The Book of Job
A righteous man's suffering raises deep questions that God answers with himself.
- Author
- Unknown
- Date
- Uncertain; set in the patriarchal period
- Chapters
- 42
- Genre
- Poetry & Wisdom
Summary
Job is a blameless man who loses his wealth, his children and his health. Three friends come to comfort him but insist that his suffering must be punishment for sin, while Job protests his innocence and longs to put his case before God.
Finally God speaks from the storm, showing Job the wonders of creation and the limits of human understanding. Job responds in humility and worship, and God restores his fortunes. The book honestly wrestles with suffering while affirming that God is wise, sovereign and good.
Outline
- Chapters 1–2 — Job's testing
- Chapters 3–37 — Job's dialogues with his friends
- Chapters 38–42 — God answers and Job is restored
Key Themes
Key Verses
and said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart.The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
Start reading Job“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted.