genres freely to his own purpose. Thus the setting in the book is far more important in determining the function of each genre than its setting in life.8 For example, a description of the fate of the wicked, which usually serves to teach the moral order of the world, functions in 15:20–35 as a warning to Job. Thus for interpreting this work one must give careful attention to the interplay between a genre and its literary setting. XI. Message The message of the book of Job will be presented on two
Page 43