Jensens survey of the old testament adam 153

Christ. Questions are raised, great sobs
of agony are heard, which Jesus alone
can answer. The book takes its place in
the testimony of the ages that there is
a blank in the human heart which
Jesus alone can fill.15

Were it not for the atoning work of Christ
neither the faith of Job nor that of any other
Old Testamerit saint would have availed to
bring them into the heavenly city, written
about in Hebrews.
These men of faith I have mentioned
died without ever receiving all that
God had promised them; but they saw
it all awaiting them on ahead and were
glad, for they agreed that this earth
was not their real home but that they
were just strangers visiting down here.
And quite obviously when they talked
like that, they were looking forward to
their real home in heaven…. And now


God is not ashamed to be called their
God, for he has made a heavenly city for
them (Heb 11:13-16, TLB, italics
added).

C. THE MAIN CHARACTERS OF JOB

The book’s ve main characters are Elihu,


Job, and Job’s three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad,
and Zophar. Read 2:11-13 and 32:1-5 for a
brief introduction to these men. Since they
are key characters in most of the book’s
drama, it would be helpful now to learn
more about them and their views on life
before surveying the book. Study the
following descriptions and refer back to
them during the course of your studies.16
Enlarge or revise the descriptions along the
way.
1. Eliphaz.
a) Two possible meanings of the name: “God
is fine gold”; or “God is dispenser.”
b) Native of Teman (2:11), a city of Edom,
southeast of Palestine, which was
traditionally famous for its wise men
(Jer 49:7).
c) The leading spokesman of the three
friends.


d) The “scientist” of the group; his speeches
show clearer reasoning and more
considerate criticism than those of the
other two friends.
e) Noble, sincere, wise, courtly.

f) Two of his main contentions: God is
perfectly pure and righteous; and, man
brings trouble on himself (see 5:7).
2. Bildad.
a) Name means “Son of contention.”
b) Native of Shuah (Sukhu of the Euphrates
region?) (2:11).
c) A traditionalist (cf. 8:8-10); more
argumentative than Eliphaz.
d) Charged Job with godlessness (8:13).
e) One of his main contentions: God never
twists justice (see 8:3).
3. Zophar.