In my annual trek through the Bible, this week finds me in the book of Job. Every encounter with this book comes with questions, new and old. Why do the godly suffer?
Why does God allow Satan access to Job, even challenge him with Job’s steadfastness and integrity? Why don’t the three friends convince Job of his guilt, and why are they unconvinced of his innocence? And why does Elihu suddenly appear when we’ve heard nothing at all about him for thirty-one chapters?
Countless gallons of ink have flowed and many gigabytes used in answering these and similar questions. So, while we don’t hope to put those questions to rest here, it’s worth considering why this book is in our Bible as part of the “Writings,” the third and final section of the Jewish Bible.
Bear in mind that this is likely the oldest of all Bible books, predating the Law by centuries. It always is first in our “chronological Bibles.” Job himself may have been a contemporary of Abraham, or even had lived many years before him. There is nothing here about priests and the Law of Moses, and in fact, Job himself serves as a priest and intercessor for his children and later, his friends. He even builds altars in the manner of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
Let me suggest that Job is in our Bible as the oldest book, in order to. . .
1. Get us used to the idea that God and Satan have had a long-running battle on planet earth.
2. Remind us that God is sovereign, and while Satan certainly has power, he is “on a leash.”
3. Help us not be surprised when the “very goods” of the Garden of Eden are interrupted by the presence of an evil serpent, who not only can talk, but who refutes God’s Word and questions His integrity.
4. Give us a peek behind the curtain as to what life is all about: not our comfort, but God’s will.
5. Assure us that when we do suffer, we need not think of it as punishment from God, but an opportunity to know Him better, more fully, and more accurately as a personal God of love.
No doubt there are many more, but these help us see why James comforts his troubled readers with lessons gleaned from this book of wisdom:
“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers,
take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
Behold, we consider those blessed who remain steadfast.
You have heard of the steadfastness of Job,
and you have seen the purpose of the Lord,
how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”
James 5:10, 11