ETOT Ch. 20

How does Job contribute to an understanding of retribution theology? How does the book answer the problem of theodicy?

Doctrine retribution is a general moral principle of God's administration of justice, not a hard and fast rule to be applied to every individual case. But God eliminated their understanding and application of retribution theology. Job provided the biblical answer to theodicy. God is able to work all things, even evil things, together for good. And those who are faithful to him to the end will benefit from the evil they must suffer.

How does Elihu characterize Job's problem? To what does he attribute God's silence? What does he see as the key to alleviating Job's suffering?

Elihu contended that God used suffering and chastisement to correct humankind. If God was silent, it was because he recognized insincerity in Job's request. He sees repentance as the key to alleviating Job's suffering.

Describe the point of view of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. Where did they place the blame for Job's suffering? What was Job's response?

Eliphaz emphasized God's justice and purity, and taught that people (including Job) bring trouble on themselves. Bildad typically appealed to tradition and considered himself a defender of orthodox doctrine. He explained that an individual who pursues wickedness (like Job) should not be surprised by divine punishment. Zophar considered himself a rationalist, and reasoned that Job's punishment was no less than what should reasonably be expected.

How does the Lord rebuke Job in 38:1-42:6? What is Job's response?

He begins by rebuking Job for speaking in ignorance and reminding him of his morality. Then he challenged Job to answer a series of questions centering on the awesome strength and power of God as the creator of the universe. What did Job know and understand of such things as the founding of the earth, the confining of the sea, the courses of the constellations, and more? The Lord challenges Job to answer but he was speechless. He simply acknowledged his inadequacy and agreed to keep silent before God. Then the Lord challenged Job to compare his own strength with that of God's. Job immediately acknowledged God's omnipotence & his own ignorance.

What biblical books do modern scholars designate as "wisdom literature"? Differentiate between Mesopotamian discoursive literature and Israelite wisdom literature. How did the Israelites interact with the literature and worldview of their ancient Near Eastern neighbors? What is the OT foundation of wisdom? What topic is explored in wisdom literature?

Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes are classified as wisdom literature along with sections in other OT books (like psalms). Mesopotamian Discoursive Material contained extended speeches, about the problem of justice in the world. The discourses may be soliloquies, dialogues w/ the deity, or the speeches of many participants. The Mesopotamian authors had no word for wisdom that included the high morality and piety of Israelite wisdom literature. For this reason, the expression "wisdom literature" is not appropriate for Mesopotamian discoursive material. ---The ancient Israelites interacted with the literature and worldview of their Near Eastern neighbors. They were comfortable incorporating material from other cultures, as long as it eliminated polytheistic elements. Wisdom literature provides a wonderful example of cross-cultural communication of faith. --- the OT foundation of wisdom is the fear of the Lord expressed in genuine faith. --- wisdom literature touches on all issues that explore the meaning of life through thoroughly monotheistic perspective.

How does God respond to Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar? What is the final outcome for Job?

The Lord reprimanded Job's friends for not speaking rightly on his behalf. He then restored the fortunes of Job to the extent that Job's latter days were better than his former days. Thus, Job's faithfulness was vindicated and God's was illustrated.

What is known about the writing of Job and the geographical setting of the book?

The origins of Job are shrouded in mystery. The author is anonymous. Nor does the book indicate precisely where or when the events it describes took place. Job's home in the land of Uz was probably between Edom and Northern Arabia and his friends came from the vicinity of Edom. Many assumed a pre-mosaic origin for the book.

What are the difficult life questions addressed in Job? What aspects of God's character are challenged by the presence of evil in the world?

The speakers deal with undeserved suffering and the problem of theodicy. Theodicy is the attempt to justify God's ways in the world. If God is both all-powerful and all-loving, as the bible everywhere claims, how can evil exist in the world? How can the wicked prosper if God is just? Why do good people suffer, and how could God let it happen?

What is the central message of the book?

Wisdom belongs to God and faith in Him will be vindicated.