Hi Karen and Danny,
Danny could be right either which way he chooses. Scholars are divided as to the origin, intent, and meaning of the book as well as having multiple opinions as to the identity of Job, the timing, and nature of its composition. Let's see if we can explore some of these issues.
The text never speaks of Job as its author or anyone else, just its subject. Thus, many have concluded that Job was written by Elihu, one of the three friends, or simply some anonymous writer at an unknown time period.
We can examine other records for clues such as the Talmud. The Talmud is a record of rabbinic discussions pertaining to Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history. It is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism, second only to the Hebrew Bible in importance. Please consider it a secular source for our purposes here.
The Talmud adheres that the Book of Job was written by Moses, although the Rabbis dispute whether it was based on historical reality or intended as a parable. Although Moses' authorship is accepted as definitive, other opinions in the Talmud ascribe it to the period of before the First Temple, the time of the patriarch Jacob, or King Ahaserus.
Most scholars agree that Job lived in patriarchal times; but that the book was written many years later. The dates of such a composition will vary from the time of Abraham to that of the Greek Empire.
As you can see, the question of date and authorship is a very complex issue that cannot yet be settled with certainty; however we can safely conclude that Job was a real person given that we have several references concerning his riches and stature, his perseverance and his righteousness.
The book of Job begins,
Job 1:1-3 (New International Version)
1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. 2 He had seven sons and three daughters, 3 and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
James declares,
James 5:11 (New International Version)
11As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.
While Ezekiel, speaking of judgment to come upon the land, says,
Ezekiel 14:13-14 (New International Version)
13 "Son of man, if a country sins against me by being unfaithful and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals, 14 even if these three men—Noah, Daniel [a] and Job—were in it, they could save only themselves by their righteousness, declares the Sovereign LORD.
We can also deduce that Job lived in the patriarchal or prepatriarchal days, for not only does he not mention the Law or the Exodus, but he is pictured as a wealthy nomad (Job 1:3; Job 42:12) who is still offering sacrifices himself (Job 1:5; Job 42:8).
Many purposes have been suggested for the book especially that of answering the question of why the righteous suffer. Certainly this question was prominent in Job's day, for ancient society believed that human suffering was the result of one's sin or at least a god's displeasure. Even the meaning of the name Job from the Hebrew name אִיּוֹב ('Iyyov) which means "persecuted, hated". seems to support this suggestion, but that may not be all that is involved in the book.
Perhaps it is best to take the book as an illustration of the nature of God and His justice in dealing with humankind, a justice people often cannot recognize and never fully understand.
I wish we had a concrete answer to your question...
A Pilgrim in Progress,
Lance Muller
Fearful To Fearless | Fear Not - Don't Worry - Fear God brings together almost 400 passages of scripture to demonstrate or direct us to not be afraid, to not worry or be anxious, to look to Christ for strength and comfort, and be transformed to have a worshipful fear and awe of God.
