Early morning in the land of Uz: a small walled town of rough fieldstone on a low rise with long black tents beside it, great flocks of sheep spilling down the slope and a line of camels small on the ridge, under a calm, clear, empty dawn sky.

The Book of

Job 1

The greatest man in the East, and the question he will never be told was asked.

22 verses≈ 4 min2 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

1–3The testBlameless, stripped of everything, and his cryChapter 1
4–14Round oneThe friends speak; Job answers
15–21Round twoMy Redeemer lives
22–31Round threeThen wisdom, and Job's last defense
32–37ElihuA younger voice
38–41The LORD speaksOut of the whirlwind
42The endJob prays and is restored

Job’s Character and Wealth

Early light over bare stony uplands in the land of Uz: one small man in a cream-white robe and indigo mantle walks a stony path up a bare rise with his staff, flocks far below, the wide land falling away east.

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job. And this man was blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil.

0:07

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

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Job’s sons would take turns holding feasts in their homes, and they would invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

And when the days of feasting were over, Job would send for his children to purify them, rising early in the morning to offer burnt offerings for all of them. For Job thought, “Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” This was Job’s regular practice.

Stylised map · locations approximate

Where it happened

The land of Uz

Nobody knows just where Uz lay. Most place it on the desert edge east of Canaan, near Edom. Two peoples you are about to meet lived beyond it: Sabeans to the south and Chaldeans to the northeast.

Reflect

Regular practice

Job rose early, again and again, to offer for his children. Who do you pray for out of habit and love? Write their names.

Satan’s First Attack

The earth seen from very high: the curve of desert and mountain under broken white cloud, a vast calm light from beyond the frame.

One day the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them.

God

“Where have you come from?” said the LORD to Satan.

Satan

“From roaming through the earth,” he replied, “and walking back and forth in it.”

God

Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one on earth like him, a man who is blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil.”

Satan

Satan answered the LORD, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him and his household and all that he owns? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.

Satan

But stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”

God

“Very well,” said the LORD to Satan. “Everything he has is in your hands, but you must not lay a hand on the man himself.”

Then Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

Question

Quick question

Think back over what Satan just said.

What did Satan say about Job?

Job Loses His Children and Possessions

One day, while Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house,

a messenger came and reported to Job: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The fire of God fell from heaven. It burned and consumed the sheep and the servants, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels, and took them away. They put the servants to the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

While he was still speaking, another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped,

Job

saying:

“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

The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.

Job 1:21

In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing.

Pray

Pray for parents who have buried children, and for anyone who has lost what they built. Ask for honest grief, and for worship that doesn’t wait for answers.

You’ve experienced

Job 1

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A verse to carry with you

saying: “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

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