March 4, 2024

Why did God allow Satan to hurt Job?

Job 1

Maddy Alvis
Monday's Devo

March 4, 2024

Monday's Devo

March 4, 2024

Monday's Devo

March 4, 2024

Monday's Devo

March 4, 2024

Big Book Idea

God is at work even when we can't see it.

Key Verse | Job 1:8

And 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, who fears God and turns away from evil?"

Job 1

Job's Character and Wealth

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed 1 1:5 The Hebrew word bless is used euphemistically for curse in 1:5, 11; 2:5, 9 God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

Satan Allowed to Test Job

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan 2 1:6 Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary; so throughout chapters 12 also came among them. 7 The LORD said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And 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, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Satan Takes Job's Property and Children

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants 3 1:15 Hebrew the young men; also verses 16, 17 with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”

22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

Footnotes

[1] 1:5 The Hebrew word bless is used euphemistically for curse in 1:5, 11; 2:5, 9
[2] 1:6 Hebrew the Accuser or the Adversary; so throughout chapters 1–2
[3] 1:15 Hebrew the young men; also verses 16, 17
Table of Contents
Introduction to Job

Introduction to Job

Timeline

Author and Date

The unknown Israelite author of this book presents Job as a person living in Uz (see note on 1:1). Job’s godliness (1:1) matches the ideals of Israelite wisdom literature. He clearly knows Yahweh (1:21). The events of the book seem to be set in the times of the patriarchs (Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob).

Theological Themes

The book of Job concerns itself with the question of faith in a sovereign God. Can God be trusted? Is he good and just in his rule of the world? The book shows that the reasons for human suffering often remain a secret to human beings.

In the book of Job, God seems both too close and too far away. On the one hand, Job complains that God is watching him every moment so that he cannot even swallow his spit (7:19). On the other hand, Job finds God elusive (9:11). Though God is greatly concerned about humans, he does not always answer their most agonizing questions.

At the same time, Job’s friends offer no real help. They come to “comfort” him (2:11), but Job ends up declaring them “miserable comforters” who would console him “with empty nothings” (21:34). These friends represent an oversimplified view of faith. They think that all human troubles are divine punishments for wrongdoing. Their “comfort” consists largely of urging Job to identify his sin and repent of it. These friends are negative examples of how to comfort those who are suffering.

The book illustrates that one does not need to fully understand God’s will in order to be faithful while suffering. Those who suffer need not be afraid to express to God their confusion and questions.

Purpose

The book of Job was written to those who struggle with the question of how God can be good when the world is filled with suffering.

The author does not provide a formal defense of God’s justice. Rather, as Job’s friends offer their inadequate answers, the author shows how their reasoning fails. Then, in chs. 38–41, the Lord speaks in his own defense, bringing Job to fuller understanding (ch. 42).

Even during his suffering and confusion, before God finally speaks, Job can triumphantly declare, “I know that my Redeemer lives” (19:25).

Outline

  1. Prologue: Job’s Character and the Circumstances of His Test (1:1–2:13)
  2. Dialogue: Job, His Suffering, and His Standing before God (3:1–42:6)
    1. Job: despair for the day of his birth (3:1–26)
    2. The friends and Job: can Job be right before God? (4:1–25:6)
      1. First cycle (4:1–14:22)
      2. Second cycle (15:1–21:34)
      3. Third cycle (22:1–25:6)
    3. Job: the power of God, place of wisdom, and path of integrity (26:1–31:40)
    4. Elihu: suffering as a discipline (32:1–37:24)
    5. Challenge: the Lord answers Job (38:1–42:6)
  3. Epilogue: The Vindication, Intercession, and Restoration of Job (42:7–17)
The Global Message of Job

The Global Message of Job

Universal Questions

With its story of one man’s life and suffering, the book of Job raises universal questions. Why do people suffer, especially godly people? Where is God in suffering? Can God be trusted amid suffering? Job’s friends try to answer such questions with superficial and simplistic solutions, eventually earning God’s rebuke (Job 42:7–9).

