INTRODUCTION TO JOB
The book of Job is set around the time of Abraham and tells the story of a godly man whom God allows to suffer greatly, as he loses all his possessions, his family, and even his health. Job is tempted to curse God for this, but he does not do so and maintains his integrity.
The initial narrative portion of the book is only two chapters long. The middle and longest section of the book is a debate between Job and three of his friends, written as poetry. Job asks God difficult questions about his suffering, and his friends try to answer him through their religious understanding. Near the end, a fifth and younger person, Elihu, joins the argument. Finally, God speaks from heaven, rebuking Job's three friends for speaking unjustly about him, and he restores Job's fortunes.
Even among unbelievers, the book of Job is considered one of the greatest works of ancient literature, because of its profound reflections on the purpose of human suffering. Through prayerful study of the book of Job, we can honestly confront the problem of suffering and understand better how it is addressed by the gospel of Jesus.


Job was an exemplary character, fearing God and shunning evil, and even praying to atone for his children's sins (1-6). God was proud of Job and showed him off as an example that Satan does not rule everyone's heart in this world (8).

But Satan accused Job of only loving God because he was blessed (9-11). So, as a test, God allowed Satan to destroy everything Job owned and even kill his children in a storm (12-19). It is difficult to understand why God would allow Satan to do this. But God was always in control, setting limits on Satan's power. Our life is part of a larger spiritual struggle that we cannot see now, but can only grasp by faith.

Job easily could have blamed God for allowing this to happen to a righteous man. But instead, Job still praised God (20-22). If anything, his terrible loss made him worship God even more deeply for his almighty power. His praise was not dependent on what he got for himself, but on who God is. Job was already winning a great spiritual victory.


Application: Father, thank you for Job's example. I also don't know the reason for many of my sufferings, but help me win a spiritual victory by worshiping you in steadfast faith.
One Word: We can praise God no matter what.