Aquainting the Students with the Course And

JOB

Miami International Seminary

Rev. Donald F. Ritsman, Th.M.

Aquainting the Students with the Course and

What will be Expected of Them

A. Syllabus

COURSE DESCRIPTION

This course is designed as an expository study of the Book of Job, taking the student through this entire Old Testament book with cross-references to other portions of Scripture. This course is composed of eight lessons.

A Note on Hebrew and Greek Fonts:

At certain points in the lessons Hebrew or Greek words are incorporated into the text. In order to retrieve these words it is necessary to download Teknia Hebrew and Teknia Greek. The student may contact MINTS for free downloads of these fonts by clicking Biblical Language Fonts.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES

Goals

1. The student will gain a greater comprehension of the biblical teaching contained in the Book of Job.
2. The student will come to greater appreciation for the message that God communicates to us in the Book of Job.
3. The student will apply the teaching gained from the Book of Job to his own life for spiritual development.

Objectives

1. By means of the questions following the lessons, the student will identify the key teachings found in the Book of Job.
2. By means of the reading assignments, the student will gain a greater appreciation for the teaching of the Book of Job.
3. By means of the written essay, the student will express how the teaching of Job has a practical impact on his life and the life of the church.

CREDIT

This course may be taken for credit towards either a Bachelor or Masters degree. The assignments will vary according to each program as explained below.

DESCRIPTION OF ASSIGNMENTS

For credit toward a Bachelors Degree

1. Studying the Scripture text and the accompanying commentary:

The student will study a portion of the Book of Job, guided by an expositional commentary on the text. The student will then be required to answer questions based on his study of the expository notes.

2. Extra reading:

The student will read an additional 300 pages, which he can choose from the list of suggested resources found below in the section entitled, "B. Reading Resources." He will write a report on each book or article, using the form, Guidelines for Writing a Book Report, provided by the facilitator.

3. Essay*:

Concentrating primarily on the opening chapters of Job and the account of the events surrounding Christ’s baptism (as they are recorded in Matthew 3:13-4:11), the student will write an 8-10 page essay comparing and contrasting Job’s experience with that of the Lord Jesus Christ.

*See “Guidelines for Writing an Essay," to be distributed by the facilitator.

For credit toward a Masters Degree

1. Studying the Scripture text and the accompanying commentary:

2. Extra reading:

The student will read an additional 600 pages, which he can choose from the list of suggested resources found below in the section entitled, "B. Reading Resources." He will write a report on each book or article, using the form, Guidelines for Writing a Book Report, provided by the facilitator.

3.Essay*:

Having consulted six or more commentaries or other resources, the student will write a 15-20 page essay in which he discusses each commentator’s view concerning the person and role of Elihu and his speeches in the Book of Job; the student will then present his own view of Elihu.

*See “Guidelines for Writing an Essay," to be distributed by the facilitator.

WITHOUT CREDIT

The student will study a portion of the Book of Job, guided by an expositional commentary on the text. The student may answer the questions that follow each lesson and take the final exam (to be administered by the facilitator) based on his study of the expository notes.

FINAL GRADE

For Bachelors or Masters credit:

If the student is taking the course for credit, we recommend the following percentages for the final grade. However, the MINTS center or institution that is giving credit for this course may modify these requirements.

60% Quizzes ("Evaluating Your Comprehension") and Final Exam

10% Report on additional reading

30% Essay

100% Total

Without credit:

The final grade for taking this course without credit will be calculated in the following manner:

80% Quizzes ("Evaluating Your Comprehension")

20% Final exam

100% Total

B. Reading Resources

INTERNET RESOURCES

The Book of Job (Wikipedia)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Job

The Book of Job (Mark A. Copeland)

http://www.ccel.org/contrib//exec_outlines/job.htm

Book of Job

http://mb-soft.com/believe/txs/job.htm

Introduction to the Book of Job (G.K. Chesterton)

http://chesterton.org/gkc/theologian/job.htm

An Introduction to the Book of Job (David Malick)

http://bible.org/article/introduction-book-job

The Book of Job (A.R. Faussett)

http://biblestudy.churches.net/CCEL/J/JFB/JFB/JFB18.HTM

The Book of Job (Dennis Brachter)

http://www.cresourcei.org/books/job.html

Book of Job (GotQuestions.org)

http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-Job.html

How Should I Read the Book of Job? (John Piper)

http://www.desiringgod.org/ResourceLibrary/AskPastorJohn/ByTopic/101/2804_How_should_I_read_the_book_of_Job/

Job (John Werley)

http://bible.christiansunite.com/wes/wes18.shtml

Job (Old Testament Gateway)

http://www.otgateway.com/job.htm

The Book of Job (Charles H. Welch)

http://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=yfp-t-701-s&toggle=1&cop=mss&ei=UTF8&rd=r2&p=understanding%20the%20book%20of%20job

BOOKS

Alden, Robert L.; “Job,” New American Commentary; Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994.

