The Second Test – Job’s Physical Suffering and the Arrival of His Friends

Date: Wednesday Night, October 9, 2024

Main Text: Job 2:1–13

Job 2:1–13 KJV 1900

1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. 7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes. 9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. 11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every 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 mourn with him and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Introduction to Job Chapter 2:

In Job 2, we witness the intensification of Job’s trials. After he endures the loss of his wealth and children without cursing God, Satan challenges Job’s physical health. The chapter introduces us to Job’s physical suffering, his interaction with his wife, and the arrival of his friends. This section lays the groundwork for the lengthy dialogues between Job and his friends that follow, focusing on the spiritual significance of suffering and faith.

Key Themes in Chapter 2:

1. Endurance of Physical Suffering:

While Job had already demonstrated his faith in the face of material loss, this chapter shows the testing of his physical body, deepening the scope of his trials.

2. Faith Versus Despair:

Job’s response to his wife’s words in this chapter showcases his resolve to trust God, even in the most painful circumstances.

3. The Role of Community:

Job’s friends arrive to comfort him, introducing the theme of how well-meaning people respond to suffering. This theme will be explored in the following chapters.

Section 1: Satan’s Second Challenge and God’s Permission (Job 2:1–6)

Read: Job 2:1–6

Job 2:1–6 KJV 1900

1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 And the Lord said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the Lord, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 3 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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. 4 And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. 6 And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.

Verse 1 (KJV): “Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.”

Discussion:

• The Repeated Heavenly Council:

Once again, we are taken into the heavenly realm where the “sons of God” (angels) present themselves to God, and Satan appears among them. This setting emphasizes the spiritual realm’s influence on earthly events.

• Satan’s Accusation and God’s Confidence in Job:

Even though Job maintained his faith after losing everything, Satan accuses Job of only holding onto his integrity because his health was untouched. Satan’s strategy is clear: attack Job’s physical body, believing that this will push him to curse God.

Verse 5 (KJV): “But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.”

Satan requests permission to afflict Job’s body, and God grants permission but sets a limit: Satan may touch Job’s health, but he must not take his life. This shows God’s sovereignty and protection even in the midst of the trial.

Section 2: Job’s Physical Suffering (Job 2:7–8)

Read: Job 2:7–8

Job 2:7–8 KJV 1900

7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

Verse 7 (KJV): “So went Satan forth from the presence of the Lord, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.”

Key Points:

• The Severity of the Affliction:

Satan afflicts Job with painful sores that cover his entire body. The Hebrew word for “boils” (שְׁחִין—Strong’s #H7822) refers to inflamed, ulcerous sores, a condition that brings physical agony. Job’s suffering intensifies as his body is now tormented.

• Job’s Isolation and Despair:

Job sits among the ashes, a sign of deep mourning and despair, scraping his sores with a piece of pottery. This scene underscores the loneliness and shame that often accompany physical suffering.

Verse 8 (KJV): “And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.”

Job’s actions of scraping himself with pottery and sitting among the ashes is significant in the ancient Near Eastern context, symbolizing grief, mourning, and a form of purification or humility before God.

Section 3: Job’s Wife and Her Temptation (Job 2:9–10)

Read: Job 2:9–10

Job 2:9–10 KJV 1900

9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. 10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.

Verse 9 (KJV): “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.”

Discussion:

• Job’s Wife’s Reaction:

Job’s wife, witnessing her husband’s unbearable suffering, suggests that he give up his integrity and “curse God, and die.” While her words may seem harsh, they reflect a natural human response to overwhelming pain and despair. She is an example of someone who cannot understand why God would allow such suffering.

• Job’s Reply:

Job’s response reveals his continued faith in God despite his suffering. He rebukes his wife for speaking foolishly and reminds her that we should accept both good and adversity from God’s hand. This statement shows Job’s theological understanding that God is sovereign over both blessings and trials.

Verse 10 (KJV): “But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”

• Faith in God’s Sovereignty:

Job acknowledges that God has the right to give and take away, echoing his earlier statement in Job 1:21. His integrity remains intact, even as his physical suffering mounts.

Section 4: The Arrival of Job’s Friends (Job 2:11–13)

Read: Job 2:11–13

Job 2:11–13 KJV 1900

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every 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 mourn with him and to comfort him. 12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. 13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.

Verse 11 (KJV): “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every 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 mourn with him and to comfort him.”

Key Points:

• Introduction of Job’s Friends:

Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar are introduced as Job’s friends who travel from their respective places to offer support. In ancient cultures, friendship was vital during times of mourning, and their coming together to grieve with Job reflects that.

• The Role of Mourning:

These friends demonstrate the cultural practice of sitting in silence and mourning with someone who is suffering. For seven days and nights, they sit with Job in silence, recognizing the gravity of his suffering.

Verse 13 (KJV): “So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.”

• The Ministry of Presence:

Though their words in later chapters will be problematic, here Job’s friends demonstrate the value of presence. Sometimes the best comfort comes not from words but from simply being with those who are suffering.

Application:

1. Enduring Physical and Emotional Suffering:

Job’s experience challenges us to maintain faith even when our bodies and spirits are afflicted. His willingness to trust God in the midst of pain offers an example of perseverance under trial.

2. Responding to the Suffering of Others:

Job’s wife responded with despair, while his friends initially responded with silence. Reflect on how we can support others going through trials. Are we quick to judge or slow to speak and offer compassionate presence?

3. God’s Sovereignty Over All Things:

Job’s refusal to curse God reveals a deep trust in God’s sovereignty. This challenges us to accept both the good and the bad, understanding that God’s plans and purposes are beyond our understanding.

Discussion Questions:

1. How does Job’s suffering in chapter 2 differ from chapter 1, and why is his response so significant?

2. How can we maintain integrity in the face of physical suffering?

3. What lessons can we learn from the way Job’s friends initially comforted him by their silent presence?

Conclusion:

In Job 2, we see the deepening of Job’s suffering through physical affliction. His integrity remains unshaken as he continues to trust in God’s sovereignty. We also witness the importance of how others respond to suffering—both Job’s wife and his friends provide contrasting reactions that will shape the narrative in the coming chapters.

Preview of Next Session:

Next week, we will delve into Job Chapter 3, where Job finally breaks his silence and laments his suffering. This chapter introduces a raw and honest dialogue between Job and his friends, marking the beginning of their theological discussions on suffering and God’s justice.