Page 62 - Old Testament Survey Student Textbook- short

Keep in mind that Hebrew Poetry does rhyme sounds and has no meter. It does rhyme images, thoughts
and concepts through use
A. Hebrew Parallelism—A seconding structure for emphasis or heightened effect where the first
line and the second line form a culprit so that the second line will do something to the first line,
e.g.
1. Restate it,
2. Complete, explain or amplify it.
3. Contrast it
4. State a cause and effect.
B. Figures of Speech--- involves the use of vivid “word pictures and highly figurative and symbolic
language to:-
1. Add force to truth conveyed
2. Add emphasis
3. Add depth of meaning
4. Intensify feeling and emotion
5. Adds color
6. Attract attention
7. Make abstract ideas concrete
8.
But figures of speech still convey literal truth.

As you read and study the books of Poetry, look for the parallel and for figures of speech. Try to place
yourself in the position of and identify with the writer or the ones written about. Poetry is meant to be
“sensed” and “felt” as well as to be understood for the basic truth taught. Poetry can a very effective
means of communication.

Job is the first book of the poetic books.

The author and date of the book of Job is unknown.

Themes include: Man’s Wisdom Wrestles with God’s Justice Message: Prompted
by his ‘unjust’ suffering, Job and his friends debate God’s justice and man’s innocence. God responds to
rebukes/reassure Job of His wise, just rule! Prologue (1-2).

The book opens by introducing Job (1:1-5), a pure- fears, prosperous greatest, and pious- offer God-
fearer. Then, it all changes, as proverbial blessing gives way to profound suffering. In response to God’s
praise, the adversary accuses/tests his devotion retribution. When Job’s wealth (6-22) and health (1-10)
are taken, his piety is proven, at least initially (1:6-2:10).

Job 3 is the opening monologue. As his friends silently comfort him (2:10-13), Job’s tone quickly
changes- a man who feared his children had cursed God, who scorned his wife’s advice to curse God,
nears the brink of cursing God himself! Job’s complaint is a stark contrast to prologue: He laments his
plight: cursing his birth wishing for his de-creation (1-10), craving for rest favoring stillbirth to life (11-
19), complaining about God questioning why God sustains him, hedging him into such suffering (20-26).

Chapters 4-27 are cycles: Friends’ Rebuke and Job Responds (4-27). In three speech cycles, Job and his
friends trade insults and engage in a war of wisdom. With the wisdom of tradition, observation and
pseudo revelation, Job’s friends defend divine justice as well as a theology of retribution- Sin leads to
suffering so suffering is a sign of sin! Placing Job with the wicked, they repeatedly call for him to repent
and be restored. In contrast to Job’s devotion in the prologue, these chapters show Job’s doubt! His
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