THE BOOK OF JOB

 

 

PROLOGUE

1st test of Job’s integrity: loss of family and wealth

2nd test of Job’s integrity: loss of health

 

 

1st CYCLE OF DIALOGUES (3:1-14:22)

            Job: Curses the day he was born                                              3:3,11

               Eliphaz: Suffering afflicts the sinful                                         4:7-8

            Job: But my suffering is far out of proportion                             6:1-3

               Bildad: God is just—your children may have sinned               8:1-4

            Job: But God won’t listen                                                         9:14-16

               Zophar: God knows your secret guilt                                     11:4-5

            Job: But why won’t God tell me what I’ve done?                      13:23

 

2nd CYCLE OF DIALOGUES (15:1-21:34)

               Eliphaz: Tradition teaches that the wicked suffer                    15:18-20

            Job: But I weep even though I am innocent                               16:16-17

               Bildad: The wicked suffer                                                      18:5

            Job: But there is no justice in my case                                       19:7

               Zophar: The wicked perish                                                    20:4-5

            Job: But I see the wicked thriving                                              21:7

 

3rd CYCLE OF DIALOGUES (22:1-31:40)

               Eliphaz: God reproves you for wickedness not piety, so repent  22:4-5

            Job: But why won’t God tell my why this is happening?                 23:3-5

               Bildad: No one is righteous before God                                     25:4

            Job: But I’m not aware of any wrongdoing                                    27:5-6

                    I’ll give an account!                                                               31:35-37

 

ELIHU SPEAKS (32:1-37:24)

            Just as God gives warnings to bring repentance                          33:14-18

            God also uses pain to bring repentance                                      33:19

 

GOD REPLIES FROM THE WHIRLWIND (38:1-42:6)

               God: Do you understand how God cares for all living things?  38:1-40:2

            Job: I can say no more                                                              40:3-5

               God: Can you govern the world?                                            40:6-41:34

            Job: I repent in dust and ashes                                                   42:1-6

 

 

EPILOGUE (42:7-17)

Job given family, wealth, and long life