Understanding Job For as long as people have read Job’s story, they have struggled with the tension between the positive and negative aspects of Job’s character. The book’s approval of Job in the opening prologue is unequivocal (1:1, 8; 2:3), yet we later hear God interrogate Job: “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” (38:2). “Will you discredit my justice and condemn me just to prove you are right?” (40:8). God’s questions have led various interpreters to accuse Job of talking too much and even of confusing God’s work with the work of Satan. Some contemporary interpretations side with Job’s counselors in blaming Job for his suffering. Still others follow Eliphaz (5:17-27) and Elihu (33:15-33; 36:7-17) in arguing that Job’s suffering was God’s loving and sanctifying chastisement. Even the faithful are not exempt from such discipline (Heb 12:6-12; see Prov 3:11-12), but this explanation flies in the face of the rationale given in the book’s opening verses. Job suffered because God wanted to prove Job’s integrity to Satan. God’s own judgment of Job’s life was positive from start to finish (Job 1:1, 8; 2:3; 42:7). This perspective carries through to...