Wednesday: Job’s Wife
This is probably as good time as any to deal with another victim in the story of Job: his wife. She appears only in Job 2:9-10. After that, she vanishes from the story and from history. We are told nothing more about her.
Image © Jeff Preston from GoodSalt.com
However, considering all that happened, who could imagine the grief that this unfortunate woman went through? Her tragedy, that of her children and that of the other victims in chapter 1, show the universality of suffering. We are all involved in the great controversy; no one escapes.
Compare Job 2:3 to Job 2:9. What similar phrase is used both by God and Job’s wife, and what is the importance of how they both use it?
It’s no coincidence that the same phrase about his holding fast his “integrity” appears in both texts. The word translated “integrity” comes from the same word used in Job 1:1 and Job 1:8, often translated “blameless.” The root word itself gives the idea of “completeness” and “fullness.”
How unfortunate that Job’s wife becomes someone who challenges Job on the very thing for which God commends him. In her grief, in her sorrow, she’s pushing Job to do precisely what God says he won’t do. Though we certainly can’t judge her, what a lesson to us all about how careful we have to be in order not to be a stumbling block to others. (See Luke 17:2.)
Read Job 2:10. What powerful testimony does Job give here as well? See also Phil. 4:11-13.
Job reveals the genuineness of his faith. He is going to serve the Lord both in the good times and in the bad. What’s fascinating, though, is that Satan now disappears from the story and doesn’t appear again. And though the text doesn’t mention it, we can imagine Satan’s frustration and anger at Job’s response. After all, look at how easily he took down Adam and Eve and so many others. The “accuser of our brethren” (Rev. 12:10) was going to have to find someone else other than Job to accuse.
How do we learn to be faithful to God, both in the good times and in the bad?
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There was a day when I said I would have the faith of a Job. 30 years later I have failed miserably. I thank God for his grace everyday and deserve nothing.
You are all obviously scholars. I must speak little and listen more.
I am new in bible study and will start with a question. Job's wife asked Job to curse God, as did Eve give the fruit to Adam. Is there any significant correlation between these two events?
we have free will.
Adam, chose to sin with Eve.
Job chose to be faithful to the end. He was sinless.
The is no correlation between the two events that you mention other than Satan was involved in both of them to some extent.
Jobs wife used a different approach than Eve. Some might say Jobs wife was a bit of a nag. Eve on the other hand was deceived into making "improvements" immediately.
The story of Job presents a number of vignettes throughout 42 chapters. For Bible reading, Genesis is a good place to start. I also refer to 2 Timothy 3:16. Blessings Sethapelo
You have raised a good point Brown, both men were temped to do something wrong by their wives, Adam failed, but Job stood firm. Adam did not have the faith to know that God was able to provide another companion for him, and he was not aware that Jesus already had a plan set up just in case one of them fell - He would die for even one.
Job on the other hand lived in a world where he was aware of sin and of God's goodness, he had faith that no matter what happened to him, he knew that God was good, and that was enough for him. As I said before you have raised a good point, can anyone else shed some light on this topic.
Good question. There IS correlation between the events.
The clue is in Patriarchs & Prophets on EGW commentary about how Eve became an agent of Satan in getting Adam to sin.
The other clues is in Gen 3:16 & Gen 4:7 related to what the Hebrew word, translated, "desire" means. When Job's wife was not able to cope with the negative events, she went into the "desire" mode
I am not sure what the desire mode is, but the belief that bad things happen as a result of sin, such as the young man that was blind from birth and questioned by the Pharisees, is what Job's wife as well as his companions believed. Using the story of Job as recorded in the Bible is the story of Job.
Paul,
I hope you want to find out what the "desire mode" is. It is involved in almost all gender conflicts on this planet.
Look online at various translation of GEN 3:16 and Gen 4:7
Most in churches don't know what that Hebrew word translated "desire" means.
