Job’s Character and Wealth
God and Satan agree to test Job, which...
God and Satan agree to test Job, which causes his troubles and confirms his integrity (1:20–21; 2:10). None of the book's characters ever learn of this council in heaven.
1There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.
God gave Job prosperity with many sons, daughters,...
God gave Job prosperity with many sons, daughters, cattle and other domestic animals, and servants (compare Genesis 30:43; Deuteronomy 7:13; Psalm 107:38).
Numbers like seven and three (and 7,000 and 3,000) show the full extent of God's blessings for Job (see Job 42:13; also see Psalms 127:3–5; 128:3).
Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East: The numbers describing Job’s wealth might not be exact, but they are realistic for a wealthy man of that time (compare Nabal’s wealth in 1 Samuel 25:2).
God gave Job prosperity with many sons, daughters, cattle and other domestic animals, and servants (compare Genesis 30:43; Deuteronomy 7:13; Psalm 107:38).
Numbers like seven and three (and 7,000 and 3,000) show the full extent of God's blessings for Job (see Job 42:13; also see Psalms 127:3–5; 128:3).
Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East: The numbers describing Job’s wealth might not be exact, but they are realistic for a wealthy man of that time (compare Nabal’s wealth in 1 Samuel 25:2).
2He had seven sons and three daughters, 3and he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large number of servants. Job was the greatest man of all the people of the East.
4Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
Satan’s First Attack
These sons of God are spiritual beings and...
These sons of God are spiritual beings and members of the court of heaven. They are probably either holy angels or demons (Genesis 6:2, 4). They join God in his discussions, including during creation and in his rule over creation (Genesis 1:26; Job 1:6; Genesis 3:22; 2:1; 1 Kings 22:19–22; Psalms 82:1; 89:5, 7–8; Daniel 3:13, 17, 23, 25; 7:9–14).
It is uncertain in the account if Satan usually came with other court members of heaven to report or if he forced his way in as Job’s opponent.
"Where have you come from?": This question was God’s command for a report from one of his subjects (see Genesis 3:9).
Satan was not roaming through the earth to do God’s will (compare 1 Chronicles 21:1–14; 2 Kings 19:35 is equivalent to Isaiah 37:36; Ezekiel 1:5–9). Instead, he opposes God’s plans (2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8).
These sons of God are spiritual beings and members of the court of heaven. They are probably either holy angels or demons (Genesis 6:2, 4). They join God in his discussions, including during creation and in his rule over creation (Genesis 1:26; Job 1:6; Genesis 3:22; 2:1; 1 Kings 22:19–22; Psalms 82:1; 89:5, 7–8; Daniel 3:13, 17, 23, 25; 7:9–14).
It is uncertain in the account if Satan usually came with other court members of heaven to report or if he forced his way in as Job’s opponent.
"Where have you come from?": This question was God’s command for a report from one of his subjects (see Genesis 3:9).
Satan was not roaming through the earth to do God’s will (compare 1 Chronicles 21:1–14; 2 Kings 19:35 is equivalent to Isaiah 37:36; Ezekiel 1:5–9). Instead, he opposes God’s plans (2 Timothy 2:26; 1 Peter 5:8).
6One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan† also came with them.
7“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan. “From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”
8Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”
Job has a good reason (Hebrew khinnam; see...
Job has a good reason (Hebrew khinnam; see study note on 2:3) to fear God. The wisdom tradition connects being religious with prosperity. Satan suggested that Job's dedication to God depended on his wealth.
9Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Stretch out … and strike all he has...
Stretch out … and strike all he has … Everything he has is in your hands: Satan was God's agent. The hand he used was both the Lord's and Satan's. They acted against everything Job owned and later against Job himself (2:5–6).
Job later cursed the day of his birth, but he did not curse God (3:1, 8; 31:30). This was even true when his upset wife urged him to do so (2:9).
God allowed Satan to test Job to show that Satan's negative view of Job was wrong (1 Corinthians 10:11; see James 1:13; compare Luke 22:31–32; John 19:11).
Stretch out … and strike all he has … Everything he has is in your hands: Satan was God's agent. The hand he used was both the Lord's and Satan's. They acted against everything Job owned and later against Job himself (2:5–6).
Job later cursed the day of his birth, but he did not curse God (3:1, 8; 31:30). This was even true when his upset wife urged him to do so (2:9).
God allowed Satan to test Job to show that Satan's negative view of Job was wrong (1 Corinthians 10:11; see James 1:13; compare Luke 22:31–32; John 19:11).
11But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
12“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.” Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.
Job Loses His Children and Possessions
These attacks took away the blessings listed in...
These attacks took away the blessings listed in 1:2–3. Job was left with four messengers who came to report terrible news and a wife who gave poor advice.
The phrase "While he was still speaking" emphasizes the repeated nature of the attacks (see Jeremiah 51:31). The phrase "I alone have escaped to tell you" emphasizes the complete destruction of Job’s resources.
These attacks took away the blessings listed in 1:2–3. Job was left with four messengers who came to report terrible news and a wife who gave poor advice.
The phrase "While he was still speaking" emphasizes the repeated nature of the attacks (see Jeremiah 51:31). The phrase "I alone have escaped to tell you" emphasizes the complete destruction of Job’s resources.
13One day, while Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
16While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
17While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
18While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”
20Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21saying:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,and naked I will return.The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away.Blessed be the name of the LORD.”22In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.