TEXTURE OF THE FORM - The book of Job is considered to be the finest wisdom text of the Jewish and Christian canons for no other biblical text addresses the question of divine justice (why bad things happen to good people) in such a confrontational way. [1] But what is wisdom par excellence to some is the source of frustration to others; unlike Proverbs which champions retributive justice (the law of logical consequence), Jobs presents unconventional wisdom-the kind of wisdom that one identifies with when conventional wisdom fails.

SANDWICH STRUCTURE - The tale of Job is remarkably short-ten verses at the beginning (1:1-10) and seven verses that bring closure to the opening narrative (42:10-17). The thirty-nine chapters lodged between the beginning and ending form the core of wisdom in Job-the long and meandering conversations that Job engages in with Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, Zophar the Naamathite, Elihu son of Barachel, and finally, with God’s Self who with Satan has remained silent throughout the book.

THE SPOILER - Satan appears among the heavenly council in 1:6 and 2:1. The heavenly court is an assembly to which only the privileged have access. God and the Satan exchange words, further suggesting that this is an individual with stature. The conversation reveals that Satan performs a rather significant role on earth, that of patrol. Satan suggests that Job’s integrity is hollow-he reverences God simply out of self-interest. Literarily, Satan functions in the story to raise this unthinkable proposal and to execute it. [2]

What’s the saddest story you’ve seen in the news recently? [3]

How does this portrait of God (chapters 1 and 2) impact your vision of God?

How can you relate to this story at this time in your life? I will hold on my faith come what may? I am still trying to pick up the pieces of my life after a very trying circumstance? I can’t understand why God allows bad things to happen to good people? I have questions, but I am convinced that God is loving and good?

Begin with mention of Rabbi Kushner’s popular book of the past two decades, When Bad Things Happen to Good People. Share a bit of the main point of the book and how his topic hit a raw nerve in America’s experience and thinking.

Shift to biblical text for this week as a way to open the discussion of suffering vicariously experienced by Job.

Use some of your time to contrast retributive wisdom (the "if" / "then" understanding of ordered life) with Job’s unconventional version of wisdom. Both kinds of wisdom are needed-conventional wisdom on average can prove valuable; but Job’s story and discussion will sustain us during times of divine silence and human suffering.

Move to the Hebrews 2 passage to remind listeners of Jesus familiarity with both kinds of wisdom-he enjoyed remarkable peace and ordered life, but he also was a man of sorrow and acquainted with grief.

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[1] The New Interpreter’s Study Bible (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 2003), page 703.
[2] Diane Bergant, Israel’s Wisdom Literature (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 1997), page 23.
[3] Questions from Serendipity Bible (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1998), page 696,