Themes
Key
LitCharts assigns a color and icon to each theme in Book of Job, which you can use to track the themes throughout the work.
Suffering and Divine Justice
The Mystery of God
Human Wisdom vs. Divine Wisdom
Faith in Suffering
Summary
Analysis
Job speaks again, wishing he were once again in his prime, when God was his friend, and he was surrounded by his children. In those days, Job would sit at the city gates, and youthful and aged men alike would show Job respect. Even princes fell silent in his presence. Job helped the poor and wretched, and he was “clothed” with righteousness and justice. Because of these things, Job felt confident that he would live long and die peacefully. His counsel was revered, and everyone looked to him like a chief.
Job’s speech turns personal again as he grieves for the honorable life he once enjoyed. In the past, Job felt certain that God was present in his life—even intimately, like a friend—and his life reflected the blessings that would be expected for a righteous person, like public honor. Out of his abundance, Job generously helped the needy. With this remembrance, Job defends himself against his friends’ accusations of sin and also presents himself as a model of a righteous life duly rewarded by God.
Themes
