Tuesday: Job
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 9th of June 2026
When we think of setbacks in the Bible, Job is perhaps the person who first comes to mind. Not only did he lose all his wealth (Job 1:14-17), but he also lost his children (Job 1:18-19) and his health (Job 2:7). His wife then tried to convince him to curse God and die (Job 2:9).
After some time, three friends came to sit with Job. They were so shocked at his appearance that they sat with him, speechless, for seven days (Job 2:13). Eventually, when they spoke, they tried to offer human reasons for why such misfortune had come to Job, but in doing so, they unintentionally increased his suffering. Three friends blamed him, saying he must have some hidden sin in his life to repent of (Job 8:1-22; Job 11:1-20; Job 15:1-35), even saying, “ ‘Surely such are the dwellings of the wicked, and this is the place of him who does not know God’ ” (Job 18:21, NKJV).
How did Job respond? Read Job 19:23-27 and Job 23:8-12.
Image © Providence Collection from GoodSalt.com
No matter the tragic events that surrounded him, and the fact that he didn’t understand them, Job remained faithful. He held fast. He didn’t blame God or curse Him. Instead, when tempted to blame God, he declared: “ ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord’ ” (Job 1:21, NKJV).
We, too, live in the middle of this same battle. Satan afflicts us with pain, suffering, loss, and hardship as part of his plan to distort our picture of a loving God. In such times, we can respond in one of two ways: blame and reject God, or cling to Him with all our might. Although the battle rages around us, we must remember that, in light of eternity, our momentary troubles are but temporary trials (2 Corinthians 4:16-18). There is so much more to the picture than what we see here and now, and one of the great challenges for a believer is to trust God even in the darkest times. God has, in many ways, revealed to us the reality of His love. We must cling to this crucial truth—that of God’s love—even when we might not sense it at the moment.
|
If you are in the middle of a difficult time right now, run to God. Take your Bible and a notebook, and go outside to be with God in nature. Copy down Romans 5:3-5, and reflect on the different messages in this passage, believing that God’s love and care for you is the surest and most stable factor in your life. |
There is a part of the story of Job we often overlook. We always jump forward to the philosophical bit where everybody starts talking and advancing theories about why this and that should and should not happen. But if we wind back to where the three friends visit job we read:
That was probably the best thing they could do in the circumstances. I have had a couple of setbacks during my life and there in nothing more irritating than someone trying to explain what has happened, how it could have been avoided, and what do now. In fact, those thoughts had usually already gone through my mind and what I needed was someone to listen to me. I just needed to get it off my chest! I went to my pastor once over a particular issue and I bellyached about the situation for half an hour while he just listened. At the end of my speech, he asked me if I wanted him to do something and I said, “No, I just needed to tell someone.”
An illustration that may apply: When students came to me with problems they could not solve, they would usually start the conversation with, “I cannot do problem so-and-so.” I would ask them to explain the problem to me. Many times, they would get halfway through their explanation and suddenly, they would exclaim, “I can see it now!” And all I had done was listen.
God is a good listener, even when we are angry, and I believe that in the lull after the storm of anger has passed, the Holy Spirit can do its quiet work on our hearts.
And people pay a lot of money for someone to do just that-to listen to them without the judgement, or offering advise.
It sounds ridiculous in a culture of self-centredness, that advocates for self-help and emphasises life being good when things are easy that setbacks like that of Job can be the greatest comebacks. What we must understand is that the God of good times is the same God during bad times and better still the God of the mountain remains our God in the valleys. It therefore makes perfect sense, that James writes, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2). Job experienced devastating setbacks when he lost his possessions, his children, and even his health in quick succession yet Job choose to remain steadfast in his faith in God. Job declared, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised” (Job 1:21). Walking with the Lord, we learn to celebrate the tough times because it is in these tough seasons that the Lord comes so close, as we draw near to Him, just as He promises in James 4:8.
Setbacks must not be the end of the journey; they are divine setups for a greater comeback. Life sometimes throws us unexpected challenges, loss, rejection an it makes us feel like failures as at times we feel that God has abandoned us, but in Christ, every fall is an opportunity to bounce and rise stronger. Job’s story reminds us that God can restore what has been lost, for “the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before” (Job 42:10). The Bible is filled with examples of people who encountered serious setbacks but emerged victorious through faith and resilience, and Job stands as a powerful testimony that God remains faithful through every trial.
Perhaps nobody (except Jesus) went through more terrible crucibles in the Bible than Job. How did he manage to stand firm regardless of all the painful experiences that he went through?
In my view, there is one foundational factor that held Job together when everything around him collapsed. Job knew God before the tragedies struck.
“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” (Job 1:1, NLT)
In many instances, life’s storms do not create character, but they reveal it. When the storms struck, Job had built enough reservoir of faith (trust) over the years of walking with God to draw from. The faith that can sustain us during times of crisis is cultivated during good times. Faith is not “instant coffee”, but an experience earned from having a relationship with God. Unless our faith is rooted in God during good times, it will never withstand bad times.