Inspiring man of God - challenges our lives as we live to face what the world is offering us..I would choose how Job would do it "integrity" to the last breath...Thank you Jesus...
Do away with stumbling blocks like father,mother, wife,children, brothers, sisters and self which may block you from serving your God Lk14:26,33.
I think that this needs to be read as: Don't let your family be stumbling blocks to you serving God.
Job's wife is not mentioned again? But he had 10 more children?
That was what came to my mind as well. There was no mention of him marrying another woman. The ten children he had afterwards must have been from the same wife.
Although she asked Job to curse God and die, she too shared the blessings he received late in life. His integrity and faith didn't just bring him blessings at the end, but also to his wife who was once a stumbling block to him.
Our faithfulness can bring blessings upon our family not just upon us as individuals.
Don't you believe that Job's wife was heart sick and heart broken because of all that was lost and the loss of her children. Job being so miserable must have tipped her over the edge. Surely she didn't want her husband to be so miserable, in so much pain. She must have been exhausted, so she gave in to temptation. Surely it would be better for him to die than to keep suffering? surely she was being compassionate?
I'm not Job's wife, but I am trying to see it from her perspective.
[Redacted] What we must see in this brief mention of Job's wife is the powerful temptation it must have been, yet Job's faith was further revealed in his perfect trust of God, no matter what. Such an important story in scripture!
We can learn to be faithful to God in the good times and the bad times, by developing a strong relationship with our God. And we develop a strong relationship with God by praying,praising him, and reading the word of God. In due time we will trust him so much, that we will never doubt him.
In the lesson it says that Job's wife speaks then she is no more in the story
I have a question with whom did Job have the children after the trials
Good question Myrtle, I would think that he remained married to her, and that she was the mother of the new set of children.
I think we can learn to be faithful to God in good times and bad ,firstly when we understand and have the right concept of who God is,secondly, our love for God can enable us to endure both hardship and blessings.
Job's wife was acting on emotion. Job was her man and he knew his integrity more than anyone. When you loose your whole world: your income (sheep), transportation (camels) children and probably grandchildren also. Your husband is covered in sickness and at the point of death. They didn't have medicine like us. She has lost her world.
As a hospice nurse you come to a point it is ok to let family go who is suffering tremendously. I think this is where she is in her grief. I would rather you die than see you suffer anymore. The words she used, "Curse God and die" were words she thought were a quick death, short of taking his life her self.
I think it strange that Satan wasn't allowed to touch her, would that have been too much for Job to endure?
It's easy for us to condem Job's wife. Based on our actions in time of trials we often behave just like her. I believe that God allowed her to live to see and share in the reward of her husband's faithfulness. The bible tells us Job was blessed with sons and daughters, without mentioning a new wife.
What is the role of Job's wife in the whole plot of the book in the context of the great controversy?
Simeon, I have come to see it as a simple example of what we will often face from those closest to us, yet, like Job, we can exercise faith and not be overcome as Adam was from such a powerful influence. Jesus said we must love Him even more than our spouse. Job clearly loved and trusted God supremely.
My comment is to Brown. Congratulations on the decision to begin studying the word of God (The bread of life). I don't believe that there is a direct correlation between Job's wife and Eve, but I think I do see a symbolic link between the two. Very astute of you to notice. It was a very good question.
In response to the question asked by one of the commenter if there's any correlation between Job's wife and Eve, i think there is.
But first of I wish to express another correlation: Adam and Eve, Job and Jesus Christ. From the thought of some commenters in yesterdays study, Adam & Eve whom were created without sin, fell easily cos they couldn't imagine the damage that sin can cause. On the other hand, Job being born in sin, knew the nature of sin hence, he stood firm and was victorious (by the grace of God).
Now as regards our Saviour Jesus Christ, many are of the opinion that He was able to live a sinless life while on earth because He was not fully a human, reason being, He was conceived by a virgin. But this erroneous view can be struck out with Job's.
