Job 2:1-10

 

1) We are introduced to Job. My money is still with Gerald Janzen's (CTS) commentary in Interpretation. Newsom's NIB is good, but she sometimes slips into blaming Job. This is a wonderful introduction to the issue of God and human suffering.

 

2) Job is probably not an Israelite name. I see the land of Uz as the land of Oz, a palce for the imagination to run free.

 

3) We are in the second heavenly test/trail/temptation of Job. this challenges most of our views about God. Many would find it safer, at least less anxiety provoking, to see this as a set-up for the important question of God and suffering.

 

4) Satan=the adversary/accuser/prosector. I see him as amember of the heavenly council, not the devil, but it is difficult to shake the suspicion for many readers and hearers.

 

5) Pay attention to the word integrity (tumma).

 

6) In vain (hinnam probably means for no good reason, for no good cause.

7) In v. 7 Job is silent. we could do well to speak of the silence of suffering, its difficulty in being communicated.

 

8) Mrs. Job breaks the silence., with a viciuos declaration. One should be careful to note that she is speaking out of unimaginable loss and grief herself.

 

9) Shall we accept good from Giod and not trouble question touoched Calvin of course. Again, we are told Job is blameless, the embodiment of innocent, senseless suffering.