Job 2:9-11

9. Then his wife said to him, “How long are you keeping hold of your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10. But he said to her, “Your speech is as the foolish women will speak. Moreover, shall we receive the good from God but not receive the bad?” In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.

Biblical Context:

            Satan has made a divine wager with God to test Job’s faith. He believes that if Job is striped of everything – his family, his wealth, and his health – he will turn from God. So God allows Satan to take these things from Job. He sits, now, among the ashes, scraping his sores and boils with potsherd (broken piece of pottery with sharp edges). His wife has had it and has no reason to remain faithful to a God who brings calamity on His faithful and obedient followers. Job remains faithful, but grieves what he has lost. He is convinced that God’s will is bigger than his and that there is a reason for his current calamity. His friends come and try to convince him that he must have done something to incur this sort of grief and loss. Yet, Job remains firm that he did not sin and is still obedient to God.

Life application:

            Somehow we seem to have gotten the idea that as followers of Christ, who read our Bibles, pray regularly and go to church we should not suffer. God only wants the best for us right? Right. Except what is best for us is to be obedient and holy, not happy and comfortable. What is worth more, eternity in heaven? Or eternity in hell? Suffering is a tactic often used by God to test the authenticity of believers and drive them deeper into Christ. God wants us dependent on Him alone, and not money, our house, our car, our jobs, etc. I get the feeling that in God’s eyes, we are often times obstinate and stubborn. Thus, to make us holy and obedient, often times we have to learn the hard way. Job suffers like many of us have not; he lost all of his children in a single day. The death of one child is a tragedy; the death of ten children is enough to undo almost anyone. Job grieves, he curses the day of his birth (ch 3), he mourns his loss, he weeps over the foolishness of his friends, but he remains firm that there must be a reason for his suffering. This behavior should serve as a model for us when we suffer: grieve and mourn, but ultimately look and wait on the Lord. Job’s faith was big enough to encompass a God who blesses but also allows followers to suffer for their holiness. Is ours?