Good morning. It’s Monday, January 26th, aka National Spouses Day.

🥳 Congratulations on starting today with God, and thank you for letting us be a part of it.

— Job 28:12

So what’s up with the title? What do you mean, fact or fiction? We just talked about Job yesterday.

This isn’t about questioning the truth of the Bible or the story of Job… we actually don’t know if Job is poetry or non-fiction. Biblical scholars still go back and forth on it.

There are three major reasons for that.

First, Job isn’t placed in a clear historical timeline. The book opens simply by saying:

Job 1:1 “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job…”

There are no dates, kings, or historical markers that anchor his story to a specific moment in Israel’s history.

Second, the book of Job uses a lot of poetry. After the opening narrative, the writing shifts dramatically:

Job 3:1 “After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.”

From that point on, much of the book is made up of long, poetic speeches and carefully structured dialogue.

Third, Job isn’t introduced with a family tree. Unlike many other biblical figures, there’s no genealogy at all, no long list of names (the part most of us usually skip), just Job’s name and where he lived.

That said, there are verses that make people lean toward Job being a real person.

Ezekiel 14:14 “Even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord GOD.”

And later in the New Testament:

James 5:11 “You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord…”

At the same time, there are verses that make others lean toward Job being poetic.

When Job begins to speak after his loss, the language shifts into poetry. And when God finally responds later in the book, His words are also delivered poetically:

Job 38:4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding.”

There’s something poetic about us not knowing if Job is fact or fiction, because the whole point of the book is that Job never knows why he’s suffering.

Whether Job’s story is history or poetry, fact or fiction, the message stays the same, faith isn’t about having answers, it’s about trusting God when we don’t have the answers.

When you’re not sure how to pray, A.C.T.S. gives you a simple path to follow: Adore, Confess, Thank, and Ask.

Adoration: God, You are wise and trustworthy.

Confession: We admit we want answers more than faith.

Thanksgiving: Thank You for staying faithful when we don’t understand.

Supplication: Teach us to trust You without answers.

In Jesus name, Amen.

“Up + Up” by Colton Dixon

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Thanks for letting us be a part of how you start your day with God.

See you tomorrow,

Zach | Start With God