It is Job in all texts. The word Job may be derived from an Aramaic word meaning “to repent” or “one who comes back”. The name may be derived from the Hebrew word meaning “to hate” or to be “at enmity”. It could be that Job means “an object of enmity”.

In all likelihood the book was not written until around the time of Solomon. This is because wisdom literature seems to have come to the fore during the time of Solomon. According to the Talmud the author was Moses, however we cannot be sure. The book of Job itself does not say.

The testing of the righteous men and women through suffering. Job was a righteous man. See Job 1:1-5.

There are two major divisions:

• Prologue – Chapters 1-2. It is not poetry but prose used in these chapters.
• Drama – Chapters 3 – 42. This is all poetry.

1. The lamentation of Job – Chapter 3. 2.
2. The discussion with his friends – Chapters 4 – 31. One friend speaks and Job answers each in turn. There is three friends. They are Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Job answers three cycles of discussions with his friends. (First cycle – Chapters 4 – 14, Second cycle – Chapters 15 – 21 and Third cycle – Chapters 22 – 31).
3. The intervention of Elihu – Chapters 32 – 37. He speaks to the three friends and then he speaks to Job. This is then repeated. Elihu is apparently preparing the way for God to speak.
4. The revelation of God – Chapters 38 – 42:6. God demonstrates in His speech, His power in creation – Chapters 38-39. Job confesses his waywardness and his wrongness in accusing God – Chapter 40:1-5. God speaks of His wisdom in the government of the Universe – Chapters 40:6-41. Job does not find out why he suffered but he does find God. This is all that really matters – Chapter 42:1-6.

• The activity of Satan – The name used for Satan in Job means “the accuser”. This is exactly what Job is doing, he is accusing Job. In the New Testament Satan is called “the accuser of the brethren”. Satan in Job is attacking the integrity of God. Notice that although Satan has great power, he still needs the permission of God before he can harm Job. This is because Job was a believer. Satan even had the power to take Job’s life. The disease that Job had seems to have been elephantiasis.
• The problem of suffering – Why does God allow this if He is all loving?

1. In the Bible we are not given a complete answer to the problem of evil and pain.
2. Evil exists in the world today as a result of the rebellion of men against God. This in turn brings pain and suffering.
3. If God was to wipe out all evil, then where would you be? You would be wiped out as well.
4. Suffering can be traced to several sources. The nature of the world in which we live. The retribution of God. The chastening of God to make us morally better. See Hebrews 12:5-11. The wisdom of God to develop our Christian lives. To develop faith in the believer. See 1 Peter 1:6-7. To develop perseverance in the believer. See James 1:12.
5. God has dealt with sin by sending His Son.