Topical Bible: Faith: Trial of Job, by Affliction and Adversity

◄ Faith: Trial of Job, by Affliction and Adversity ►

Jump to: Nave's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The trial of Job is one of the most profound narratives in the Bible, illustrating the testing of faith through severe affliction and adversity. The Book of Job, found in the Old Testament, provides a detailed account of Job's trials and his unwavering faith in God despite immense suffering.

Background

Job is introduced as a man of exceptional integrity and piety, living in the land of Uz. He is described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1). Job's life is marked by prosperity, with a large family and substantial wealth, making him "the greatest man of all the people of the East" (Job 1:3).

The Heavenly Challenge

The narrative begins with a heavenly assembly where Satan challenges Job's faithfulness, suggesting that Job's piety is due to his prosperity. Satan posits that if Job were to lose his blessings, he would surely curse God. The LORD permits Satan to test Job, but with the stipulation that Job himself must not be harmed (Job 1:6-12).

The First Wave of Afflictions

In rapid succession, Job experiences catastrophic losses. His oxen and donkeys are stolen, his sheep and servants are consumed by fire, his camels are taken by raiders, and, most devastatingly, his children perish in a sudden calamity (Job 1:13-19). Despite these overwhelming losses, Job's response is one of worship and submission: "Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21). In all this, Job does not sin or charge God with wrongdoing (Job 1:22).

The Second Wave of Afflictions

Satan, undeterred by Job's steadfastness, seeks further permission to afflict Job physically. The LORD allows this, with the condition that Job's life be spared (Job 2:1-6). Job is then struck with painful sores from head to toe, leading him to sit among the ashes in despair (Job 2:7-8). Even when his wife suggests he curse God and die, Job maintains his integrity, rebuking her and affirming his acceptance of both good and adversity from God (Job 2:9-10).

The Dialogue with Friends

Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—come to comfort him, but their discussions quickly turn into debates about the nature of suffering and divine justice. They argue that Job's suffering must be a result of sin, urging him to repent. Job, however, maintains his innocence and seeks understanding from God, expressing his anguish and confusion while still holding onto his faith (Job 3-31).

The Divine Response

After a lengthy discourse, God answers Job out of the whirlwind, challenging Job's understanding of divine wisdom and the complexities of creation (Job 38-41). Job humbly acknowledges his limitations and repents in dust and ashes (Job 42:1-6).

Restoration

In the epilogue, God rebukes Job's friends for their erroneous counsel and restores Job's fortunes, granting him twice as much as he had before. Job's latter days are blessed with renewed prosperity, a new family, and a long life (Job 42:7-17).

Significance

The trial of Job serves as a profound exploration of faith under duress. It challenges the simplistic equation of righteousness with prosperity and suffering with sin. Job's account underscores the sovereignty of God and the mystery of His purposes, encouraging believers to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 1:1
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Job 2:1
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.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Blessed Adversity.
... One only of all his family"his wife"seems to have been left to Job. ... a spiritual help
to him in this hour of sorrow and trial, she lost faith in GOD ...
//christianbookshelf.org/taylor/a ribband of blue/blessed adversity.htm

The Sweet Uses of Adversity
... this great assembly, some who have come to Job's position ... know that thou hast faith,
until thy faith be exercised ... That may be the reason of your trial, to put an ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the sweet uses of adversity.htm

Treatise vii. On the Mortality.
... a testimony, saying, "Hast thou considered my servant Job? ... from the truth of virtue
and faith, but strengthens ... This trial, that now the bowels, relaxed into a ...
/.../cyprian/the treatises of cyprian/treatise vii on the mortality.htm

Abraham, his Trial in Egypt; his Humility
... 732]290; how said, only after Abraham's trial to know ... its proper work, [815]17;
superseded by faith, [816]18 ... Job's wife, her advice inspired by the devil, [951 ...
/.../abraham his trial in egypt.htm

The Scales of Judgment
... is not sufficient; he would have you see whether your faith can stand the test of
trial and trouble ... Remember Job; what a scale was that in which he was put ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/the scales of judgment.htm

Lives of Faith and Trust
... moments, yes, days of distress and intense trial, when, with ... and brought forth fresh
work for faith and prayer. ... as Jacob, David, Moses, Joseph, Job and Jeremiah ...
/.../various/the wonders of prayer/lives of faith and trust.htm

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
... of whom the world was not worthy, had trial of cruel ... A Christian sees heaven by faith,
end testes it by joy ... man have the candle of God shining' on him (Job 29:3 ...
/.../watson/the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/3 the godly are in.htm

Meditations for the Sick.
... He refines and tries their faith, as the goldsmith ... of our Christian virtues; which,
without this trial, would rust ... enemy: yet, then to say with Job, "Though thou ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bayly/the practice of piety/meditations for the sick.htm

Aaron, his Office no Palliation of his Sin, 61.
... Faith, different degrees of, [147]215, [148]216. ... of the, under all forms of trial,
[182]219 ... Job, his thanksgiving amidst affliction, [223]183; consideration of ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/aaron his office no palliation.htm

Marah; Or, the Bitter Waters Sweetened
... O that we might have grace rather to say with Job, "Though he ... his power has slain
my unbelief;" yet a new trial has occurred, and our faith, where was ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 17 1871/marah or the bitter waters.htm