Introduction: ch1-2
In the land of Uz there lived a man named Job. He feared God and lived a blameless life. He had a large family, great wealth, and was highly respected in his land, but he made sure to honour God with all he had.
One day God challenged Satan, pointing out how faithful Job was and how he kept himself from evil. Satan argued that Job only honoured God because he was so blessed with riches and respect, and that if God allowed him to take that away Job would become unfaithful. So God allowed Satan to destroy all Job had: his children were killed and his wealth was stolen and destroyed. But Job was faithful to God.
Sometime later God challenged Satan again, pointing out Job’s faithfulness. Satan replied that Job only remained faithful because his own life was not harmed. So God allowed Satan to afflict Job’s body, sparing him only from death. Satan infected Job with a horrible illness that made boils spread all over his body. Job sat in the ashes of his home and scraped his skin within broken pottery, but still remained faithful, even rebuking his wife who encouraged him to curse God and die.
Three of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, came to comfort him in his suffering. They sat in silence for a week, amazed at his great suffering, until eventually Job spoke:
Job: ch3 I wish I’d never been born.
Eliphaz: ch4-5 You must have sinned, so just repent. You should welcome God’s discipline as a blessing.
Job: ch6-7 God has destroyed my life; I wish he’d finish the job. Either console me or tell me what it is you think I’ve done wrong.
God, I’m just an insignificant man, so why are you making me suffer so much?
Bildad: ch8 Don’t be ridiculous, you can’t accuse God of injustice. Everyone knows he punishes the wicked and blesses the faithful. Repent – he won’t reject integrity.
Job: ch9-10 I know that, but how can I call God to account? I know I’m innocent, but he has destroyed me, which makes me look guilty. Who could act as a mediator between man and God?
I loathe my life, and I must be honest with God about my bitterness.
God, you know I’m innocent. Is it right that you destroy me as if I were evil?
Zophar: ch11 Stop your boasting! You say you’re innocent, but you don’t understand God. You have no idea of the sins God sees when he looks at you. It’s your choice: repent and be restored, or share the fate of the wicked.
Job: ch12-14 Don’t patronise me. Of course I know God is in control. While I’m being honest before God, you think you’re doing him a favour by telling lies about my character. It’s God I want answers from, and he doesn’t need your help. I still hope in him.
God, how can you treat me like an enemy?
Eliphaz: ch15 Your empty arrogance just adds to your sin. Only an evil man would accuse God.
Job: ch16-17 You’re all miserable comforters. Is there someone in heaven to speak for me?
God, vindicate me from these lies!
You all obviously just want to malign me more, so get on with it…
Bildad: ch18 Why insult us? You can’t make yourself an exception to the rule: the wicked get punished.
Job: ch19 Why must you keep attacking me? I’ve been wronged by God. You should pity me, not join in.
But I know that one day I will see God with my own eyes on the earth! Then you will be judged too.
Zophar: ch20 I will answer your insult with wisdom: the wicked are only smug momentarily.
Job: ch21 You’re talking nonsense. Look around you! The wicked often prosper their whole lives. Trying to convince me I’ve sinned really is useless comfort.
Eliphaz: ch22 So are you saying that God is punishing you for your righteousness? Give up your arrogant arguments, just repent.
Job: ch23-24 I wont give up until God hears my complaint. Look at all the stealing, murder, poverty and adultery in the world, and God does nothing. There is no justice.
Bildad: ch25 You can’t question God.
Job: ch26-31 Your wisdom is worthless. You don’t understand God! You say that the wicked get punished, but where is there any justice? I wish God would punish the wicked, because the fear of the Lord is the beginning of true wisdom. I long for the days when I was respected, when I naively thought I would be rewarded for my righteousness. Now I am mocked and God just looks on.
This is my case before God, for everyone to see: If I’ve done anything wrong then let me be punished, but I’m righteous. I’ve helped the poor and orphans; I’ve been there for the needy and won justice for the oppressed. Now I’m just humiliated. I’ve never lusted after women, mistreated my employees, exploited the poor, worshipped money or any other god, I haven’t sinned in my speech or in my heart. Let me be cursed if I’m lying.
A young man named Elihu had been listening. When he realised Job’s three friends had run out of ideas and hadn’t answered Job, he exploded with anger…
Elihu: ch32-37 The wisdom of old age may have failed, but my wisdom comes from God, so let me speak.
How can you say that it’s useless to serve God, and that God is unjust? Who are you to demand justice when you’re a sinner? You should learn from your suffering. God will answer, and he will uphold justice, but it’s not for you to demand an immediate hearing. You must wait for him.
We can only guess at the reasons for God’s actions. He is far beyond our comprehension and you should be in awe.
While Elihu spoke a storm had gathered, and from the storm God answered Job…
God: ch38-40 Let me ask you some questions:
Job, were you there when I created the universe? Do you know of its foundations or inner workings? Have you seen the things in it that humans never see? Do you command the weather, or have any understanding of the warfare that goes on in the heavens? Do you have any control over the wild powers and violence in nature?
Job: ch40 I’m speechless.
God: ch40-41 Job, do you really question my justice to justify yourself?
If you could rule the world better – with anger and punishments – then maybe you could save yourself too.
But look at the powers at loose in it – like Behemoth (who I also created). Can you tame him? Can you defeat the Evil Power, Leviathan?
You need to know about Leviathan: his pride is infinite and he has authority on earth. No human strength could stand against him.
Job: ch42 I’ve been speaking like a fool, about things I could never understand. I’ve been proud and self-obsessed. Have mercy on me.
Epilogue: ch42
After God had said all this, he rebuked Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar for their misleading advice, telling them to offer sacrifices of repentance, and that his friend Job (who had spoken truthfully of God) must pray for them. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored to him the respect he had lost, double his original wealth, a new family and a long and fulfilling life.