Ultimately we learn from Job that we can hope steadfastly in our sovereign God. Instead of providing easy answers to hard questions, this incomparably glorious, all-knowing, and almighty God presents to people in all places and in all times the simplest, most powerful, and most universal answer to these questions. God’s answer to human suffering has everything to do with his own infinite goodness and care for his creation.

Suffering in a Fallen World

In the life of Job we see the breadth and depth of human suffering. We see suffering in health (Job 2:7), suffering in the loss of property (1:14–17), and suffering in the tragic death of family members (1:18–19). In Job we also listen in on a discussion in the heavenly courtroom between God and Satan (1:6–12; 2:1–7), in which God delights in the upright life of Job. There we are given a window into the normally invisible reasons for our trials and suffering.

Sin and suffering. Suffering is universal, though the kind of suffering differs from circumstance to circumstance. Sometimes we suffer because of our own sin. There is no such thing as sin without consequences. Sometimes God himself directly chastises his people for their sins. However, Job’s friends are wrong to assume that his suffering is a direct result of disobedience (Job 8:4), and it would likewise be wrong to conclude that all or even most suffering in the world today is divine punishment for specific sins. The speeches of Eliphaz (chs. 4; 5; 15; 22), Bildad (chs. 8; 18; 25), and Zophar (chs. 11; 20) reflect such wrong assumptions.

Common suffering. Another type of suffering is what we might call “common suffering.” This is suffering that affects all people without distinction. It is simply the result of living in a fallen world. It includes health problems from colds to cancer. It includes bad weather, earthquakes, and typhoons. It includes financial struggles, and even death itself. Each tragic incident in Job’s life includes an element of this common suffering.

Godliness and suffering. Not only are godly people afflicted with suffering just as others are, but the godly experience some kinds of suffering due specifically to their godliness (Matt. 10:24–33; Acts 14:22; 2 Tim. 3:12). Faithfulness to Christ will bring insult and at times persecution—suffering that could be avoided if we were not disciples of Christ. We see this principle in Job, for it was precisely Job’s uprightness that prompted God to single him out to Satan and then led Satan to seek to afflict him (Job 1:8–12).

Devastating suffering. Job’s suffering is uniquely profound and painful. Some suffering, we learn, defies any category. We discover in Job that Satan has a hand in some of the suffering of God’s people (Job 1:6–12; 2:1–7; compare 2 Cor. 12:1–10). But even such demonically instigated suffering is not outside of God’s sovereignty. Nor should our focus be on Satan when we suffer but rather on persisting in steadfast faith amid such God-ordained pain. At the very least a lesson to be learned from Job is that our vision and insight into suffering is severely limited. What is not limited, however, is God’s perfect understanding and sovereign control over every event in our lives. In the “Yahweh speeches” of Job (chs. 38–41), God does not engage Job in the details of his questions and complaints. Rather, God reminds Job that God is God and Job is not. God laid the foundation of the earth (38:4); he is God over the seas (38:8, 16), over the stars (38:31–33), and over every creature (39:1–30; 40:15–41:34).

A Global Message of Comfort and Hope

The almighty, all-good God. Despite its focus on challenges and sufferings, the book of Job speaks a message of great hope to the world. We live in a world longing for comfort and hope, and such hope is found in the sovereign God who sees, who is good, and who is faithful. We are not victims of random fate or uncontrolled circumstances. We are loved faithfully and passionately by a sovereign God who works all things for our good (Rom. 8:28). The suffering global church can take comfort amid suffering, knowing that God is pleased with our faithfulness to him, even as God expressed delight in “my servant Job” (Job 1:6–8; 2:3). James 5:11 reminds us that God will fulfill his good purposes and is indeed compassionate and merciful toward his people.

No neat formulas. Living an upright life of faith in God does not exempt us from suffering. This was the fundamental misunderstanding of Job’s friends (Job 8:6) and the reason that their “comfort” was so “miserable” (16:2). Indeed, in Job and in all of Scripture we see that suffering is a part of the experience of godly people, and that suffering is also a means for our sanctification. Suffering is a blessing as through it we learn that God’s ways and purposes are much greater than we can know (chs. 40–41). His purposes and faithfulness are much greater than the achievement of ease and a comfortable life; the global church must not make an idol out of worldly comfort and earthly abundance.

