Characters

Job

Known As

The Sufferer & A Sinner

Where in the Bible?

The Books of Job and James

Did You Know

Job showed great faith and patience through his trials. Though he floundered at one point, even in his darkest moments he still understood that God had given him everything and had cared for him all his life.

Bio – Job

Date: uncertain, possibly c. 1800 BC

We are not told clearly exactly when Job lived, though some scholars believe he lived in the time of the Patriarchs. Nor do we know exactly where the land of Uz was located. These details do not detract from the beauty and importance of the Book of Job, often seen as one of the world’s most magnificent dramatic poems. Eloquent and heartwrenching, it expresses deep emotions and devout faith, tested to the extreme.

Job is introduced to us as a rich farmer and a good man, who had led an honest life, fearing God and turning his back on evil. He was blessed with ten children, and owned vast herds of animals. Yet Satan, in a conversation with God, claimed that it was easy for Job to be upright and faithful when life was so pleasant for him. God agreed that Satan could test Job’s faith, and so, in a short period of time, Job lost almost everything of value, learning that his herds had been stolen and his sons and daughters killed in a dreadful storm.

Even then, though he was wracked with grief, Job famously said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away,” understanding that all the blessings he had received in his lifetime had come from God.

Satan then tested Job further, inflicting him with excruciating sores on his skin which left him writhing in discomfort and misery. Satan was certain that now that he was suffering personally, Job would surely curse God.

Job’s friends came to visit him. Three of them tried to convince him that he needed to seek God’s forgiveness, for surely all these things were punishment for some sin that he had committed. Though Job rebuffed them, his faith was truly tested. He could not understand why he was being tormented and called upon God for an explanation.

When God appeared before the men in a whirlwind, Job finally came to realise that man can never know or question God’s actions—they are beyond our understanding. Job was filled with humility and shame, and repented, acknowledging God’s right as Creator to do as he pleases. Job’s faith was restored, and God healed the sores on his skin and then blessed him. Job went on to live a long and prosperous life, with many more children and grandchildren.

A faith that is untried and untested cannot be truly strong. The true test of strength comes when facing a struggle. We are told in James 1:12, “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Job did pass the test, emerging “as gold”, and his reward was great. God will always reward great faith—sometimes in this life, but always in the next.

Bible Verses About Job

Job 1:1

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

Job 1:21

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked shall I return there.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job 5:17-18

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;
Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
For He bruises, but He binds up;
He wounds, but His hands make whole.”

Job 13:15

“Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.”

Job 19:23

“Oh, that my words were written!
Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!”

Job 19:25-26

“For I know that my Redeemer lives,
And He shall stand at last on the earth;
And after my skin is destroyed, this I know,
That in my flesh I shall see God.”

Job 23:10-11

“But He knows the way that I take;
When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps;
I have kept His way and not turned aside.”

Job 23:13-14

“But He is unique, and who can make Him change?
And whatever His soul desires, that He does.
For He performs what is appointed for me,
And many such things are with Him.”

Job 34:12

“God will never do wickedly,
Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.”

Job 42:5-6

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”

Job 42:16-17

After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days

James 5:11

You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

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