Beyond Today Bible Commentary: Job

Contained within the Writings section of the Old Testament are what are often referred to as the Poetical or Wisdom books: Psalms, Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes and Job. Chronologically, the first among these is evidently the book of Job—or at least the story contained within the book appears to precede most of the material in the other Writings. We did not read the book of Job in harmony with earlier sections because its chronological placement is not completely clear and its contents are not crucial to the story flow of the Law and Prophets. Nevertheless, Job is directly mentioned in the Prophets as an illustrious example, along with Noah and Daniel, of righteousness (see Ezekiel 14:14, Ezekiel 14:20). And it is possible that he is mentioned in the Law as well, as we will see.