The problem of suffering in relation to sin is dealt with in this poetic drama: the story of a pious man’s struggle to retain his faith in God when beset by terrible and undeserved misfortune. The chief participants in the drama are God, Job, and Satan. The problem dealt with is, Why do the godly suffer?
There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters.
His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.1:1–3
There is a council in heaven, when the Lord gives Satan leave to test the faith and integrity of Job:
Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto Satan, whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Then Satan answered the Lord, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? . . . But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand.1:6–12
THE TRIALS OF JOB
Suddenly great blows fall upon Job. The Sabeans steal his cattle and kill his men. Lightning destroys his sheep. The Chaldeans carry off his camels. A wind blows down the house in which his sons and daughters are feasting and kills them all.
Job’s consolation in this dark hour is his faith in God.
Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped. And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.1:20–21
The Lord says to Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job . . . still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.2:3
Satan replies, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. The Lord says, He is in thine hand; but save his life.2:4–6
Job is smitten by boils that cover him from head to foot. Still he turns aside from his wife’s bitter rejection of God:
He took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her . . . What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?2:8–10
JOB’S COMFORTERS
Job’s three close friends come to mourn with him and to comfort him: Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. Job, sitting on an ash heap outside his village, is so ravaged that his friends weep at sight of him.
Now at last he gives voice to his anguish and despair.
And Job spake, and said, Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived.3:2–3
Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly?3:11
For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept. . . .3:13
Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; which long for death, but it cometh not. . . .3:20–21
Then each of his three friends speaks in turn. Each urges repentance; for Job’s sufferings must be the harvest of his own sins.
Eliphaz speaks first: Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. . . .
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.4:3–5
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? . . . They that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.4:7–8
Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust, neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause.5:6–8
He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.5:13
Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty. For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole.5:17–18
Thou shalt come to thy grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in in his season.5:26
Job’s answer is a reproach to Eliphaz for his injustice, and a plea for compassion:
To him that is afflicted pity should be showed from his friend. . . . My brethren have dealt deceitfully as a brook, and as the stream of brooks they pass away.6:14–15
They were confounded because they had hoped; they came thither, and were ashamed. For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. Did I say, bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? or, Deliver me from the enemy’s hand?6:20–23
How forcible are right words! But what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind? Yea, ye overwhelm the fatherless, and ye dig a pit for your friend.6:25–27
My flesh is clothed with worms and clods of dust; my skin is broken, and become loathsome. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without hope. O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.7:5–7
Therefore I will not refrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.7:11
How long wilt thou not depart from me, nor let me alone till I swallow down my spittle? I have sinned; what shall I do unto thee, O thou preserver of men? Why hast thou set me as a mark against thee, so that I am a burden to myself? And why dost thou not pardon my transgression, and take away mine iniquity?7:19–21
Bildad speaks. He reproves Job for questioning divine justice; and he accuses him of hypocrisy:
How long wilt thou speak these things? And how long shall the words of thy mouth be like a strong wind? Doth God pervert judgment?8:2–3
If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; if thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous.8:5–6
Can the rush grow up without mire? can the flag grow without water? . . . So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite’s hope shall perish . . . whose trust shall be a spider’s web.8:11–14
But Job demands to know how man, ignorant and helpless, can prove himself innocent to God—a God of infinite wisdom and terrible might:
But how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered?9:2–4
Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? Who will say unto him, what doest thou?9:12
For he is not a man, as I am, that I should answer him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any daysman [i.e., umpire] betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both. Let him take his rod away from me, and let not his fear terrify me: Then would I speak, and not fear him; but it is not so with me.9:32–35
If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion. . . . Thou huntest me as a fierce lion: and again thou showest thyself marvelous upon me.10:15–16