Andersen, Francis I.; “Job,” Tyndale Old Testament Commentary; Downers Grove IL, 1981.

Archer, Gleason L. Jr.; A Survey of Old Testament Introduction; Moody Press, Chicago, 1964, (Sixth Printing, 1970.)

Atkinson, David; “Job,” Bible Speaks Today; InterVarsity Press, Downers Grove IL, 1991.

Clines, David J.A.; “Job, Vols 1-3” Word Biblical Commentary; Thomas Nelson Publishing Co.; Nashville TN, 1989 2009.

Delitzsch, Franz; “Biblical Commentary on the Book of Job Vol. 1,” Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI, Sixth Printing, May 1970.

Dillard, Raymond and Tremper Longman III; An Introduction to the Old Testament; Zondervan Publishing House, Grand Rapids MI, 1994.

Habel, Norman C.; “Job,” Old Testament Library; Westminster John Knox, Louisville KY, 1985.

Harrison, R.K.; Introduction to the Old Testament; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI, 1969 (Fifth printing, November 1975.)

Hartley, John E.; “The Book of Job,” The New International Commentary on the Old Testament; Wm. B.Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI, 1988.

Heavenor, E.S.P.; “Job,” The New Bible Commentary, Edited by Prof. F. Davidson; The Inter-Varsity Fellowship, London, Reprinted October 1967.

Konkel, August H.; “Job, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs,” Cornerstone Bible Commentary; Tyndale Press, 2006.

Schultz, Carl; “Job,” Evangelical Commentary on the Bible, Edited by Walter A. Elwell; Baker Book House, Grand Rapids MI, 1989.

Smick, Elmer B.; “Job,” Expositor’s Bible Commentary; Zondervan Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI, 1988.

Young, Edward J.; An Introduction to the Old Testament; Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., Grand Rapids MI, 1949 (Fourth printing, June 1969.)

Wharton, James A.; “Job,” Westminster Bible Companion; Westminster John Knox, Louisville KY,1999.

Note: The student may also consult the Ligonier Ministry website (http://www.bestcommentaries.com/reviewer/ligonier-ministries-keith-mathison/) for a listing of useful commentaries on the Book of Job.

WELCOME TO THE COURSE ON

THE BOOK OF JOB

Lesson One: Introduction to Job

Assignments:

1. The student will read the article entitled, "Background Information on the Book of Job," and be prepared to answer the questions that appear at the conclusion of the article.

2. Extra Reading: For Bachelor's credit, the student should do at least 100 pages of additional reading (see "B. Reading Resources" listed in the Syllabus for suggested reading material.) For Master's credit, the student should do at least 200 pages of additional reading.

Background Information on the Book of Job

AUTHORSHIP AND DATE OF COMPOSITION

Job’s Place in History

The fact that Job was, indeed, a historical person is supported by the testimony of Scripture: reference is made to him three times in other books of the Bible (Ezek. 14:14,20; Jas. 5:11.) As R. Dillard points out (p. 207), twice in the Ezekiel passage Job is mentioned along with two other historical figures from the Old Testament era, Noah and Daniel.

Based on the textual evidence, it appears Job lived in the time of the patriarchs. We find that Job’s great wealth is measured in terms of the number of cattle he possessed and the number of household servants he owned (Job 1:3; 42:12.) He is presented as being the head of a large family for whom he served as priest, as seen by the fact that he personally offers sacrifices on their behalf (1:5), an act that would have been unthinkable after the instituting of the Levitical priesthood. Furthermore, Job’s age exceeds even that of the patriarchs: he lived for another 140 years after his restoration (42:16.)

Most significant is the fact that Job is a non-Israelite. We are told that he was from “the land of Uz” (1:1.) While it cannot be located with certainty, Uz is clearly not within the boundaries of Israel. Note: Some scholars (including R.K. Harrison, pp. 1027-1028), based on such passages as Jeremiah 25:20 and Lamentations 4:21, identify Uz as being a part of Edomite territory.

In light of the textual evidence, R. Dillard concludes that Job was “a gentile patriarch much like Abraham” (p. 200.) As F. Delitzsch observes (pp. 7-8), Job belonged to the patriarchal period—a period in which the revelation of the covenant God was still known among the Gentile peoples. (One may note Genesis 4:26, a passage that speaks of men even of the pre-patriarchal era calling upon the name of Jehovah.)

