contemporary with
     Abraham

5) What is the purpose of this book, as suggested in the introduction?
   - To answer the question, "How should the righteous suffer?"

6) According to the outline suggested above, what are the three main
   divisions of the book?
   - Job's Distress (1-3)
   - Job's Defense (4-37)
   - Job's Deliverance (38-42)

Who needs milk?

Somebody like Oreo cookies!  All she needs now is the milk!  Have you ever felt the way she does about something?  It really doesn't have to be food; it could be baseball or knitting or reading or perhaps the love of your life.  You just couldn't spend enough time, money and effort in getting your heart's desire.  But what if you had messed up?  You dropped the ball in the outfield or hurt your love so badly that you don't even speak any more?  Suppose you had a second chance to make things right?  What would you do?  Here is what the Corinthians did in response to Paul's rebuke in his first letter to them...

WEB: II Corinthians 7:11. For behold, this same thing, that you were made sorry in a godly way, what earnest care it worked in you. Yes, what defense, indignation, fear, longing, zeal, and vengeance! In everything you demonstrated yourselves to be pure in the matter.

Anybody can talk about changing their life; I would bet that there are more than a few of us who have already forgotten our "New Year's Resolutions"!!!  But the Corinthians changed their ways; they did something about how they lived and according to this passage they did it in a big way!!!  Reality is that if you really want something, you will do almost anything to get it; milk is optional!!!

Maniac!! ??

I like this cartoon!  It says a great deal about life; especially how we view others!  People do things in different ways; some fast, some slow.  Learning to appreciate those around us is something we hopefully learn to cultivate as we grow.  If this applies to all of us, how much more for the body of Christ.  In the world, loving our fellow human beings happens sometimes, but it is NOT THE NORM!  If it were, crime and warfare as we know it would cease.  Unfortunately, that isn't going to happen anytime soon, BUT for those who call themselves Christians, it SHOULD BE THE NORMAL WAY OF LIVING!!!  Part of the Christian lifestyle is loving those we don't fully understand, because Christ has loved us.  The following passage from the book of first Corinthians gives us a glimpse into the Christian life....


WEB: I Corinthians Chapter 12

[12] For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. [13] For in one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all given to drink into one Spirit. [14] For the body is not one member, but many. [15] If the foot would say, “Because I’m not the hand, I’m not part of the body,” it is not therefore not part of the body. [16] If the ear would say, “Because I’m not the eye, I’m not part of the body,” it’s not therefore not part of the body. [17] If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be? [18] But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body, just as he desired. [19] If they were all one member, where would the body be? [20] But now they are many members, but one body. [21] The eye can’t tell the hand, “I have no need for you,” or again the head to the feet, “I have no need for you.” [22] No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary. [23] Those parts of the body which we think to be less honorable, on those we bestow more abundant honor; and our unpresentable parts have more abundant propriety; [24] whereas our presentable parts have no such need. But God composed the body together, giving more abundant honor to the inferior part, [25] that there should be no division in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another. [26] When one member suffers, all the members suffer with it. Or when one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it.

[27] Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. [28] God has set some in the assembly: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracle workers, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and various kinds of languages. [29] Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all miracle workers? [30] Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with various languages? Do all interpret? [31] But earnestly desire the best gifts. Moreover, I show a most excellent way to you.

Paul shows the reality of Christianity; we are all striving to appreciate and love those who are are our fellow Christians.  The recipients of this letter were Christians who were having problems with maturity in Christ.  They just didn't get it at first.  Later, they did, but not without problems.  Isn't that the way it is with most of us?  It takes us awhile to appreciate others and even longer to love them.  Beyond the reality of the situation, Paul is leading up to a cure for their problem, which he discusses in chapter thirteen of this letter.  LOVE IS THE ANSWER! Paul says:

World English Bible: I Corinthians Chapter 13

[1] If I speak with the languages of men and of angels, but don’t have love, I have become sounding brass, or a clanging cymbal. [2] If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but don’t have love, I am nothing. [3] If I dole out all my goods to feed the poor, and if I give my body to be burned, but don’t have love, it profits me nothing.

