Job 1-3
Dear RTB’ers,
Today we begin the book of Job. I recall reading that Job (the book) is the oldest written text in all of Scripture. The STS and my Study Bible introductions did not mention that, but I recall reading it somewhere in times past.
Today we have two chapters of prose and one of poetry, all of it fairly easily understood. Typically I am not a good reader of or commenter on poetry. John sends along his “See also…” comments every day; I am confident that his 2022 comments on Job will be more fruitful than whatever I have to say! So I encourage you to read his comments every day, but especially so while we are reading the book of Job.
Job is wealthy, seen by God as “blameless and upright” (v. 1:8). Satan claims that Job is good only because he has been blessed in his wealth and that Job has been protected by God from difficulties. So God lets Satan test Job and Job loses his property and his children. Job remains faithful: In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (v. 1:22) Then Satan askes to torment Job further. So Satan affects Job physically. He … struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. (v. 2:7b) Still Job does not curse God, in spite of his wife’s encouragement to do so. Finally, three friends arrive to console Job, sitting silently and waiting to speak. In Job’s first words (chapter 3) he regrets that he was born, but then, acknowledging that his birth happened, wishes further that he had been stillborn and would be at rest with kings and counselors and infants and (even!) prisoners – the small and the great (v. 3:19). Job is not a happy man!
Blessings!
See also: