The Book of Job in the Old Testament is most likely the oldest of all the books. It’s supposed to even pre-date Genesis. I like what Lindsay says, “The book of Job is one of the most fascinating books in the Bible. It is a masterpiece in literature that has intrigued readers throughout the generations of time. Though the book is ancient and is considered to be the oldest book in the Bible, its insights are remarkably relevant to today.”[1] The storyline of Job is simple. Job, a blameless worshiper of God, experiences a series of devastating tragedies. Three friends come to comfort him but end up arguing that since God is good, Job must have done something terrible to deserve his intense suffering. Job refutes them and, in the process, points to injustices God permits in His world. A young observer suggests that God may have other purposes in suffering than to punish. Then God Himself speaks to Job. The Lord gives no reason for what has happened to Job, but Job realizes he must submit to God rather than question Him. Job is restored. His three pious friends, who have so forcefully held to their “retribution theology” as the only explanation for suffering, are rebuked by the Lord. Job goes on to live a long and blessed life. Job is part of the biblical literature we call “The Wisdom Literature.” Like Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, Job gives us insights to manage our lives in this world.
Most scholars agree that the book was written before 2000 BC. Courson says, “This would make it not only the oldest book in the Bible but one of the oldest books in human history. I find this intriguing because one of the oldest books in the Bible, one of the oldest books in human history, deals with the question we still ask to this day: Why do bad things happen to good people?”[2] The Book introduces us to Satan, the adversary, in the first chapter and details his desperate attempts to get Job to curse God. Even though Job is vindicated in the book, God never explains Himself to Job. He just calls for faith.
That’s the way it is! God doesn’t always explain himself. Life doesn’t always make sense, and God doesn’t give us the answers for all the suffering in the world. He doesn’t give us the answers to why the wicked prosper in our world, either. Like Job, we must realize that it is our duty to simply submit to God’s plan and program for our lives without questioning Him. This is what faith is: Trusting God in all the confusing, painful, and threatening situations of life. No matter what happens today, this week, this month, or this year, we must never forget that God always has our best interest foremost in mind, and His good plan and purpose for our lives will find complete fulfillment in the end.
[1] Lindsay, Dennis Gordon. 1998. Harmony of Science and Scripture. Creation Science Series. Dallas: Christ for the Nations.
[2] Courson, Jon. 2005. Jon Courson’s Application Commentary: Volume One: Genesis–Job. Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson.