A study of contrasts.

The book of Job jumps right into the drama. In Chapter 1, God grants Satan permission to touch Job’s possessions but not his person.

What does Job lose?

500 Oxen and 500 donkeys

7000 sheep and 3000 Camels

Very many servants

All 10 of his children – 7 sons and 3 daughters died.

How did he respond to the news?

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’” In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. Job 1:20-22

Then added to his loss, Job soon suffered great sores all over his body.  Did Job suffer?  Yes. He suffered greatly. His friends came to see him and did not speak a word to him for 7 days and 7 nights because …they saw that his suffering was very great Job 2:13.

Job’s wife – because she and Job were one flesh – what did she lose?

500 Oxen and 500 donkeys

7000 sheep and 3000 Camels

Very many servants

All 10 children she bore – 7 sons and 3 daughters died.

How did she react?

Well, we don’t hear much about her, but the little we do know is iconic. Her single statement in response to her suffering and her husband’s suffering was this:

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” Job 2:9

Job’s immediate response to catastrophic loss was to fall on his face and worship God.  Mrs. Job’s response was “Curse God and die.”  Why the difference?  Each suffered the same loss.  One worshipped, one whined.  They each made a choice.

We don’t know anything about Mrs. Job’s foundational beliefs – but we know a lot about Job’s.

He was a blameless and upright man who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). He knew all he had was because it was given to him by God. “The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” (Job 1:21). Job did not believe that “if we are good we will not suffer.”  He did not believe that a good God would “not allow suffering.” “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10)

Are you facing challenges today?  Are you suffering or grieving?  Do you know in the depths of your heart that God is good and that He is with you in the midst of your suffering? God is a God of redemption and can and will redeem your suffering.  We never suffer for naught.  God ALWAYS has a plan and purpose He is accomplishing through your suffering.  Does that truth comfort your heart?

Blessings,

Diane

Diane Hunt serves part-time on the staff of America’s Keswick providing ministry support from her home in North Carolina. She is also a biblical counselor and women’s event speaker. For more information about having Diane speak at your next event please contact her at dhunt@americaskeswick.org.