Another lesson we can learn from the story of Job is that not all life’s storms have an explanation. God is sovereign; His methods of operation are far beyond human understanding. Job did not survive the storms because he understood them, but because he trusted God. Even though He questioned God, yet he trusted Him. It is ok to ask God questions about what we do not understand. Above this drama, Job had an eternal perspective. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last.(Job 19:25, NLT). May this be our prayer as well, no matter the intensity of our crucibles. Amen.
There was a challenge in heaven and Job suffered for it, unbeknownst to him that his actions will vindicate the host of heaven or bring mockery to God by satan but Job held onto his conviction that God is faithful and will see him through his painful period.
Job lost all he had in a day including his children but he held onto his integrity and replied thus;
“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” – Job 1:21 (KJV)
The devil moved his wife to persuade him to curse his God and die again Job showed integrity and replied thus;
“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” – Job 2:10 (KJV)
It was not until Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite came to mourn with him that Job cursed the day he was born and the rest of the things he said in chapter 3, as if he knew their presence will bring him more sorrow and pain. Without hesitation they showed their real mission from chapter 4, now take a look at these;
“Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,
If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?
Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off?
Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same.
By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed.” – Job 4:1-9
Argument started and Job showed integrity again by saying this;
“Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.” Job 13:15
To them a sinner like Job is not supposed to say such things, and they intensified their accusations till Job got fed up with them
“Then Job answered and said,
How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words?
These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.” Job 19:1-3 (KJV)
The devil’s mission was to use these three men to frustrate Job enough to make him curse or blame God enough to secure the wrath of God. But God intervened and vindicated him.
“Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, 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.
Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and 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.
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.” Job 42:6-8,10 (KJV)
The best friend to have is Jesus!!!!!
Looking through the story of Job, it is easy to find ourselves—as we have always done—focusing on what Job went through and how Job handled it. We cannot resist judging Job’s wife for losing faith, despite the fact that she was also bereaved, affected, and at a loss. We often forget that an entire chapter (Job 1) focuses on Job as the “blameless” man (a discussion for another day) and instead focus on his wife supposedly giving up on God. We obsess over the phrase, “talking like a foolish woman” (Job 2:10).
However, today, since we are focusing on “setbacks,” how about turning the spotlight back on ourselves? I believe the characters who best define what I am about to discuss are Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite—the three “friends” of Job. As you read this, let us examine how we have recently handled a deeply troubled friend or relative during a time of massive loss, and often unexplained, extreme suffering.
The tendency to quickly explain and give reasons for why these things are happening becomes very tempting—even for us Christians. “Did you return your tithe? Perhaps that’s why you are being punished,” or, “How many times do you pray?” The words of Job’s three friends may sound strange, but if we look deeper, and perhaps listen carefully to our own words, they sound very familiar.
“Setbacks” bring confusion, and our role is to visit, encourage, and support—not to judge or convict. The story of Job highlights a common mistake that we make. Instead of encouraging, we promote bondage. Many times, when we visit the bereaved, we worsen the situation by offering explanations and reasoning instead of simply offering a shoulder to lean on. Before Job’s first calamity, God had already declared him “blameless.” In our times of tribulation, perhaps encouragement and companionship are all we need. God offered His listening ear to Job; the three friends offered reasons and explanations. But Job chose to remain in God’s company.
A setback can be a setup for a comeback. Job’s life is a classic example of how God can turn things around. Job’s story is a microcosm of the “Great Controversy” which we all find ourselves a part of. Do we follow the Lord because of the benefits received, or because of who he is? Can we say with Job in the midst of our bewilderment and suffering, “though he slay me yet will I trust in him?”
May we learn from Job’s “miserable comforters” what not to say to someone that is going through a dark period of life. Sometimes the best thing to say is nothing. At those times silence is indeed golden.
Lord, please help us fight our battles and please tarry not to deliver us else we perish. Amen!
Sometimes when we’re in the midst of the storm, we cannot see through the driving rain. We see the lightning flashing and hear the thunder clapping, and we lose heart, and we lose our way. Like the disciples, it’s easy to lose heart in the middle of the storm. To feel like there’s no hope. That’s why what Jesus said when they woke him up in the boat was so profound:
Matthew 8:26
“But He said to them, ‘Why are you fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose and rebuked the winds and the sea, and there was a great calm.”
Faith is what Job had, we always think of him as having patience, but he had true faith. I find in myself very little that is good, it seems that at the most difficult times, my faith waivers like the disciples. I recently lost my job, and have been feeling more and more useless as my search has continued. Like Peter, when I took my eyes off of the Lord, I began to sink into the sea of my own despair and lack of faith.
That’s the one thing that I truly love in the story of Job: through it all, through devastating loss, personal pain and suffering, and through his closest friends and loved ones telling him he is the cause of his own suffering, he held firm to his faith:
Job 1:21
“And he said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.'”