Who Wrote the Book and When Was It Written?

One opinion current among the ancient rabbis and even held by some of the Church Fathers was that Moses was the author of the Book of Job. But in opposition to this is the fact that at least parts of the book are written in the style of the Wisdom literature characteristic of the book of Proverbs. Also, Job deals with the same subject as that which occupies the book of Proverbs, the source and substance of true wisdom. Furthermore, it is unlikely that a book such as Job, a book that contemplates the relationship between suffering and the justice of God, would be written prior to the giving of the Law and its promulgation among the covenant people (E.J. Young, p. 320.)

In seeking to ascertain the author’s identity, it would be well to ask, What do we know about him? What does his writing tell us about him? For one thing, his knowledge of nature, both plant and animal life, was extensive (cf. Job 14:7-9.) The series of animal portraits presented in 38:39-39:30 is a magnificent piece, attesting to his extensive knowledge of the habits of wild animals. He was also familiar with precious gems, using thirteen different words to describe them in 28:15-19, (not to mention his graphic description of ancient mining practices also given in that same chapter.) Then, too, in a very picturesque way he describes the formation of a human embryo (10:8-11.) Furthermore, he is very observant of weather patterns (36:27-37:20; 38:34-38) and is quite familiar with the constellations (38:31-33.)

The author was also well informed about foreign cultures, particularly that of Egypt. He compares the passage of human life to the speed of the swift skiffs made out of papyrus that sailed the Nile (9:26); he presents detailed descriptions of the hippopotamus (40:15-24) and the crocodile (41:1-34), two creatures commonly associated with Egypt. His knowledge of other cultures is evidenced in his reference to caravan travel across the Arabian Desert (6:18-20.) Also, it is clear from his poetic portrayal of the crocodile as “leviathan” (3:8; 41:1-34), that he was acquainted with Canaanite mythology (J. Hartley, p. 16.)

Hartley maintains that the author was a highly educated man and a devout servant of Jehovah; he may have been numbered among the great wise men of ancient Israel. These wise men served the royal court as counselors, scribes and teachers. It may be assumed that they held administrative posts in various cities throughout Israel, including foreign cities under the control of the Israelite or Judean crown (J. Hartley, pp. 17,15.)

In what era of Israel’s history are we most likely to encounter such a writer? According to J. Hartley (p. 20), it is most likely that this man lived during the reign of king Hezekiah (715-689 B.C.) It was during this period in Judah’s history that there was a revival of interest in wisdom (note Prov. 25:1; where we learn that an additional collection of Solomonic proverbs was compiled and disseminated by the scribes who served in Hezekiah’s court.)

Other scholars are of the opinion that our author wrote during the reign of Solomon. E.J. Young (pp. 319-320) quotes F. Delitzsch’s remark: (The Book of Job) bears throughout the stamp of that creative, beginning period of the Chokma (i.e.; Wisdom literature)—of that Solmonic age of knowledge and art, of deeper thought respecting revealed religion…--that unprecedented age, in which literature corresponded to the summit of glorious magnificence to which the kingdom of the promise had then attained.

Indeed, the age of Solomon was one of prosperous leisure, allowing the royal court to devote its attention to literary pursuits of the highest order. It was an age that showed special interest in the genre of Wisdom literature and the pondering of the deep questions of life (consider the Book of Ecclesiastes.) In Solomon’s time there was also the widest acquaintance with and interaction with foreign cultures—both by virtue of extensive commercial relations as well as by means of an exchange of learning (cp. 1 Kgs. 10:1-10.)

It does seem that the age of Solomon is the most likely time for the writing of the Book of Job. However, as E.S.P. Heavenor comments (p. 387), The question of date is not really important. Quoting the Old Testament scholars Oesterley and Robinson, he goes on to say, “There are few poems in all literature whose date and historical background are of less importance than they are in the Book of Job…It is a universal poem, and that is one of the features that gives it its value and interest for us today.”

THE GENRE AND THE STRUCTURE OF THE BOOK

Job and “The Babylonian Job”

Israel certainly had no monopoly on suffering, writes C. Schultz (p. 340.) Likewise, he continues, Israel was not the only nation to respond to suffering in its literature. The wisdom literature of both Mesopotamia and Egypt is similar to Job in plot and structure. (Note: Schultz mentions the similarities in plot and structure, but, as we shall see, the discussion of the problem, as well as the solution, is far superior in the Book of Job. It is a superiority that is derived from its source, divine revelation, as opposed to mere human wisdom.) We shall consider two examples of this genre taken from Babylonian wisdom literature.