The week 4 readings are from the Book of Job. I think this is where the introductory comments in the Chronological Bible fail the reader.
The comments throughout Job readings focus on the suffering, but ignore the critical issue, namely a human’s righteousness before God. Yet look at the textual hints about the righteousness of the one who suffers throughout the book. Here are a few:
Job 4:17 (Eliphaz asks: “Can a mortal be righteous before God?”) Eliphaz identifies the right question/issue behind the suffering The again in 5:8 Eliphaz the right solution (Eliphaz: “However, if I were you, I would appeal to God”)
Even more clearly in Job 6:29-30 Job responds: “my righteousness is still the issue.”
And in Job 7:21 Job speaks: “Why not forgive my sin and pardon my iniquity?”
Again in Job 9:2 Job speaks: “Yes, I know what you’ve said is true, but how can a person be justified before God?”
Finally, in Job 9:33-35, Job admits: “There is no mediator between us, to lay his hand on both of us. Let him take his rod away from me so his terror will no longer frighten me. Then I would speak and not fear him. But that is not the case; I am on my own.”
So suffering is certainly an issue that Job faced. But behind it is the question about the righteousness of the one who suffers. Ultimately that is resolved in chapters 38-42, most pointedly in God’s questioning of Job. Even after ch. 38-39, Job still does not get it. God ultimately asks:
40: 8 God asks: “Would you really challenge my justice?
Would you declare me guilty to justify yourself?”
With such a critical issue, it seems that the comments could have helped the reader to at least watch for something so significant with regard to the ultimate revelation in chap. 40 and 42.
“believe, teach, and confess” 