The sufferings of the Savior. Job confessed faith in the living Redeemer (Job 19:25). That Redeemer would one day come and suffer for us on a cross. Here we have yet another kind of suffering, the atoning sufferings of Christ. He suffered for our salvation, bearing the penalty for our sin. It is also our great privilege to share in his suffering (2 Cor. 1:5; 2 Tim. 1:8; 2:3; 1 Pet. 4:13). These are not the sufferings of health problems or bad weather or the consequences of our own folly. These are sufferings that flow from our union with and loyalty to Christ. There is a global attack on the righteous, but God will continue to provide sufficient grace to his people (2 Cor. 12:9).He will grow both his people and his kingdom through such suffering as it is endured in faith.

Our Intercession and Mission of Hope

Though God’s righteous anger burned against the three friends of Job, their folly was forgiven in response to the righteous intervention of Job’s prayers (Job 42:7–9). What then is the Christian response to those who suffer—and to those who cause suffering?

We are to intercede for the world, both in prayer and in life. We are to “comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Cor. 1:4). This comfort must find expression in our ministry and service to those in need both where we live as well as around the world—to orphans, widows, and all those who suffer.

This comfort is most gloriously and eternally known as the church ministers the gospel of new hope in Christ to the world—to the lost, to the downtrodden, and even to our enemies (Matt. 5:44). For the greatest suffering in this world is not the loss of property or even family; it is to be lost in sin, without the living Redeemer.

Proverbs Fact #1: Wisdom

Fact: Wisdom

Wisdom is a key term in Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. The word can mean “skilled at making sound decisions in life.” Proverbs 9:10 states that “the fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.”

Job Fact #1: Comfort

Fact: Comfort

Comfort is a key word in the book of Job. When faced with personal tragedies, Job receives no comfort from his friends (16:2). But when God answers him (see chs. 38–41), he finds the comfort he needs.

Job Fact #7: Three cycles of conversations

Fact: Three cycles of conversations

The book of Job includes three cycles of conversations in which the friends of Job offer their comfort and advice, and then listen as Job responds. The first cycle covers chs. 4–14.

Job Fact #15: Elihu

Fact: Elihu

Elihu is the only character in the book of Job with a Hebrew name.

Job

Job

Job was a wealthy man whom the Bible describes as “blameless and upright” (1:1). When God pointed out Job’s faithfulness, Satan responded that Job feared God only because the Lord had protected and blessed him. To test Job’s integrity, God allowed Satan to take away all of Job’s possessions and his children. In a single day Job lost everything, yet he responded faithfully (1:21). Next God gave Satan permission to attack Job’s health. He struck Job with painful sores (2:7). Job’s wife then urged him to “curse God and die” (2:9). Job’s friends wrongly concluded that his sins caused his suffering, but Job refused to accept this. Instead, Job asked God to explain why he was suffering. God eventually answered Job’s cries, and Job humbly submitted to God’s sovereignty. The Lord then restored Job’s fortune, giving him “twice as much as he had before” (42:10), and blessed him with more children. (Job 19:25)

Study Notes

Job 1:1 The precise location of the land of Uz is unknown. It may be related to Aram (Gen. 10:22–23), where Abraham’s nephew and family lived (Gen. 22:21), or to a descendant of Seir who lived alongside the sons of Esau in the land also referred to as Edom (Gen. 36:28; see also Lam. 4:21). Job’s faithfulness is stated at the beginning and affirmed again in Job 1:8 and 2:3. He is blameless and upright (a phrase also used to describe Noah [Gen. 6:9] and Abraham [Gen. 17:1]). Job is one who feared God and turned away from evil, which is how the book of Proverbs describes one who is wise (see Prov. 3:7; 14:16; 16:6).

