Bible Study Guide Day 004: Job 1–5
He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted.
Job 5:9
Previous Day 003: Genesis 8–11
Job 1
Prologue
Job is an upright and blameless man, who fears God and turns away from evil. He has 10 children and a very large household which includes servants, livestock, and camels.
Job’s regular custom is to sacrifice burnt offerings for each of his children, just in case they had sinned or cursed God in their hearts.
One day, Satan presents himself before God and challenges Job’s faithfulness. He claims that Job only fears God because of the blessings he has received and suggests that if those blessings were taken away, Job would curse God.
God allows Satan to take everything from Job, except his life. In one day, all of Job’s livestock and servants are destroyed or killed, and all of his children die in a great windstorm while feasting at the oldest brother’s house.
In response, Job tears his robe, shaves his head, and falls to the ground in worship saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (verse 21).
Despite his loss, Job does not sin by cursing God.
Job 2
Satan returns to God and asks for permission to afflict Job personally, claiming that if he is struck with physical suffering, he will surely curse God.
God grants permission, but forbids Satan from taking Job’s life.
Satan strikes Job with painful sores all over his body, causing him great agony. Even his wife tells him to “curse God and die” (verse 9).
But Job remains faithful and responds, “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (verse 10).
Job’s three friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar hear of his suffering and come to comfort him. They sit with him in silence for seven days and nights before speaking.
Job 3
Job Speaks
Job laments his suffering and questions why he was even born. He wishes for death and curses the day he was born.
Despite his despair, he does not curse God.
Then, Job’s friends engage in a debate about the reasons behind Job’s suffering.
Job 4
Eliphaz
Eliphaz, the first of Job’s friends to speak, believes that God is punishing Job for some sin he must have committed. He says, “Consider now: Who, being innocent, has ever perished? Where were the upright ever destroyed?” (verse 7).
He reminds Job that God is just and urges him to seek Him for understanding.
Job 5
Eliphaz continues his argument, saying that the wicked are always punished and the righteous are always blessed.
He encourages Job to turn to God and repent, in order for his suffering to end.
He also reminds Job that suffering is a part of life and it should not surprise him or cause him to lose faith.