Category: Job – God’s Providence Unfolded

Job and the unseen Providence of God

Job stands alone in the Bible as an ancient book revealing God’s providence in relation to a man’s integrity.

Most of us associate Job with suffering. And some identify with the unseen temptations of Satan causing his troubles. God proves his righteousness as a mortal man who has blessings withdrawn.

The LORD also reveals His great glory in closing arguments to this mortal man. God then completely redeems Job’s former life with twice the blessings as before.

Job’s Place in History

Job is perhaps the oldest book of the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible). It was written before the Pentateuch. And chronologically the events take place during Moses’ recording of the timeline of Genesis.

• Some Bibles include Job with the books of wisdom (either before or after Psalms).
• Properly it could be included as Old Testament books of History prior to the diaspora to Babylon.
• The Hebrew Bible groups Iyov as Ketuvim (Scriptures)
• It’s not chronologically ordered before books of Scriptures, i.e. Psalms, written much later.
• A 17th & 18th c. Bible commentator Matthew Henry likely classifies this book with the best description when he states:

“This book of Job stands by itself, is not connected with any other, and is therefore to be considered alone.