Job

Job

Job was a wealthy man whom the Bible describes as “blameless and upright” (1:1). When God pointed out Job’s faithfulness, Satan responded that Job feared God only because the Lord had protected and blessed him. To test Job’s integrity, God allowed Satan to take away all of Job’s possessions and his children. In a single day Job lost everything, yet he responded faithfully (1:21). Next God gave Satan permission to attack Job’s health. He struck Job with painful sores (2:7). Job’s wife then urged him to “curse God and die” (2:9). Job’s friends wrongly concluded that his sins caused his suffering, but Job refused to accept this. Instead, Job asked God to explain why he was suffering. God eventually answered Job’s cries, and Job humbly submitted to God’s sovereignty. The Lord then restored Job’s fortune, giving him “twice as much as he had before” (42:10), and blessed him with more children. (Job 19:25)

Study Notes

Job 1:2–4 The large numbers of children, livestock, and servants, along with the feasting, suggest Job has enormous wealth. on his day. Birthday. Compare 18:20.

Study Notes

Job 1:5 cursed God in their hearts. The Hebrew is literally “blessed God in their hearts” (see ESV footnote). The context indicates, however, that the opposite idea, “to curse,” is intended. The same verb is used in this way, as a euphemism, in v. 11; 2:5, 9; 1 Kings 21:10, 13.

Study Notes

Job 1:6 Sons of God refers to heavenly beings gathered before God like a council before a king (compare 15:8; Isa. 6:1–8). Satan. The Hebrew noun satan is commonly used to describe an adversary (e.g., 1 Sam. 29:4; 1 Kings 11:14). Here it refers to a specific individual (“the Adversary,” ESV footnote) who does not appear to be one of the sons of God but who also came among them. The dialogue that follows reveals the character of this figure to be consistent with that of the serpent in Genesis 3, a character who is also referred to by using this noun as a proper name, “Satan” (e.g., 1 Chron. 21:1; see also Rev. 12:9).

Study Notes

Job 1:6–12 The Lord draws Satan’s attention to Job, initiating the chain of events related in the rest of the book.

Job 1:12 Satan has to ask permission to test Job (see also 2:6). This indicates his authority is under God’s control.

Study Notes

Job 1:13–19 Job’s troubles come from multiple directions in rapid succession. The Sabeans come from the south (v. 15), the fire from heaven (v. 16), the Chaldeans from the north (v. 17), and the wind from the east (v. 19).

Study Notes

Job 1:20 In the wake of his loss, Job expresses both grief (Job . . . tore his robe and shaved his head) and trust in the Lord (and fell on the ground and worshiped).

Study Notes

Job 1:21 In contrast to what Satan suggests will happen (vv. 9–11), Job cries out, “blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job

Job

Job was a wealthy man whom the Bible describes as “blameless and upright” (1:1). When God pointed out Job’s faithfulness, Satan responded that Job feared God only because the Lord had protected and blessed him. To test Job’s integrity, God allowed Satan to take away all of Job’s possessions and his children. In a single day Job lost everything, yet he responded faithfully (1:21). Next God gave Satan permission to attack Job’s health. He struck Job with painful sores (2:7). Job’s wife then urged him to “curse God and die” (2:9). Job’s friends wrongly concluded that his sins caused his suffering, but Job refused to accept this. Instead, Job asked God to explain why he was suffering. God eventually answered Job’s cries, and Job humbly submitted to God’s sovereignty. The Lord then restored Job’s fortune, giving him “twice as much as he had before” (42:10), and blessed him with more children. (Job 19:25)

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Dive Deeper | Job 1

I don't know about you, but it's tough for me to read this passage and not think, "How could God let this suffering happen?" and "Why would He allow Satan to do this to Job?" I can get caught up in feeling so sorry for Job and wanting so badly to point fingers and blame God for allowing Job's tragedy to happen.

But we (myself included) need to look at Job's story differently. Perhaps this story is included in the Bible as an example of how to deal with life when it doesn't go our way, and we're experiencing suffering. Scripture assures us we will endure suffering (John 16:33), so how do we respond when facing the inevitable? Job demonstrates the proper response for us.