Are not my days few? Cease then, and let me alone, that I may take comfort a little, before I go whence I shall not return, even to the land of darkness and the shadow of death. A land of darkness, as darkness itself . . . where the light is as darkness.10:20–22
Zophar, his third friend, also reproaches Job. If God were to speak, Zophar says, Job would realize that his sufferings are light compared to his iniquities:
Thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; and that he would show thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know?11:4–8
If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.11:14
Job bitterly replies. He resents the easy platitudes of his three visitors: What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior to you.13:2 He sarcastically rejects their insincere arguments. He affirms his innocence. God has stripped him of everything, has destroyed him in His wrath; yet he has abiding trust in Him—for God knows Job’s integrity and will vindicate him:
No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you. . . . Yea, who knoweth not such things as these?12:2–3
Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will. . . . Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.13:13–15
Behold, I cry out of wrong, but I am not heard: I cry aloud, but there is no judgment.19:7
He hath destroyed me on every side, and I am gone: and mine hope hath he removed like a tree.19:10
He hath put my brethren far from me, and mine acquaintance are verily estranged from me. My kinsfolk have failed, and my familiar friends have forgotten me.19:13–14
My breath is strange to my wife. . . .19:17
My bone cleaveth to my skin and to my flesh, and I am escaped with the skin of my teeth.19:20
Have pity upon me, have pity upon me, O ye my friends; for the hand of God hath touched me. Why do ye persecute me as God, and are not satisfied with my flesh? Oh that my words were now written! Oh that they were printed in a book!19:21–23
For I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.19:25–26
Job asks for fair judgment. He challenges the Lord to answer him:
What portion of God is there from above? and what inheritance of the Almighty from on high? Is not destruction to the wicked? and a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity? Doth not he see my ways, and count all my steps? If I have walked with vanity, or if my foot hath hasted to deceit; let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know mine integrity.31:2–6
Oh that one would hear me! behold, my desire is, that the Almighty would answer me, and that mine adversary had written a book.* Surely I would take it upon my shoulder, and bind it as a crown to me.31:35–36
The words of Job are ended.31:40
THE LORD ANSWERS JOB
Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me.
Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. . . .
Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; when the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it. . . .
And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?
Hast thou commanded the morning since thy days; and caused the dayspring to know his place.38:1–12
Hath the rain a father? or who hath begotten the drops of dew?38:28
Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the bands of Orion? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season? or canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons?38:31–32
Hast thou given the horse strength? hast thou clothed his neck with thunder? . . . the glory of his nostrils is terrible. He paweth in the valley, and rejoiceth in his strength: he goeth on to meet the armed men.39:19–21
He swalloweth the ground with fierceness and rage: neither believeth he that it is the sound of the trumpet. He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha! and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.39:24–25
Behold now behemoth, which I made with thee. . . .40:15
His bones are as strong pieces of brass; his bones are like bars of iron. He is the chief of the ways of God: he that made him can make his sword to approach unto him.40:18–19
Canst thou draw out leviathan with a hook? . . . Canst thou put a hook into his nose? . . . Will he make many supplications unto thee? will he speak soft words unto thee?41:1–3
Wilt thou play with him as with a bird? or wilt thou bind him for thy maidens?41:5
Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it.40:2
Wilt thou also disannul my judgment? wilt thou condemn me, that thou mayest be righteous?
Hast thou an arm like God? or canst thou thunder with a voice like him? Deck thyself now with majesty and excellency; and array thyself with glory and beauty. Cast abroad the rage of thy wrath: and behold every one that is proud, and abase him. Look on every one that is proud, and bring him low; and tread down the wicked in their place. . . .
Then will I also confess unto thee that thine own right hand can save thee.40:8–14
JOB REPENTS AND IS BLESSED BY THE LORD
Then Job answered the Lord, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. . . .
Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. . . .
I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear; but now mine eye seeth thee: Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.42:1–6
The Lord then speaks to Eliphaz: My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath. . . .
My servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.42:7–8
And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.42:10
So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.42:12
After this lived Job a hundred and forty years, and saw his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations.
So Job died, being old and full of days.42:16–17
* The RSV translation is: Oh, that I had the indictment written by my adversary!