The Surface Structure of the Book of

A Job's original state, 1:1-5 Job's restoration, 42:10-17 A’

a Job, blameless and upright (1:1) Job dies at a ripe old age (4:16-17) a’

There was once a man in the land of Uz whose name was After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his Job. That man was blameless and upright, one who feared children, and his children's children, four generations. God and turned away from evil. And Job died, old and full of days. b children (1:2) children (42:13-14) b’

There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first Jemimah, the second , and the third Keren-happuch.

c animals (1:3) animals (42:12) c’

He had seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five The LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and very many beginning; and he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand servants; camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand donkeys.

d The sons of Job throw a feast (1:4) Job eats bread with friends and family (42:11) d’

His sons used to go and hold feasts in one another's houses Then there came to him all his brothers and sisters and all who in turn; and they would send and invite their three sisters to had known him before, and they ate bread with him in his eat and drink with them. house; they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him; and each of them gave him a piece of money and a gold ring.

e Job's mediation (sacrifice) for children (1:5) Job's mediation (prayer) for friends (42:10) e’

Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in … my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number not to deal with you according to your folly. of them all.

B Dialogue between the Satan and God, 1:6-12 Dialogue between God and , 42:7-9 B ’

God boasts in his servant Job God praises the speech of Job Satan questions the authenticity of Job's piety: "You have not spoken of me correctly as my servant Job". “Strike him and he will curse you to your face.” "I will accept his prayer...".

C First attack against his family and wealth, 1:13-21 God's Second Speech, 40:6--41:34 C ’

Job's first response: Job's second response, 42:1-6 "The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, Blessed be the name of the LORD." now my eye sees you."

D Dialogue and Second attack on Job's body, 2:1-10 God's First Speech, 38:1--40:2 D’ Job's second response, a question: Job's first response, a question: 40:3-5 "Shall we receive the good at the hand of God, "See, I am of small account; and not receive the bad?" what shall I answer you?"

Job's incantation for chaos, 3:1-26; Job's laments (6:1--7:21; 9:1--10:22; 12:1--14:22; 16:1--17:16; 19:1-29; 21:1-34; 23:1--24:25; 26:1--30:31) Job's indictment, 31:1-40

Eliphaz (4:1--5:27; 15:1-35, 22:1-30) (8:1-22; 18:1-21;25:1-6) (11:1-20; 20:1-29)

Elihu (32:1--37:24)

* * * * * Integration disintegration reintegration Orientation disorientation reorientation

Ethics –– Aesthetics

1) In what ways do the details of the epilogue suggest a transformation in the character of Job from the beginning of the book to the end? What about the image of God? Does the image of God also undergo a transformation from beginning to end?

Some indications:

Prologue Epilogue Job does not feast with his children (at least this not clear Job “eats bread” with friends and family or emphasized, thereby allowing for the children to be killed, while Job and his wife survive)

Job offers sacrifices for his sons in case they have sinned Job prays directly to God for his friends

Job is frets with concern for his sons, “It may be that my Job's horizon extends beyond his family sons have inadvertently cursed God in their heart:

Job is the wisest man of the East In all the land, no women were so beautiful as the daughters of Job (the focus extends from Job to the next generation)

Job is motivated by fear in his sacrifices Job is presented as a full member of the community

The sons throw a feast each on his day Job breaks "tradition" and extends inheritance to the daughters

Michael Kolarcik, sj