The Book of Job

Mike Johnson

The book of Job is a very important and useful book.  It is included in a category of books known as “poetry.”  The book deals with the problem of pain and suffering.

The book of Job shows us some very important facts about God, Satan, and the problem of pain.  The fact that God inspired it to be written shows that He cares for His children.  The book actually serves several purposes.  It helps us to see who God is, and shows us the kind of trust that God wants His children to have.  It also reveals God’s favor towards His children, and His absolute control over Satan.  Finally, the book answers man’s questions about why a righteous person may suffer, while an evil man enjoys health and prosperity.

The book is named for its main character whose name is Job.  Job was not a fictitious character but a real person. He is called “upright” and was referred to as “one who feared God.” Nevertheless, he had to go through a difficult time of pain and suffering even thinking that God had turned His back on him.

The human author of the book is unknown.  Many think that Solomon wrote the book or that at least someone contemporary with him Solomon did.  If so, the book was probably written around 950 B.C.  Job probably lived during the general time of Abraham.  Some have suggested that he lived between the events of the tower of Babel and the birth of Abraham.

We can learn much from the book of Job.  It helps us to learn to know God better and shows us the kind of faith that God wants us to have when tried or tested.