This brings me to the correlation between Job's wife & Eve. I don't think it was a coincident that that Job's wife raised the same issue that was a cause for debate between God & satan, rather i think just as Eve was tempted to eat from the forbidden tree, so also was it impressed upon the heart of Job's wife, by the Tempter, to challenge Job to curse God. This lesson here is that we sinful beings unlike Adam & Eve but like Job can withstand the viles of the Devil.
How do we learn to be faithful to God, both in the good times and in the bad?
Yes we can and that is if we learn to be content in whatever situation we find ourselves, believing on God's good plan for us and knowing that everything is working together for our good. God bless you
We are all entitled to our opinions and probably best to leave it that way. The determined differences will remain after most is forgotten.
AMEN
We know do we not that our Lord overcame in every one of the following areas in His sojourn in the wilderness....
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh,(resisting the temptation to turn stone to bread), and the lust of the eyes,(resisting the temptation to accept royal honors from Satan) and the pride of life, (resisting the temptation to be presumptuous by forcing His Father into presenting His Son's 'credentials' too early)is not of the Father, but is of the world.
So also could Job be a type of Christ in his humility to allow his heavenly Father God to be sovereign in his life?
We as God's people must be very careful about what we say "the tongue"when we face trials and temptatios in our journey of faith.Although Bible did not mention the name of Job's wife;she is always remembered by her words.
We should be careful to not be too harsh in our critique of Job's wife. Debbi B's comment that she thought it strange that Satan was not allowed to touch Job's wife is worth noting. From Mrs. Job's reaction to Job's trial it is clear that this was too much for her to handle.Can you imagine the unspeakable grief this woman must be going through? To loose ALL 10 of your children at the same time? Her words to Job "curse God and die" came from a place of unspeakable pain and brokenness. In the end God restored Job's relationship with his wife and blessed her again with 10 children. I'm thankful that God understood the pain that she was going through. And although Satan did not physically touch her directly, she was also directly affected. The loss of her world - children and livelihoods, and a husband struck down with an incurable disease- although Job was the direct object of Satan's "wager" with God, his wife was also directly going through this terrible trial.
if we can place ourselves in her situation , Jobs friends were comforting him sitting with him, she lost everyting, and she even had to see her husband suffer, he was the priest of the house in her mind , maybe she was thinking, God is punishing us for somthing Job did, I can't live like this anymore let it end.. Thus her word.. Put yourself in her shoes what would you do?
A tale of 3 wives , 3 husbands , 3 different outcomes.
Eve -Adam- both fell :Gen 3
Job's wife-Job- He maintained his integrity : Job 2:9
Lot's wife- Lot-She couldn't let go of her past and was turned into a pillar of salt : Gen : 19
we really need to stand firm in our faith.
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth,i smetyms prefer to be like Job not for sinning buh in good tyms wiz our God
i looked up the desire in sda bible commentary the Hebrew word shuq desire means "to run after, to have a violent craving for a thing,"indicating the strongest possible desire for it. though oppressed by man and tortured by the pains of childbirth, the women would still feel intense desire for her husband.Commentators have been divided in their opinion as to whether this is part of the punishment. It seems reasonable to conclude that this desire was given to alleviate the sorrows of womanhood and to or longing the hearts of husband and wife ever more closely together.
strong concordance for Genesis 3:16 teshuwqah means sense of stretching out after a longing -desire
gen 4:7 desire shuwq shook to run after or over ie over flow
The last part: Satan disappears for ever from the story. I believe, and this is just my humble opinion, Satan saw no room for darkness , because the chamber of Jobs heart was filled completely with the light of God's presence. I also suppose that God told Satan enough is enough. I do believe that God protects us from the wiles of Satan, trickery if you will, if we ask. Matthew 6:13.
John, did Satan stay out of the picture with Jesus? There is no way Satan, the epitome of foolish pride, would back off from Job. Maybe not permitted to "touch" him anymore, but persistent nonetheless with endless temptations and accusations "day and night". The devil will go nowhere until the lake of fire rids creation of his evil presence. Pity, the results of a once-perfect creature formed in the image of God.
