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Topic:
The Book Of Job -- A Brief Overview
A great diversity of opinion exists as to the authorship of the book
of Job. From internal evidence, such as the similarity of sentiment and
language to those in the Psalms and Proverbs (see Ps. 88 and 89), the
prevalence of the idea of "wisdom," and the style and
character of the composition, it is supposed by some to have been
written in the time of David and Solomon. Others argue that it was
written by Job himself, or by Elihu, or Isaiah, or perhaps more probably
by Moses, who was "learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and
mighty in words and deeds" (Acts 7:22). He had opportunities in
Midian for obtaining the knowledge of the facts related. But the
authorship is altogether uncertain. As to the character of the book, it
is a historical poem, one of the greatest and sublimest poems in all
literature. Job was a historical person, and the localities and names
were real and not fictious. It is "one of the grandest portions of
the inspired Scriptures, a heavenly-repleished storehouse of comfort and
instruction, the patriarchal Bible, and a precious monument of primitive
theology. It is to the Old Testament what the Epistle to the Romans is
to the New." It is a didactic narrative in a dramatic form. This
book was apparently well known in the days of Ezekiel, B.C. 600 (Ezek.
14:14). It formed a part of the sacred Scriptures used by our Lord and
his apostles, and is referred to as a part of the inspired Word (Heb.
12:5; 1 Cor. 3:19). The subject of the book is the trial of Job, its
occasion, nature, endurance, and issue. It exhibits the harmony of the
truths of revelation and the dealings of Providence, which are seen to
be at once inscrutable, just, and merciful. It shows the blessedness of
the truly pious, even amid sore afflictions, and thus ministers comfort
and hope to tried believers of every age. It is a book of manifold
instruction, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, and for instruction in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16). It
consists of,
(1.) An historical introduction in prose (ch. 1,2).
(2.) The controversy and its solution, in poetry (ch. 3-42:6). Job's
desponding lamentation (ch. 3) is the occasion of the controversy which
is carried on in three courses of dialogues between Job and his three
friends. The first course gives the commencement of the controversy (ch.
4-14); the second the growth of the controversy (15-21); and the third
the height of the controversy (22-27). This is followed by the solution
of the controversy in the speeches of Elihu and the address of Jehovah,
followed by Job's humble confession (42:1-6) of his own fault and folly.
(3.) The third division is the historical conclusion, in prose
(42:7-15). Sir J. W. Dawson in "The Expositor" says: "It
would now seem that the language and theology of the book of Job can be
better explained by supposing it to be a portion of Minean [Southern
Arabia] literature obtained by Moses in Midian than in any other way.
This view also agrees better than any other with its references to
natural objects, the art of mining, and other matters."
From: Easton's Bible Dictionary. Fair Use. Presented for educational
purposes only.
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These words were posted at one of Shepherd's Care
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