Job is often considered the oldest book of the Bible. The debate goes back and forth between Genesis and Job, but I land on the Job side. Job is an interesting book for a few reasons. First of all, some people believe that the opening two chapters are just a play and that those events didn't actually happen. Some argue it is just an allegory, a piece of creative storytelling. I'm afraid I have to disagree with that view. We are being given some insight into the things of heaven. It seems similar to the vision Micaiah has in 1 Kings 22. Second, some people believe that Job's entire book is just a play written as a cautionary tale; they don't think there is any historical truth to it, and Job is just a stand-in for humanity. That argument is ridiculous since Job is mentioned outside the book of Job. Ezekiel mentions Job alongside Noah and Daniel, and we certainly would not argue that either of those two men is just a figurehead for humanity. James uses Job as an encouragement to the believer to persevere in trials. So then I can't come to the place where I relegate Job to a character in a play.