In the question discussing Job 2:10, how do we look at Job's words; "though HE slay me..."? Does anyone believe Job really thought God was the source of the evil circumstances that fell upon him like hail? Does anyone believe Job was ignorant of Satan's existence?
I believe Job is acknowledging God's sovereignty over the adversary, and that God has allowed Satan to bring the woes. Job's lack of acknowledging Satan only shows his absolute understanding of God being in full control over all things. I have to conclude from Job's perfect trust and his understanding of God whom he never misrepresented(according to God's own statement to Job's friends), tells us that Job understood who the real foe was. How could he maintain the hope he expressed otherwise? We also have right there in Job 2:10; "In all this Job did not sin with his lips."
Anyone have some thoughts on this?
In reading and re-reading the book of Job, I see no reference to an "adversary" of God or any supernatural evil power in opposition to God by Job or his friends. It looks to me as though these ancient patriarchs were focused on God both Creator and Sustainer with supreme power over this earth. We know there's an adversary who is causing Job's troubles, because the writer withdraws the curtain and gives us a glimpse into the unseen. But Job and his friends had no such advantage. That's what makes the trials so excruciating to Job. As far as he knew, God was causing his suffering, and he could not understand why. That's why he called God his "adversary" whom he wished he could confront. (Ps 31:35) And that's also what makes his affirmation of faith in God in spite of his inability to understand so dramatic.
The whole book of Job wrestles with the problem of suffering in the lives of God's faithful people and - by extension - the problem of suffering in the face of a loving and righteous God.
In conclusion, Yes, I believe Job deemed God the source of his circumstances. There's nothing in the book to allows me to conclude otherwise.
Actually there is plenty in the book to tell us otherwise.
Think of this, if you thought God was it, with no (other) adversary in existence, and terrible evil befell you, would you still look to Him as your redeemer, creator and source of every blessing? Job's faith was too strong to be ignorant of the facts passed down from Adam to his generation through Noah's faithful descendants. Job did not sacrifice in ignorance, but in faith and understanding. Faith cannot exist in fables or false information. How do you think Job knew about the resurrection of the righteous who died if not from the preaching of Enoch being passed down? Keep in mind he never sinned in all he stated, which indicates he spoke from the position of God as the sovereign, and all that the adversary would do must come with God's allowance. If you look at Job's thoughts with this perspective, it makes sense. It's also true isn't it? God even told Satan that He(God) had moved against Job, by allowing Satan to attack Job. Unless you believe God had actually brought the calamity and death to Job's possessions and family Himself. Do you? I would be surprised if you did.
For such a faithful servant as Job, which God pointed out to Satan twice in the beginning, surely God imparted the Holy Spirit in great measure, along with wonderful insights of the controversy. Why would they need to point it out if it was well understood by them, especially knowing God would have to give Satan the ok to carry out his crimes against the innocent?
Does anyone really believe that Job and others who feared the Lord in His day actually believed God was the author of all the evil in the world? God as Sovereign: yes. God as only source of evil: impossible, not with the faith and knowledge expressed. I just can't see it.
I'm very open to any sound arguments either way, as I am seeing this unfold with real certainty.
One other idea to consider, if as a child, your dad gave permission for the neighborhood bully to come into your house and beat you up and steal your toys while dad did nothing but watch, who would you feel was the real cause of your troubles? Especially if your dad had promised to protect you because He loved you. Would you still trust your dad with unswerving allegiance?
Isn't all this rather clear given all the details in the narrative?
Robert, thank you for sharing your feelings regarding why you believe that Job was well aware of the role of Satan.
But you imply that there is evidence in the book of Job regarding Job's understanding of Satan's role in his suffering, and I do not see you referring to such evidence.
I have no inside knowledge regarding whether or not Job or his friends were in any way aware of Satan's role, other than what the book says, and I don't see it there. Perhaps you do and can point me to it.
