Job : Christian Community Bible

Introduction to Job

The Book of Job heads the Wisdom books of the Bible. It is more than a story: the great questions of the human condition are deeply pondered upon.

Job’s misfortunes

After being enriched and fulfilled all his life, Job is reduced to utter misery – a pretext to have us reflect on this reality: human life on this earth is not satisfying. Suffering and death would not be so scandalous if it were not for the absence of God in our world. We cannot meet God, and this is the cause of our uneasiness.

It is not by chance that Job is introduced as a rich man of Uz, a land that is foreign to God’s people. Job is not supposed to know either Moses or the prophets; he will speak in the name of all humanity and not only for believers. It is enough for Job to contemplate nature to believe in God and in his Providence, but he has not seen him, and God has never addressed his word to him. Yet Job feels himself to be the work of God. He realizes that only a dialogue with his Creator will enable him to situate himself in his place. Even though he looks for an opening, he does not find it.

The Book of Job

The starting point of this book is a popular tale found in the first and last pages (1:1—2:13 and 42:10-17), the story of the holy man Job. Yahweh tested him by taking everything away from him.

Job shouts his indignation over the human condition and his three friends confront him with the answers of the wise people of the day.

In spite of this Job remained steadfast, trusting God who always rewards the just. In the end, God gave everything back to him.

NOTE: excerpted from the introductory material for this book.