18) The Book of Job

JOB is the first book in a series of wisdom books (Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Lamentations). It is the oldest book of the Bible and it was written close to the flood of Noah's day (21:11-14; 22:14-17). The purpose of the book reveals the absolute power God has over Satan (41:1-5). God used Job to challenge Satan and Satan lost both contests. Jobs strength came from the words of God even though he had no written revelation of the words of God (Num. 12:6; Job 23:10-12). The conversation between Job and his three friends reveals some truths of the Great Tribulation, the sufferings of Jesus Christ (19:1-21), and the sufferings of a sinner in hell (18:11-21), but Job received no comfort. Elihu gave his opinion of the frailty of man and the power of God (36:22), but God ceased all conversations with an infallible display of His power and His demand for man's worship.

Doctrinally, Job pictures Jewish saints of the Tribulation in the land of Uz (Lam. 4:21-22), who will be persecuted directly by Satan (Rev. 12:13-17). The book contains 42 chapters, equaling the 42 months of the Great Tribulation (Rev. 11:1-2). The three friends picture the persecutors of the Jews during the trials of their faith. Job's captivity pictures the captivity of the Jews (42:10; Ps. 126). Job was patient with God, his wife, his friends, and time. The true patience of Job gives comfort for the sufferings of others (2 Cor. 1:3-7; James 5:10-11).

Spiritually, the book gives wisdom regarding the sufferings of man. It also reveals that self-righteousness is fatal (27:6; 29:14; 32:1; Rom. 10:1-4). Much scientific information about the creation can be gleaned from the LORD'S answer in Job 38-42. It appears that Elihu was the author of the 1,070 verses of the book (31:35; 32:15-18; 34:34-37). The major events of the book could all have taken place within a month.

King James Bible.