[4] Love is patient and is kind; love doesn’t envy. Love doesn’t brag, is not proud, [5] doesn’t behave itself inappropriately, doesn’t seek its own way, is not provoked, takes no account of evil; [6] doesn’t rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; [7] bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. [8] Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will be done away with. Where there are various languages, they will cease. Where there is knowledge, it will be done away with. [9] For we know in part, and we prophesy in part; [10] but when that which is complete has come, then that which is partial will be done away with. [11] When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have become a man, I have put away childish things. [12] For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I will know fully, even as I was also fully known. [13] But now faith, hope, and love remain—these three. The greatest of these is love.


Don't worry so much about what the other fellow is doing; how fast they may be growing in their Christianity... Concentrate on loving others and being understanding.  Then it really won't matter what others do; you will be going at just the right speed, whether you are a snail, a turtle or maybe even a jack rabbit....

Ginger Rodgers she is NOT!!!

Have you ever had someone say to you: "Lets go out and get drunk?!!!  The next morning they won't say it, that is for SURE!!!  In my early twenties I got drunk many times over about a two year period, but one day I woke up in my own vomit (disgusting, I know) and came to my senses.  God was working on me and it was the Bible that set me straight by its teachings on how to live.  For me, it was time to wake up and face reality.  The stupid things you do when you drink are almost beyond believable!!!  Think you are having "fun"; think again!!! Don't believe me?  Believe your hangover, hurt spouse, family and friends!!!  Booze will kill you, destroy everything you hold dear and wreck you life!!  Listen to what just one passage from the Bible says about this...

WEB: Proverbs Chapter 23

[29] Who has woe?
Who has sorrow?
Who has strife?
Who has complaints?
Who has needless bruises?
Who has bloodshot eyes?


[30] Those who stay long at the wine;
those who go to seek out mixed wine.


[31] Don’t look at the wine when it is red,
when it sparkles in the cup,
when it goes down smoothly.


[32] In the end, it bites like a snake,
and poisons like a viper.


[33] Your eyes will see strange things,
and your mind will imagine confusing things.

The "lady" in the picture thinks she is wonderful when drunk, but, OH HOW WRONG SHE IS!!!!  Booze will deceive you into thinking you are OK when you are not and warp your senses.  How many of your family, friends and acquaintances have had problems with Alcohol?  How many people have been killed on the road as a result of drinking and driving?  Don't drink; not at all, not one sip.... ever!!!  You probably are not a Fred Astaire or a Ginger Rodgers (or their present day equivalents) and never will be.  Face reality and don't drink, you will be glad you don't.  If you drink; quit now and never ever take another one!!!  You just may save your life or someone else's!!!!!!

Creamation or burial by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/cremate.htm

something to think about... Gary

Oh, to be a kid again!

Big wheels again?  Why not?  Life is meant to be fun!!!  Never mind that his bicycle light shines a little too high to be of any use or that just getting on to the seat appears to be a challenge. This "out of his teens" man is having fun.  He has the biggest front tire I have ever seen on a bike and the only tandem rear wheels (however small) as well.  That he pedals it is retro and his bulb horn is nostalgic!!!

So, enjoy, because life is short!!!...

WEB: Ecclesiastes 11:9. Rejoice, young man, in your youth,
and let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth,
and walk in the ways of your heart,
and in the sight of your eyes;
but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

Life can be very wonderful for the young (and young in heart)!!!  The world is open to possibilities for those with the right "attitude".  But, remember that you are not invincible, nor are you young forever.  Remember that what you do now will have consequences later.  If not in 40 or 50 or 60 years, then certainly when you leave this world and face the judgment.  Remember God, but live, enjoy and be happy!!!  Only be careful; its dangerous out there!!!  And OH, yes, please put a set of directionals on your bike... you never know when someone may not see you!!! Ha, Ha!!!!!

The Conversion of Saul by Mark Copeland

http://executableoutlines.com/top/saulconv.htm

One of the most notable events in history.... Gary