Who was Job in the Bible?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Job, a wealthy and upright man from Uz, endured immense suffering yet never sinned or blamed God. After losing his wealth, children, and health, Job mourned deeply but continued to worship God, saying, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). Despite his wife's urging and his friends' accusations, Job steadfastly continued to trust in God's justice and mercy, famously stating, "Though he slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). God eventually spoke to Job, revealing His sovereignty and wisdom. Hearing this led Job to humbly repent. Recognizing God for who He is and knowing that He is in control allows us to do the same. In the end, God restored Job's fortunes, blessing him with even more than he had before, reaffirming Job's steadfast faith and integrity.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Job was a man in the land of Uz who was "blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil" (Job 1:1).
• Job is renowned for having endured great suffering, and "in all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong" (Job 1:22).
• In the book of Job, Job is introduced as a chief (Job 29:25) with great wealth, measured in livestock and servants (Job 1:3). In fact, it says, "this man was the greatest of all the people of the east" (Job 1:3). Job had seven sons and three daughters and acted as priest for his family, regularly offering sacrifices to God on their behalf (Job 1:2, 5). His character was above reproach, and his earthly possessions were seen by his community as a reward from God for his righteousness.
• One day, Satan came into God's presence. God pointed out Job to Satan, remarking on Job's righteous and humble attitude toward Him. Satan stated that Job's attitude would change and that he would curse God if all those blessings were taken away. God allowed Satan to destroy his earthly possessions. In one afternoon, Job learned that his livestock, servants, and all ten of his children had perished. Instead of cursing God like Satan had predicted, Job "tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground [all modes of mourning] 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'" (Job 1:20–21).
• Satan was also given permission to afflict Job's physical body. Job endured "loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head" (Job 2:7). When his wife saw the calamity that had befallen him, she advised him to "curse God and die" (Job 2:9), but Job said that she was speaking as a foolish woman and asked, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" (Job 2:10). That being said, Job did mourn deeply and even cursed the day he was born (Job 3:1–26).
• Job's friends suspected that he must have sinned in some way to deserve such suffering, and they began to accuse him of possible sins, calling him to repent. In spite of the advice, Job maintained his innocence throughout their lengthy accusations. He never impugned the character of God. Job knew that God is mighty and just and that his only hope was in God's mercy. He said, "If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse" (Job 9:19–20). Job so fully trusted God that he stated, "Though he slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15). Job explained this hope in Job 19:25–26, saying, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God."
• After losing all his earthly wealth, his children, and his own health, while enduring false accusations and disdain from his community, Job continued to hope and trust in the Lord. In his final speech, Job said, "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter, as long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit" (Job 27:2–4). Job declared, "God understands the way to [wisdom], and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens" (Job 28:23–24).
• Job did call out to God saying, "I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me" (Job 30:20). Job ended with "Here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me!" (Job 31:35).
• Astoundingly, God replied to Job and his accusers in Job 38–41. God began, "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you will make it known to me" (Job 38:2–3). God continued by delineating His power and control over all of creation and then questioned Job, "Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it" (Job 40:2). Job replied, "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you?" (Job 40:4; cf. Job 40:3–5). God again spoke of His power of creation. Then, Job responded, saying, "I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know… I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:2–6).
• God also rebuked Job's accusers for speaking falsely about Him and His character, requiring that sacrifices be made on their behalf. After Job offered a prayer for them, effectively forgiving them in his own heart, God restored Job's fortunes. He had seven new sons and three new daughters (Job 42:13), who were given "an inheritance among their brothers" (Job 42:15). Job's reputation was restored in his community, and "all who had known him before, [came to him] and ate bread with him in his house. And they showed him sympathy and comforted him… And each of them gave him a piece of money and a ring of gold" (Job 42:11). Job ended up with "twice as much as he had before" (Job 42:10). "After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons, and his sons' sons, four generations. And Job died, an old man, and full of days" (Job 42:16–17).
• Ezekiel 14:12–14 describes Job as righteous, along with Noah and Daniel: "And the word of the Lord came to me: 'Son of man, when a land sins against me by acting faithlessly, and I stretch out my hand against it and break its supply of bread and send famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast, even if these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they would deliver but their own lives by their righteousness, declares the Lord God.'"

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Job is recognized for his steadfastness as James talks about having patience in suffering: “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful” (James 5:11).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Job's life encourages us to trust in God and to grow in our faith in the midst of suffering. Despite losing his wealth, children, and health, Job maintained his trust in God's sovereignty. Even though he continued trusting God, he still wrestled with Him. He expressed his pain honestly yet never abandoned his faith. His declaration, "Though he slay me, I will hope in Him" (Job 13:15), reveals this ability to recognize what is happening even if he does not understand it and ultimately resting in his deep trust of God's ultimate goodness. Job's humility before God's wisdom and power, even when he did not understand his suffering, serves as a powerful reminder of our limited understanding compared to God's infinite knowledge. Job's eventual restoration and his forgiveness of his friends illustrate the redemptive power of God's grace and the importance of maintaining a forgiving heart. In essence, Job's story encourages us to trust in God's plan, uphold our integrity, express our suffering authentically, and remain hopeful for God's redemption and restoration. Job's suffering was beyond what most people will experience in a lifetime, so his continued faith in God during difficulty stands as an example for others to follow in their own times of distress.

UNDERSTAND

• Job was a blameless and wealthy man who feared God and shunned evil.
• Job endured great suffering, losing his wealth, children, and health, yet did not sin or blame God.
• Despite false accusations, Job maintained his faith in God and was ultimately restored with greater blessings.

REFLECT

• How do you respond when faced with personal suffering or loss? How does the way Job suffered inspire you to respond when you are faced with suffering?
• How can you practice humility and recognize God's sovereignty in your life, especially during challenging times?
• How do you handle accusations or misunderstandings from others? How can you trust God more fully in those times?

ENGAGE

• What can we learn from Job's response to his immense suffering about the nature of faith and trust in God?
• How does Job's story challenge our understanding of why bad things happen to good people? What insights can we draw about God's justice and mercy?
• In what ways can Job's example of forgiveness and restoration inspire us to handle conflicts and reconciliation in our own relationships?