The College Press NIV Commentary: Job

by Stephen M. Hooks

Publisher:

College Press

, 2006

Overview

The book of Job is a “God-book” from cover to cover. God is the subject or the subject-behind-the subject of every page. Through its compelling plot and exalted speeches the book of Job explores the mystery of God’s ways to a depth and with an intensity that is unsurpassed in all of ancient religious literature.

Job has the power to engage its readers on different levels. Intellectually, it forces the reader to rethink traditional theories of divine justice by exposing the inadequacy of the simplistic, fatalistic doctrine of retribution. Emotionally, it stirs feelings of sympathy, anger, frustration, sorrow, and even laughter over its surprising plot and ironic language. Spiritually, it calls the believer to a new and higher kind of piety a piety that trusts God in spite of life’s cruel absurdities and loves God simply for who he is. It invites the reader, like Job, on a journey of faith that ends with an unexpected and life-transforming encounter with the sovereign Lord of the universe.

The book of Job stands apart from parallel literature in several ways. First, of course, is its unique theology. The monotheistic perspective of Job posed a special problem for the author’s consideration of the role of God in human suffering. No other ancient work goes as far as Job does in its search for an answer to the problem of theodicy. Its challenge to retributive justice as the sole model by which to understand how God governs his world is unapproached by any other ancient work. Second, the book of Job stands out as literature. Its characterization and employment of its protagonists, its balancing of lament and substantive debate, its blending of religious tradition and wisdom, and its powerful use of lyrical poetry are all without peer in the ancient literature. Finally, the book of Job surpasses its ancient parallels in the lasting influence it has had in human intellectual history, especially on the thinking of the Western world.

The book of Job also makes important contributions to our understanding of the faith of ancient Israel. The story of Job’s undeserved suffering and his search for the meaning of God’s role in it gives rise to a theological discussion that is as provocative as it is profound. Some of the issues explored by the book, though addressed elsewhere in the Old Testament, are discussed more fully and with greater intensity in Job than any other book of the Bible.

Contents

Top Highlights

“By attaching the term lives (lit., ‘is alive’; חָי‎, ḥāy) Job is saying more than that his redeemer ‘exists.’ He is expressing his belief that this deliverer is ready and able to come to his aid.²³ Job is confident that somehow, some day, someone will rise (stand; קוּם‎, qûm)²⁴ in his defense to secure his vindication and restoration.” (Page 249)

“First, God says that the Satan incited him to afflict Job. This word (סוּת‎, sûth) means to ‘stir someone to a course of action they would not ordinarily take.’ By using this term the author informs us that God does not ordinarily act this way towards his servants. God’s affliction of Job is not to be understood as the norm. Second, God says that the Satan incited me against him. This point, too, is crucial to our understanding of Job’s struggle. Though the Satan may have encouraged and even carried out the affliction of Job (cf. v. 7), it was God who actually authorized it. With these words Yahweh accepts responsibility for Job’s suffering, and it is from Yahweh that Job seeks deliverance in the dialogue. Third, God characterizes his ruin of Job as without any cause.” (Pages 72–73)

“From this moment forward Job the pious becomes Job the protester. The Job who has humbly bowed before God now sets himself against God. Before he is through speaking, he will question God, impugn him, and demand vindication from him.” (Page 82)

“The vastness of Job’s prosperity is characterized by the numbers ‘three,’ ‘seven,’ and ‘ten.’ These numbers are symbolic of completeness in the Hebrew Bible.” (Page 58)

Product Details

• Title: The College Press NIV Commentary: Job
• Author: Stephen M. Hooks
• Editors: Terry Briley and Paul J. Kissling
• Publisher: College Press
• Publication Date: 2006
• Pages: 485

About Stephen M. Hooks

Stephen M. Hooks is professor of biblical studies at Atlanta Christian College. He received his PhD in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and literature from Hebrew Union College. He earned his MDiv from Emmanuel School of Religion and his BA from Atlanta Christian College.

Terry Briley, Ph. D., is an associate professor of Bible at Lipscomb University, Nashville, Tennessee, since 1986. Terry Briley received the B.A. from David Lipscomb College (now Lipscomb University), then a M.Phil. and Ph.D. from Hebrew Union College, Cincinnati, Ohio. In addition to teaching at Lipscomb University, he is the Senior Minister at Natchez Trace Church of Christ and leads an annual summer mission trip to Brazil.

Paul J. Kissling, Ph.D. is Professor of Old Testament and Biblical Languages and Area Chair in Bible/Theology at Great Lakes Christian College, Lansing, Michigan. He is an elder at Meridian Christian Church in Okemos. Paul Kissling received the Bachelor's degree from Great Lakes Christian College, the M.Div. from Lincoln Christian Seminary, the Th.M. from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School, and the Ph.D. from the University of Sheffield (England). Paul has taught and preached in over 15 countries and serves as Old Testament specialist on the Board of the Stone-Campbell Journal.