Job's first response in Job 1:20, after the Lord has allowed Satan to hurt his family, servants, and livestock, is to worship. He tears his clothes, shaves his head, falls to the ground, and worships. How could Job respond like that at such a time? How is he not angry with God? It's because Job has a right understanding of who God is. He has a reverence for God's sovereignty and chooses to praise God because he trusts in His promised faithfulness. And like Job, we are to praise God in all circumstances because we know He is in control. We know who He is from His Word, and we believe the truth of Romans 8:28 that He works things for our good. And while we can't see what He's doing in the midst of suffering, we know He's working.

Jesus says in the second half of John 16:33, ". . . take heart; I have overcome the world." We live on the victorious side of God versus Satan. God has defeated Satan, and He has also defeated sin and death for our sake. We respond with praise when life on this side of heaven doesn't go our way because we know how it will end. God's glory will get the final word.

This month's memory verse

but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

– Romans 5:8

Discussion Questions

1. What is your first reaction when things don't go your way?

2. Do you believe Jesus has victory over the suffering in your life? 

3. What areas in your life do you need to surrender and let God control?

4. How can you apply Job's example of praising God when things don't go your way to your circumstances today?

As we gear up to release even more features for Join The Journey in 2025, our staff team, unfortunately, no longer has the margin to continue to support the comment functionality. We have big things in store for Join The Journey 2025. Stay tuned!

JC

John Cox

It's a great question "Why Did God Allow Satan To Hurt Job?" and from our perspective anything that brings pain we equate to hurt. The truth is as a child of God we cannot be hurt. We can pass through bad times, pain and suffering, but that's it, just passing through. As you pointed out "Perhaps this story is included in the Bible as an example of how to deal with life when it doesn't go our way..." That's the part we need to focus on and I'm so glad you brought that to the surface. Most of us have read the whole story and know that in the end "The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part." (Job 42:12). Doesn't sound hurt to me. It sounds like a perspective I need to have every single day. Well Done!
GJ

greg jones

Good morning Maddy, I really enjoyed reading your deeper dive. This really resonated with me “Scripture assures us we will endure suffering (John 16:33), so how do we respond when facing the inevitable? Just reflecting one the structure of the whole book of Job some other statements are a challenge for me. “After the Lord has allowed Satan to hurt his family, servants, and livestock” (10 kids and numerous servants die. Stuff is replaceable. We would want our original kids back. Personally I feel the author expects the same reaction from the original readers for this scripture to have its full effect). From chapter 42 the conclusion of the book of Job. “And they showed him sympathy and comforted him for all the evil that the Lord had brought upon him.” Job 42:11b “How could Job respond like that at such a time? How is he not angry with God? It's because Job has a right understanding of who God is.” Also from the same chapter at the conclusion of the book. Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Job 42:3b A point could be made that these are examples of some petty differences. I get that. But here’s why I don’t think they’re petty, and the ESV note [1] points this out, the book of Job has some word play and ambiguity built into it that is supposed to make the reader wonder what the intentions of some statements are. For the record (see the ESV note) the Hebrew word used for curse in verse 5 is barach which actually means bless. That is the euphemism the note is talking about. Verse 21 “blessed be the name of the Lord”, barach is used properly. That intentionally happens six times in the first two chapters so it’s definitely a thing to get the readers attention. Chapters 1-2 of Job are an opening narrative. The last eleven verses are a concluding narrative that tell us Job is right and his friends are wrong. Chapter 3 begins about 40 chapters of poetry, and letting those around him know what’s on his mind. We know how and why God let a bad thing happen to Job because the first chapter tells us. We know Job doesn’t know why it happened because for his part in the poem be blames God for allowing it to happen and he wants God to tell him why. We know his friends don’t know how or why it happened. But from their parts in the poem we know, that they think they know, why it happened. “I don't know about you, but it's tough for me to read this passage and not think, "How could God let this suffering happen?" and "Why would He allow Satan to do this to Job?" I can get caught up in feeling so sorry for Job and wanting so badly to point fingers and blame God for allowing Job's tragedy to happen.” Again I totally get that. I think if we pay attention, although he doesn’t do it here in the first chapter, we will see Job point a finger and blame God. And it’s that blaming and finger pointing is going to bother his friends causing them to call Job out setting up the whole book. Job isn’t going to concede his position. Spoiler alert in the end “After the Lord had spoken these words to Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” Job 42:7
MS

