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Job (1-2)
The book of Job is unique. It stands alone as a work that probes the questions concerning suffering and God. The events of the book probably date close to the time of Abraham, during what we typically know as the “Patriarchal age,” prior to the giving of the Law of Moses. No one knows for sure when it was written, or who exactly wrote it. But its inspired character is unquestioned.
Job lived in a land called Uz. He is described as a man who was “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” He was also a very wealthy man, “the greatest of all the men in the east.” It seemed like Job “had it all.”
Job could not see “behind the scenes.” He did not know about Satan’s plan to attempt to make Job turn from God. Satan stood before God and make accusations against Job, as being one who served God only because it paid him to do so. If Job were to lose his possessions and family, then Job would curse God, Satan argued. This was allowed. Job responded by worshipping God. Satan then argued that if Job himself were to suffer, then he would curse God. So God allowed Satan to test Job by not only taking his possessions and family, but also by causing great physical suffering for Job himself. This sets the scene for the rest of the book.
Job lost his children, but his wife remained, and she told him to curse God and die. She was no help to Job in this situation. Then Job had three friends who came to comfort him. They sat silent for seven days before they spoke up. From chapter three on, the book records the conversations that took place between Job, his friends, Elihu, and God.
Discussion
1. What kind of a man was Job? Discuss the descriptions given of him. How can we emulate this?
2. How did God express confidence in Job?
3. What charge did Satan make against Job?
4. Why did God allow Job to be tested so severely? Read 1 Corinthians 10:13 and discuss this in connection with Job’s suffering. How can this apply to us?
5. What intentions did Job’s friends have in coming to visit him?