OUTLINE OF THE BOOK OF JOB
Introduction:
Job is in form a dramatic poem. It is probably the oldest of the Bible books, and was certainly written before the giving of the law. It would have been impossible, in a discussion covering the whole field of sin, of the providential government of God, and man’s relation to Him, to avoid all reference to the law if the law had then been known. Job was a veritable personage (Ezekiel 14.20; James 5.11), and the events are historical. The book sheds a remarkable light on the philosophic breadth and intellectual culture of the patriarchal age. The problem is, why do the godly suffer? — Scofield.
Author: Unknown
Date Subject of much discussion. Regarded by many scholars as the oldest book in the Bible; others place it as late as the exile.
Place: The Land of Uz. It appears to have been a region in Arabia Deserta, between Palestine, Idumaea, and the Euphrates, and most probably not far from the borders of Idumaea.
Main Subject: The Problem of Job’s affliction. The book is poetical and pictorial in its descriptions. It may be divided into twelve scenes:
1) Job and his family before affliction overtook them. Job appears as a godly father, unspoiled by prosperity, ministering as a priest to his large household, Job 1:5, “And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.”
2) Satan enters the divine presence.
a. He insinuates that Job serves God because of special favors, Job 1:9-11.
b. Satan is permitted to test Job by inflicting the loss of property and children- Job 1:12-20.
c. Job retains his integrity, Job 1:21-22.
3) Satan enters the divine presence the second time, Job 2:1-3.
a. Saying, if Job’s own body were afflicted, he would curse God, Job 2:4-5.
b. Satan is permitted to smite Job with a horrible disease, Job 2:7-8.
c. The blasphemous advice of his wife, and the triumphant submission of Job, Job 2:9-10.
4) The arrival of Job’s three friends, and the seven days of silent sympathy, Job 2:11-13.
5) Job’s patience being exhausted, he utters his complaint, Job 3.
6) The long and fruitless discussions between Job and his three friends concerning his afflictions, Job 4:1–31:40
a. His friends maintain that suffering is the result of personal sin.
b. Job defends himself and asserts his innocence.
7) Elihu enters into the discussion, Job 32:1–37:24.
8) The Lord answers Job out of the whirlwind, Job 38:1–39:30.
a. Words of enlightenment.
b. Words of reproof.
9) Job’s confession, Job 40:3-5.
10) The Lord speaks the second time, Job 40:7-41:34.
11) Job’s second confession, Job 42:1-6.
a. The Lord’s rebuke of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar for their foolish words, Job 42:7-9
b. The Lord commanded for them to offer sacrifices.
12) Job prays for his friends, Job 42:10-17
a. His own prosperity is restored.
b. He lives to a great age.