1 Thessalonians 5:18; Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. James 1:2; Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials. HISTORICAL CONTEXT Job is one long Hebrew poem Author- Largely unknown Theme- Human Suffering Job lived in the “patriarchal” age. The Book of Job could be the oldest book in the Bible. There are 330 questions in the Book of Job. The name “Job” means hated or persecuted. It’s possible Job was not his real name but rather a nickname given to him because of what he went through. KEY PEOPLE Job, Eliphaz, Zophar, and Bildad (Job’s three “friends”), Elihu, God KEY EVENTS Trials and Suffering (chapters 1-2) 5 waves of disaster: Wave #1: Sabean raid that took all of Job’s oxen, donkeys, and all of his farmhands were killed. Wave #2: Fire burned up all of his sheep and shepherds. Wave #3: Chaldeans raid and steal his camels and kill his servants. Wave #4: A massive windstorm kills all 10 of Job’s children. Wave #5: Job loses his health. Satan Satan is not in hell We live in two realities Satan is subject to and limited by God Mood Swings and Mental Agony (chapters 3-37) Advice from Job’s “friends” Eliphaz tells Job that he’s a sinner and that God is punishing him. Bildad calls Job a hypocrite and tells him that his children died because they were sinners. Zophar tells Job to repent and to turn from his wicked ways. SOVEREIGNTY What is hidden from us is not hidden from God. Restoration and Victory (chapters 38-42) God speaks: “If you can’t fully understand what you CAN see, how do you think you could ever understand what you CANNOT see?” God restores Job: Job receives twice as many sheep, camels, oxen, and donkeys and God blesses Job with 10 more children. MOOD SWINGS WISDOM Focus on what you know about God (His unconditional love, His grace, His mercy). Don’t focus on what you don’t understand. Don’t mistake God’s silence for God’s absence. Remember, we are accountable for what we say. Be careful to speak on “behalf of God” concerning things you don’t understand. Tread very lightly around those who are grieving. Tools and resources available at thisismybible.io | Follow us on Instagram and Facebook @thisismybibleio