Jeremy Brown's Bible Commentary - Job
Job was a man who lived in Uz (Damascus). He lived the way God wants us all to live, trying not to sin. He respectfully feared God and would not sin against God. 1
Job had seven sons and three daughters. 2
Job owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 oxes, and 500 female donkeys. Job had many paid workers as well. He was the richest man in the area that he lived. 3
His children used to have a big feast on each of Job's and their birthdays. 4
And when the feasts were over, Job prayed over, blessed, and purified each of his children. Job then got up early and made animal sacrifices to God for them all. Job sacrificed to God for each of his kids at each of their birthdays. 5
One day, Satan and some of his angels came before the throne of God. 6
God asked Satan how he got there. The devil said that he'd just left from roaming the earth. 7
God asked Satan if he'd ever noticed Job. God said that there's no other man like him. Job feared God and lived right. 8
Satan told God that Job serves Him to gain benefits. 9
Satan said that God protects Job, his family, and possessions, and that He causes him to prosper and be happy. 10
Satan told God to withhold blessings on Job and Job will curse Him. 11
God gave Satan permission to take everything Job had but would not let the devil touch Job. Satan then left the throne room. 12
One day, Job's children were having a birthday party for the eldest son at his house. 13
A person came to Job and told him that oxen were plowing and donkeys were feeding. 14
An Arabic group attacked and killed your servants then stole the oxen and donkeys. The person who brought the message was the only one to escape. 15
Another person came to Job and said that lighnting struck and killed all the sheep and shepherds. This person said that he was the only one to escape. 16
Another person came and said that the Chaldeans killed the servants and took all the camels. This person said he was the only one who escaped. 17
Another person came and said that Job's children were having a birthday party fos his oldest son. 18
A wind storm came through, destroyed the house, and killed all of Job's children. 19
Job stood up, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell down, and worshipped God. 20
Job said that he had nothing when he was born and will die without anything. God gave him what he had and took it away. Job then continued praising God. 21
Despite what happened, Job didn't sin or accuse God. 22
1AGAIN THERE was a day when the sons of God [the angels] came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (the adversary and the accuser) came also among them to present himself before the Lord.
2And the Lord said to Satan, From where do you come? And Satan (the adversary and the accuser) answered the Lord, From going to and fro on the earth and from walking up and down on it.
3And the Lord said to Satan, Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who [reverently] fears God and abstains from and shuns all evil [because it is wrong]? And still he holds fast his integrity, although you moved Me against him to destroy him without cause.
4Then Satan answered the Lord, Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has will he give for his life.
5But put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse and renounce You to Your face.
6And the Lord said to Satan, Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.
7So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord and smote Job with loathsome and painful sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.
8And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself, and he sat [down] among the ashes.
9Then his wife said to him, Do you still hold fast your blameless uprightness? Renounce God and die!
10But he said to her, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept [only] good at the hand of God and shall we not accept [also] misfortune and what is of a bad nature? In [spite of] all this, Job did not sin with his lips.
11Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, for they had made an appointment together to come to condole with him and to comfort him.
12And when they looked from afar off and saw him [disfigured] beyond recognition, they lifted up their voices and wept; and each one tore his robe, and they cast dust over their heads toward the heavens.
13So they sat down with [Job] on the ground for seven days and seven nights, and none spoke a word to him, for they saw that his grief and pain were very great.
Jeremy Brown 2008