May we as followers of The Most High (El Elyon), Immanuel (God with us), never lose sight of the fact that it was he who came to us, not we who came to him. His hand has always been there to pull us out of the depths of the sea, to calm the storm, to provide the way. God has been teaching me patience, perseverance, and showing me just what is possible with faith like Job.
I will leave you with part of a song I wrote on the subject.
JESUS has done it all, all we have to do is reach back to HIS outstretched hand:
“You don’t have to find the words to say
Just breathe My name… I’ll meet you there!
Start your day with Me, not the enemy
Meet Me in My Word… My voice will care!”
“Walk with Me like you walk with a friend
Through every turn until the day’s end
If all you have is one small prayer,
Or tears you don’t know how to share
Reach for Me… I’m closer than you FEAR
I’ve been here, and I am here!”
“I’ve been here waiting through every trial and tear,
Now step into My arms… let’s walk together from here!”
Since now we know the story we say, though my Lord who may allow suffering and even a sleep till He comes the second time, I will forever trust in Him who is my friend, my God, my Saviour daily. I rely on Him; He is my confident come what may. Even so Lord Jesus come quickly. I put my trust in you. I am confident that nothing can separate me from You and Your love. Romans 8:35-39. And thank-you Lord Jesus for your goodness always. For the detailed testimony of Your care for us in the most trying times Your there for us, as exemplified by Job. 🙏 🙏 🙏.
I consider Job 1:21 to be one of the most important thoughts to recall when tempted to despair because of unfortunate circumstances having started to seriously impact our life and livelihood. Accepting this as God’s spiritual Truth in our fallen world provides the needed perspective for ‘being still’ and to wait upon the LORD – Psalm 37:7; Isaiah 40:31; Lamentations 3:25.
I know that God is a great God. I’m facing a situation in my life that I know I didn’t lie about, and I did the same thing job did with his friends. thank God for the parable many of things to seek the good Lord about concerning it. But even more importantly perfecting ever experiencing these times when they come. Perfecting when we feel like God just isn’t there through his word (abiding), and praising him.
I also went to God about the situation as the good book tell us”come unto me all ye that are heavy laden.” the current events has been wrong from the beginning.
I’ve lost everybody and everything as a Job experience.(Perhaps that’s why) Have to apply the word. I know Job would’ve sought the Lord providing if he had the Bible. Hard seeking God and he isn’t visible or understanding to the flesh. I trust God unto death do us apart. I have fell in love with God of the bible, bestfriend conversations through the bible. I still cry Abba Father. I will fear no evil. I will speak what the Lord have told me to speak. It has cost me jobs, it has caused people to set me up, belittle me, puff up situations to make me look as if I’m mentally disturbed. These people they do this for has made evil sacrifices unto their idol about their kids and has gain power as spoken of in Jude 1:11. and play as a god to me pertaining to it, I sought church after church for deliverance and no avail. My experiences through witchcraft, spells, idol worshipping, causes situations similar to that of Job experience. I’m asking for prayer. I pray for those experiencing the same thing rev 2:10 they capture our souls and we are prisoners to witches and warlocks(asylum camp). I’m asking for the mind of Christ always. I want to be open about it because I know God has never lied to me about who it is that has done this. So many suffer in silence. just like job friends, people think they saying the right thing John 16:2 I pray all be receptive and pause first and go to God about it instead of dealing with the situation to possibly do further harm to the person and or on your part as a friend. Job 42:7-10 Rom 11:9-15
I will choose to speak and die here as memorial. I’m not trying to be Anne Frank but this passage is hitting a spot in life today. Rev 20:6
some of us aren’t going to get to the other side as did Job. I pray our hearts love God nevertheless. God bless.
Dear Rodi, You definitely haven’t lost “everybody,” if you are being honest with God and seeking Him with your whole heart. He will never leave you nor forsake you. He will draw you closer to Himself if you will give Him the time. And if you are with God, that’s worth more than a world full of people.
May God bless you and keep you in His everlasting arms.
It is awesome to know that tribulation can produce something good: perseverance, character, and hope! Hope always means something positive. There is no negative hope! Thus, in the end, if I cling to my Master Love, tribulation will turn into a positive outcome! And Positive is the place I work at, literally!
Was Job a real person or was it just a vision of Moses because it si not clearly known who wrote the book of Job?
I see no reason to believe Job was not a real person. Traditionally we do believe Moses wrote the book, but even if he didn’t, that doesn’t change the reality of it.
Job is also mentioned in Ezekiel (chapter 14) and James (chapter 5) which also emphasizes he was a real man.
I believe some of the nations listed (land of Uz, the names of the friends and their groups) also can be connected to real places. I have heard that Job might have been from the land of Edom. He probably lived in the time of the patriarchs.
Unless a story is clearly a parable or symbolic, I would assume the people are real.