Purpose

To address the problem of suffering and demonstrate that faith in God is worthwhile even without understanding His ways.

Author

The author is unknown, though some suggest Job himself, Moses, or Solomon. The writer was clearly a master poet with deep theological insight and knowledge of ancient Near Eastern culture.

Historical Context

Written: Unknown (possibly 2000-1500 BC). The story of a righteous man's extreme suffering and his journey to understand God's ways.

Significance

Addresses one of humanity's deepest questions: Why do good people suffer?

Key Themes

Suffering, Faith, God's Sovereignty, Wisdom, Justice

Interesting Facts

• Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible - possibly written before Moses
• Job lost 10 children, all his wealth, and his health in a single day
• Job's friends spoke for 35 chapters but were wrong - sometimes silence is better

Prophecies

• Job's declaration: 'I know that my Redeemer lives' (Job 19:25) Fulfilled: Jesus Christ as the living Redeemer (2000 years later)

In Job Chapter 35, Elihu, one of Job's younger companions, continues to address Job's lamentations and questions regarding God's justice and involvement in human suffering. Elihu opens his discourse by challenging Job's assertion of righteousness and his sense of entitlement to argue with God. He questions whether Job believes it is just to claim that he has a right before God, especially in light of his complaints about suffering despite his blamelessness. Elihu emphasizes that God is transcendent and that human righteousness or wickedness does not affect God directly. He argues that God is not like humans, who are often swayed by moral behaviors; rather, God operates on a divine plane that humans cannot fully grasp. Elihu points out that people often cry out for help in times of oppression but fail to seek God, who is their true Maker. Instead, they focus on their immediate distress and fail to recognize God's wisdom and guidance. Elihu asserts that God does not hear those who cry out without sincerity or who exhibit pride in their evil deeds. He suggests that Job's complaints arise from a misunderstanding of God's nature and the ways in which He interacts with humanity. Elihu closes by chastising Job for speaking without knowledge, implying that Job's words are not grounded in understanding or truth. This chapter serves as a pivotal moment in the dialogue, as Elihu attempts to steer the conversation back to a more profound acknowledgment of God's sovereignty and the importance of humility in the face of divine wisdom.

The first part of the Bible, written before Jesus came to earth, containing 39 books that tell the story of God's relationship with humanity from the very beginning.

Purpose

To reveal God's character, establish His covenant with humanity, and prepare the way for the coming Messiah.

Significance

Shows God's faithfulness to His promises and sets up everything we need to understand about Jesus in the New Testament. Everything in the Old Testament points forward to Jesus - He's the fulfillment of every promise and prophecy!

Books written in Hebrew poetic form that express the full range of human emotion and experience in relationship with God.

Purpose

To teach us how to relate to God honestly, express our deepest feelings, and find comfort and guidance through life's experiences.

Significance

These books show us that God welcomes our honest emotions and experiences. They teach us how to worship, pray, grieve, and find hope in all circumstances of life.