The book of Job

At a glance

Chapters

42

Author

Anonymous

Written

Uncertain; the poetry is very old, the final form perhaps sixth century BC

Written for

Anyone who has been told their suffering has a reason

Themes

suffering, argument, silence, creation

What it is about

The frame is short: a righteous man loses everything in two chapters. Then the book slows almost to a stop for thirty-five chapters of speeches, as three friends explain that suffering is punishment and Job must have done something, and Job refuses to agree.

The friends say things that sound orthodox and are wrong. Job says things that sound close to blasphemy and is later told he spoke rightly. That reversal is the single most important thing in the book and the most commonly missed.

When God finally answers, out of a whirlwind, no explanation is given. Instead there are four chapters of questions about wild goats, ostriches, the sea and two enormous animals. Job's response is not that he now understands but that he has stopped needing to.

Where to start

Chapter 3, Job's opening lament, and then jump to chapter 38 for the answer. The middle speeches are worth reading eventually and they defeat most first attempts.

The chapters worth knowing

• Job 3 — Job's opening lament, cursing the day he was born, which sets the tone for thirty-five chapters.
• Job 19 — I know that my Redeemer lives, said in the middle of the bleakest stretch of the book.
• Job 38 — The answer from the whirlwind, which is four chapters of questions and no explanation.

What people get wrong about it

That Job is about patience. He is not patient; he is furious, articulate and relentless for thirty-five chapters, and the book's verdict is that this was the right response.

From this book

• Bible verses about griefTen passages from the World English Bible for loss and mourning, with a note on each — including the two that are usually quoted to end a conversation rather than sit in one.

Questions