links open new window The Prophet Job Fra Bartolommeo 18x24 Gicl...

Job Job. (persecuted). 1. The third son of Issachar, Gen_46:13, called, in another genealogy, Jashub. 1Ch_7:1. 2. Job, the patriarch, from whom one of the books of the Old Testament is named. His residence in the land of Uz, marks him as belonging to a branch of the Aramean race, which had settled in the lower part of Mesopatamia, (probably to the south or southeast of Palestine, in Idumean Arabia), adjacent to the Sabeans and Chaldeans. The opinions of Job and his friends are, thus, peculiarly interesting as exhibiting an aspect of the patriarchal religion, outside of the family of Abraham, and as yet, uninfluenced by the legislation of Moses. The form of worship belongs essentially, to the early patriarchal type; with little of ceremonial ritual, without a separate priesthood, it is thoroughly domestic in form and spirit. Job is represented as a chieftain of immense wealth and high rank, blameless in all the relations of life. What we know of his history, is given in the book that bears his name. The argument. -- One question could be raised by envy: may not the goodness which secures such direct and tangible rewards be a refined form of selfishness? Satan, the accusing angel, suggests the doubt, "Doth Job fear God for nought ?" and asserts boldly that if those external blessings were withdrawn, Job would cast off his allegiance "he will curse thee to thy face." The problem is thus distinctly propounded which this book is intended to discuss and solve: can goodness exist irrespective of reward ? The accuser receives permission to make the trial. He destroys Job's property, then his children; and afterward, to leave no possible opening for a cavil, is allowed to inflict upon him the most terrible disease known in the East. Job's wife breaks down entirely under the trial. Job remains steadfast. The question raised by Satan is answered.