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. It?s 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.
Additional Information
- Title: The College Press NIV Commentary: Job
- Author: Stephen M. Hooks
- Editors: Terry Briley and Paul J. Kissling
- 485 pages
- College Press Publishing Company | 2006
About the Author and Editors
Dr. Clyde M. Woods is professor of Bible at Freed-Hardeman University, Henderson, Tennessee where he teaches undergraduate and graduate courses in Bible and biblical languages. He holds degrees from Memphis State University, 1956; AA., Freed-Hardeman College, 1957; B.A., Abliene Christian College, 1958; M.A., Harding College Graduate School of Religion, 1959; M.R.E., M.Th., Harding College Graduate School of Religion, 1961; Ph.D., Hebrew Union College, 1965; and Hebrew Union College, 1971. Dr. Woods has authored several books and has contributed numerous articles for print and presentation at various Christian college lectureships.
Stephen M. Hooks is Professor of Biblical Studies at Atlanta Christian College. He received his Ph.D. in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Near Eastern Languages and Literature from Hebrew Union College. He earned his M.Div. from Emmanuel School of Religion and his B.A. from Atlanta Christian College.
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.
Add the College Press NIV Commentary series Old Testament (16 Vols.) and complete NT collection to your digital libriary!
Benefits of the Logos Bible Software Edition
As the leading digital publisher of biblical resources, Logos Bible Software is the best choice for building a digital library that is comprehensive, yet affordable; powerful, yet easy to use. Whether you are a new Christian, seasoned pastor, or advanced scholar, Logos has thousands of high quality digital resources perfectly suited to meet your needs. All of our products can be used by themselves, but are greatly enhanced when added to one of our base packages. The Libronix Digital Library System dramatically enhances the value of any resource by enabling you to find what you are looking for with lightning speed and incredible precision. Your investment is safe when you choose Libronix. Your books and licenses are backed up on our server and are easily restorable, and your resources are updateable to be compatible with future versions of Libronix.