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Prologue
There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.
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Job’s sons would take turns preparing feasts in their homes, and they would also invite their three sisters to celebrate with them.
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When these celebrations ended—sometimes after several days—Job would purify his children. He would get up early in the morning and offer a burnt offering for each of them. For Job said to himself, “Perhaps my children have sinned and have cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.
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Job’s First Test
One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
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Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
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Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God.
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One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,
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a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,
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Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.
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In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.
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Job’s Second Test
One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them.
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Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”
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So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.
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Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.
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But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.
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Job’s Three Friends Share His Anguish
When three of Job’s friends heard of the tragedy he had suffered, they got together and traveled from their homes to comfort and console him. Their names were Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite.
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When they saw Job from a distance, they scarcely recognized him. Wailing loudly, they tore their robes and threw dust into the air over their heads to show their grief.
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Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and nights. No one said a word to Job, for they saw that his suffering was too great for words.
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Job’s First Speech
At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth.
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Eliphaz’s First Response to Job
Then Eliphaz the Temanite replied to Job:
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Job’s Second Speech: A Response to Eliphaz
Then Job spoke again:
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Job Cries Out to God
“My days fly faster than a weaver’s shuttle. They end without hope.
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Bildad’s First Response to Job
Then Bildad the Shuhite replied to Job:
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Job’s Third Speech: A Response to Bildad
Then Job spoke again:
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Job Frames His Plea to God
“I am disgusted with my life. Let me complain freely. My bitter soul must complain.