Am I correct in understanding you to say that faith in God provides special insight into God's dealings with us? In other words, if I have faith enough I will know just why things are happening to me? (I don't see that in Job. To me, the story is powerful especially because Job trusts God even though he does not understand Him.)
I find your last couple paragraphs confusing. You wrote:
In your analogy, would the "dad" not play the role of God, as in the story of Job? So exactly what is "rather clear"??
I'm not sure how you are understanding the analogy Inge.
First, the child's (our) main complaint would not be with the bully (Satan) so much as with the father (God) who could have stopped all the trouble. Let's say Job knew there was an adversary (I just can't imagine he didn't), wouldn't his perplexity still be with God who must allow Satan to work evil towards the righteous? There would/should be no puzzlement over why Satan would want to harm God's people, so why direct his complaint to that issue? God is Sovereign and keeps the way of His servants. Can we believe that all the promises to Israel of blessing and prosperity for faithful obedience along with curses and affliction for disobedience was first introduced to them? God does not change, never has, never will. This truth of blessing for the obedient is an observable fact since creation of this world. Look at what happened with one departure from God's statutes when the world was perfect.
Listen to the friends of Job, though they misapplied the problems of Job much as the Jews did when people seemed smitten of "God" in their day, yet Job's friends define well the calamity for the wicked and blessings for the righteous. They had no written Word of God, but the generations had shown this to be true, or why else would they, or us, believe it? We now have such promises throughout the written Word, yet the principle was always there. Jesus straightened that matter out, stating that for the glory of God that bad often happens to the righteous, as it did with Job. There is an adversary and often it makes no sense when God allows evil to prevail. With Job, some seem to not see all the answers clearly, but if you take the story of Joseph, which is really no different, we see a specific outcome that makes sense of all the seeming bad things that stole Joseph from home where he wanted to be. Job teaches us that the same accusations existed against Joseph and God allowed Satan to do his worst, and again, God was glorified in the end through Joseph's faithfulness even when facing what seemed would be certain death. We could say the same for Daniel and his 3 companions, as well as others. Remember Hebrews 11?
[Repetition of previous argument redacted.]
Hi Robert, you rightly say that Job and his friends concerned themselves with God's responsibility in Job's suffering. The way I see it, the issue of an "adversary" is simply not addressed in the book. God is deemed responsible.
I would further suggest - as I did in my Sabbath school class - that it's not a matter of God consulting a check list before pouring out His blessings, but that compliance with God's laws naturally results in blessings, because that's the way God made us and the world. Unless, of course, Satan interferes, which he often does.
But then, class members pointed out that God goes pours out His blessings on the just and the unjust. 🙂
Are we correct to assume these men were ignorant of a basic truth? How could God, who creates only the "good" and "very good" be accused of such heinous acts against a righteous man? Adam was faithful to warn of the devil and his devices, yet we want to see these men unaware of such vital knowledge. If aware of God, why not His adversary in a world now fallen into sin? Would God want to hide this fact from sinners He desired to save?
God spoke with Job and doesn't correct him of wrongfully accusing God of being a devil. He also told Job's friends " ...ye have not spoken of me [the thing that is] right, as my servant Job [hath]." If Job's intent was to accuse God of being evil Himself and the One active in Job's ruin, could God have spoken the truth in these words to Job's friends? Don't we need to measure every word and understand its full meaning when we study the Bible? Don't these considerations give us a right understanding of Job's complaint? It's also important for us to realize what we imply with our conclusions. Had God been actually accused of the evil Himself, wouldn't He be expected, as with the owner of the field in Jesus' parable, to say "an enemy hath done this."? To me, God's silence on that matter tells me the men never inferred God was the evil agent Himself, but the Sovereign who allowed it. How could they speak so highly of His righteousness and justice while believing God is also the evil in this world? I don't see these men believing God was such a capricious being.