The patriarchs · Job 1–42
Job: Trial and Restoration
In the land of Uz lives Job, a man who is “perfect and upright,” the father of seven sons and three daughters. Before the LORD, Satan claims that Job does not fear God for nothing, and God allows him to test Job. In a single day, raiders, fire from God, and a great wind take his flocks, his servants, and his children. Job bows low: “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Then painful boils cover him from head to foot. His three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, sit with him for seven days without saying a word, then press him to admit some sin. Job protests his innocence. The LORD answers him out of the whirlwind, and Job repents. God rebukes the three friends, gives Job twice as much as he had before, and again gives him seven sons and three daughters.
What happens
- Satan questions Job’s motives, the man who is perfect and upright Job 1:8–11
- “The LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD” Job 1:20–22
- Painful boils strike Job; his wife says, “Curse God, and die” Job 2:7–10
- The LORD answers Job out of the whirlwind Job 38:1–4
- “Mine eye seeth thee”: Job repents Job 42:5–6
- After Job prays for his friends, God gives him twice as much Job 42:9–10
Who is in this story
The lesson
We can suffer without understanding why and still stay faithful: God does not answer all of Job’s questions, but he reveals himself to him. “You have seen the end that the Lord brought about, for the Lord is full of compassion and mercy” (Jas 5:11).
And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
Quick quiz on this story
In which land does Job live?
“There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” Job 1:1
How does Job react when he learns he has lost his possessions and his children?
Job tears his mantle, shaves his head, falls to the ground, and worships, blessing the name of the LORD: “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.” Job 1:20–22
When does the LORD restore Job’s fortunes?
“The LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” Job 42:10
There are many more questions like these in Bible Academy, each with its explanation and verse. Start your free trial.