Michael Scaman

If Tony Kushner were to write a summary of Job, he might say: Why did God 'permit' Job to suffer? We cannot use the word 'allow' as it was God who provocatively asked Satan if he considered his servant Job, not once but twice. Job was first brought up by God not Satan. It was a proactive plan with the hidden smile of God behind it and with a purpose beyond anything the people in the account knew. In a world where suffering and redemption collide, we meet Job—a man tested by the divine, his life a canvas of existential turmoil. God's probing question, "Have you considered my servant Job?" sets the stage for a journey through despair and revelation. Job even cursed his own birthday. As Job grapples with loss, his friends' words offer little solace, their arguments circling back one after another repetitively, fueling Job's frustration. The 'friends' got shorter and shorter until one, in anger, stopped speaking. Job insisted, "I know my redeemer lives, even when I won't I will." His friends made not empathetic but angered faces. Job grew bolder and bolder, speaking longer and longer, even demanding an audience with God. Yet, amidst the chaos, a young voice speaks wisdom, challenging the purpose of suffering. "He rescues the afflicted by their affliction and delivers them in their adversity," Elihu said as the wind rose to gale force. Who knew? There can be a good purpose for real suffering. Mind you, Job lost all his children in a wind event. In a climactic twist, an even worse and more powerful wind event rises as the young man spoke and shakes the very foundations of Job's existence, with God Himself challenging and questioning. Despite the darkness, Job, like Jesus, is tasked with praying for the sinners as he suffered, his faith tested to its limits. But in the end, redemption awaits. God raises his suffering servant. God restores Job, blessing him with new children—symbols of hope and renewal. Among them, Jemimah, a name as sweet as syrup,, Cassy sweet as perfume, and the youngest, affectionately called "Little Makeup Box," embody the promise of a brighter tomorrow. Their brothers (aka Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday...) got no names but a party on an assigned day of the week. (You know the not to be missed parties were planned by the girls and held with a confidence in a good God even knowing 10 of their older siblings once died in such a party). Even when Job finally died, the happy-sad event was celebrated with all his children receiving inheritance, along with not a few camels, cattle, and goats—even the girls alongside the boys. As this had never been done before, it caused almost as much talk about the region as the girls' beauty did for a long long time.
SB

Sue Bohlin

Thank you, Maddy, and how wonderful to hear from John Cox this morning! I am so thankful for this chapter where God uses the writer to pull back the curtain on the throne room of heaven so we can see something we would NEVER know apart from this special revelation. So many people believe that "God is so pure, so good, He cannot look on evil" (which comes from Habakkuk's incomplete view of God). And some have taken that belief so far as to say He can't even look at us without needing Jesus as a filter. But here in Job 1 we see Satan striding right up to Yahweh's throne for a conversation. Clearly, God CAN look directly at evil! But also . . . when Jesus, God incarnate, left heaven and came to earth, all He COULD look at was sinful, broken people. That's all that was, and is, on the entire planet! Yet again we see God *can* look on evil, and He does so with compassion for the people infected by it. And a plan to deal with it by locking it up forever.
AL

Amy Lowther

1. “Ugh?” 2. Yes. 3. Everything in my life is surrendered to and controlled by God. 4. Things may not go my way in life, but returning to God to move forward because He is in control is always best and helpful. Mandy - Thank you for sharing your ideas. You give a good reminder in saying, “And like Job, we are to praise God in all circumstances because we know He is in control. We know who He is from His Word, and we believe the truth of Romans 8:28 that He works things for our good. And while we can't see what He's doing in the midst of suffering, we know He's working”. Excellent!
BB

Bill Baldwin

Maybe God knows Job will "pass" the suffering from ha satans tests