UNDERSTANDING JOB | VITAL STATISTICS

0. Introduction

a) The Bible Book Introductions are divided into 4 parts (Overview, Vital Statistics, Blueprint, Mega-themes) for easy-to-understand.

1. Vital Statistics

@1. Purpose:

a) To demonstrate God's sovereignty and the meaning of true faith. It addresses the question, "Why do the righteous suffer?"

@2. Author:

a) Unknown, possibly Job. Some have suggested Moses, Solomon, or Elihu. 

@3. Date Written:

a) Unknown. Records events that probably occurred during the time of the patriarchs, approximately 2000-1800 B.C.

@4. Setting:

a) The land of Uz, probably located northeast of Palestine, near wilderness land between Damascus and the Euphrates River. 

@5. Key Verse:

a)  ³ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.” (Job 2:3 NKJV)

@6. Key People:

a) Job, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zoper the Naamathite, Elihu the Buzite. 

@7. Special Features:

a) Job is the first of the poetic books in the Hebrew Bible. Some believe this was the first book of the Bible to be written. The book gives us insights into the work of Satan. Ezekiel 14:14, 20 and James 5:11 mention Job as a historical character.