A Biblical Study on Job and the Theme of Suffering
What can we learn from the book of Job for life today?
1. How does Job fit into the Bible, and how should we study it?
2. The beginning- a life turned upside down
3. Friends or enemies? Job’s ‘comforters’
a. Eliphaz the ‘spiritual’
b. Bildad the ‘traditionalist’
c. Zophar the ‘intellectual’
4. Job’s last stand!
5. Interlude- the sudden appearance of an ‘angry young man’ Elihu
6. God answers (at last!) out of the storm and Job responds
7. Epilogue- discussion of case studies
Conducted by Jane Senior in our church, Wed night from 8-10pm.
Classes shall be held on 7/7, 14/7, 21/7, 28/7, 4/8, 11/8, 18/8 and 1/9.
Those interested to attend, please register with David Low (012-7741345)
Jane Senior has an B. A. (Hons.) Politics and Modern History, Diploma in Mission and Theology. Jane is currently teaching English language in MBS. Jane, together with her husband Rog, joined OMF International in 1983 and spent over 16 years in Korea. Jane was involved in discipleship and also taught Bible at the Chong Shin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Seoul. From 2001 to 2009 they worked in Mongolia at the Union Bible Theological College, with Rog concentrating on teaching Bible related subjects, and Jane church history and English language.
Detailed Course Content
Malaysia Bible Seminary
Course Title: A Biblical study of Job and the theme of suffering
Lecturer: Mrs. Jane Senior
1. How does Job fit into the Bible, and how should we study it? General introduction to wisdom literature; Job as a response to Proverbs, and Deuteronomic/Retribution Theology. Introduction to the book of Job, its structure, and background information.
2. The beginning- a life turned upside down.
We start the book of Job with a detailed study of the Prologue – Chapters 1&2, and Job’s first ‘lament’ Chapter 3. A desperate cry for help! He wishes he had never been born.
3. Friends or enemies? Job’s ‘comforters’ (i) Eliphaz the ‘spiritual’ ; a summary of his speeches and Job’s response to them ¬– Chapters 4:1–5:27; 6:1–7:21; 15:1–35; 16:1–17:16; 22:1–30; 23:1–24:25. Eliphaz begins in a kind way, but loses patience with Job. Job feels more and more isolated by his situation and the treatment he receives. How do you rate Eliphaz as a friend?
4. (ii) Bildad the ‘traditionalist’ ; Chapter 8:1-22; 9:1- 10:22; 18:1-21; 19:1-29; 25:1-6; 26:1-14; (iii) Zophar the ‘intellectual’ ; Chapter 11:1-20; 12:1-14:22; 20:1-29; 21:1-34. A summary of these men’s speeches and Job’s replies to them. The arguments get more intense as they develop.
5. Job’s last stand! Just as in a court of law, this is a summary for the defence! Job sums up his life and appeals to God. This section also includes an interesting diversion: the poem on Wisdom. Chapter 27:1–31:40
6. Interlude- the sudden appearance of an ‘angry young man’ Elihu. At first he seems to add little to the book, but he acts as a bridge between what has gone before and hints at the Lord’s appearance in the next chapters. Chapter 32:1–37:24. The tension builds up….
7. God answers (at last!) out of the storm in a most unexpected way. Job responds. Chapters 38–42:6
8. Epilogue – Chapter 42:7–17. A happy ending! Restoration, for Job and also forgiveness for his friends.
The study on the epilogue will be followed by a discussion of case studies.
Reading and Assignments
1. (a) It will be helpful if everyone could read the relevant Bible passages in preparation for each lesson. They are listed under the main titles of each session in the outline.
(b) There are a number of useful commentaries you can refer to, and the most accessible ones are marked * in the bibliography.
(c) Two useful and readable books on the wider subject of suffering are ‘Philip Yancey, Where is God When it Hurts? (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1977)’ and ‘CS Lewis, A Grief Observed (New York: Bantam Books, 1961)’. Others are listed in the bibliography. It will be good to read at least one of these if you have time.
2. For those wanting credits, there is one written assignment:
Approximately 2,500 words. Choose one of Job’s friends, and write a critique explaining why their words did not help Job, and why God told them that they ‘have not spoken of me what is right as my servant Job has’. What are some of the things we should do/should not do, if we are helping someone who is suffering?
Bibliography:
* Anderson, Francis I. (1976) Job Tyndale OT Commentary (Leicester: IVP)
* Ash, Christopher. (2004) Out of the Storm: Grappling with God in the book of Job (Nottingham: Inter-Varsity Press)
* Atkinson, David. (1991) The Message of Job The Bible Speaks Today (Leicester: IVP)
Barton, J. (1984) Reading the Old Testament (Louisville: John Knox Press)
Clements, R E Wisdom in Theology (Carlisle: Paternoster, 1992)
Clines, David JA (1989) Job 1-20; 21-42 Word Biblical Commentary 17&18 (Dallas: Word)
Constable, Dr Thomas J.(2010) Notes on Job (Dallas Theological Seminary, Internet)
Crenshaw, J. (1981) Old Testament Wisdom- An Introduction (John Knox Press)
** Davies, Tim and Sarah Cox (2003) Why Should it Happen to Me? Four Sermons on the Book of Job (Christchurch Fulwood, Sheffield)
Eaton, JH. (1985) Job (Sheffield: JSOT)
Guiterrez, Gustavo. (1987) On Job: God-Talk and the Suffering of the Innocent Translated by MJ O’Connell (Marynoll: Orbis)
Hartley, J. (1988) The Book of Job New International Commentary on the Old Testament (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans)
* Kidner, D. (1985) The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes (Downers Grove: IVP)
* Loke, Anthony Yin Fai. (2006) Job Made Simple (SUFES Malaysia)