Exposition

 I. PROLOGUE chs. 1--2

The writer composed the prologue and epilogue of this book in prose narrative and the main body (3:1-42:6) in poetry. The prologue and epilogue form a frame around the main emphasis of the revelation, the poetic section, and provide information that helps us put the central dialogue in context. This chiastic A-B-A pattern recurs throughout the book.

In the prologue events proceed rapidly in contrast to the slow-paced poetic section. The writer's purpose here was quite clearly to set the stage for what follows.

 II. THE DIALOGUE CONCERNING THE BASIS OF THE DIVINE-HUMAN RELATIONSHIP 3:1--42:6

 III. EPILOGUE 42:7-17

The book closes as it opened with a prose explanation by the inspired human writer. He gave us important information about Job's friends (vv. 7-9) and then Job's fortunes (vv. 10-17).

". . . Satan and Job's wife (who are prominent in the prologue as agents of evil who try to get Job to curse God) are intentionally omitted in the epilogue. This deliberate omission emphasizes a major teaching of the book, namely, that man's relationship to God is not a give-and-get' bargain nor a business contract of mutual benefit."¹⁹⁸