Lessons From Job in the Bible

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Imagine living an upstanding life and seeking God in all that you do. You have a pure heart before God, and you’ve done nothing wrong, but you find yourself losing everything you have. How would you feel? Would you turn away from God? Let’s take a look at the Old Testament to learn some valuable lessons from Job in the Bible.

What happened to Job in the Bible?

Job was a blameless man of complete integrity. He feared God, stayed away from evil, and lived a life that was pleasing to God. Job was blessed as a result.

He had seven sons and three daughters, thousands of animals, and many servants. The Bible says Job was the richest person in the area!

Satan Wanted to Test Job

One day, the members of the heavenly court went before the Lord, and Satan, the Accuser, went with them. Satan told the Lord that he had been patrolling the earth, watching everything that was happening. 

God sang Job’s praises and asked Satan if he noticed Job, a man of complete integrity. Satan responded saying that Job had good reason to fear God. There was wall protection around him, his home, and his property. God caused him to prosper in everything that he did. 

He told God, “But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!” (Job 1:9)

God gave Satan permission to test Job, and do whatever he wanted as long as he didn’t harm Job physically.

Job’s First Test

These are the tests and trials that Job went through:

• His animals were stolen by Sabean raiders and his servants were killed
• A fire fell from heaven and burned up his sheep and shepherds
• Chaldean raiders stole his camels and killed his servants
• A powerful wind swept in and caused his oldest son’s house to collapse, killing all his sons and daughters

Job tore his robe in grief, shaved his head, and fell down in worship. He did not sin by blaming God despite all that happened to him.

Job’s Second Test

Satan went before God again, and the Lord sang Job’s praises once more. Satan then asked to take away Job’s health. God agreed, but instructed him to spare his life. Here are the trials Job went through in the second test:

• He had terrible boils from head to foot (he was barely recognizable)
• His wife told him to curse God and die
• His friends were not encouraging and they accused him of doing evil

Job’s friends went to visit him and sat for seven days in silence with him as he mourned. 

What did Job do in the Bible?

Job didn’t do anything wrong. Satan went to seek God’s permission to test Job’s faithfulness to God. 

John 10:10 says, “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My purpose is to give them a rich and satisfying life.”

Satan is a thief, and he used that as an opportunity to attempt to steal from Job. However, in the end, God proved faithful to Job because Job was faithful to God.

Job and his friends had conversations about Job’s situation. His friends tried to convince him that he must’ve done something wrong, committed evil, and deserved punishment. 

Job grew irritated with his friends, defended himself, and began to ponder God’s relationship with man. He questioned God’s actions.

Finally, God responded to Job. He asked him rhetorical questions to show Job how little mere man knew about the power of God.

Job admitted the limitations of his human knowledge, and he also acknowledged God’s power. He then interceded for his friends because God was upset with them for giving him theologically unsound advice.

God forgave them all and restored Job’s fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before!

What did Job get in the end?

These are the things God blessed Job with in the end. (Job 42)

• His brothers, sisters, and old friends came to feast with him
• They consoled and comforted him, and they each gave him money and gold rings
• He received thousands of animals (more than before)
• He had seven more sons and three more daughters
• In all the land no women were as lovely as the daughters of Job. (Job 42:15)
• He lived 140 more years- living to see four generations of his children and grandchildren

What is the Lesson of Job in the Bible?

There are a few lessons that we can learn from Job.

Key Lesson:

There are times we may go through a trial or some suffering, and it isn’t because we did anything wrong. It doesn’t automatically mean we’ve sinned and are being punished.

If we did not sin, it’s possible that the suffering is a test. Just like in school, tests can sometimes be challenging, but they are designed to reflect our knowledge.

In the same way, spiritual tests may sometimes be challenging, but they are designed to reflect our character and our heart for God.

Just like you wouldn’t be mad at a teacher for administering a test, don’t be angry with God when He allows a test in your life.

Job teaches us to remain faithful to God no matter what, and to believe that ultimately God has a good plan for our lives.

1. Trials and suffering are not always a punishment for sin.

Job was not being punished for sin. Satan thought he could get Job to turn away from God if he was faced with trials. ( Job 1:8-11)

2. It’s okay to express your honest feelings to God in prayer.

In the Bible we can see that Job talked to God, and told Him exactly how he was feeling as he was suffering. (Job 7:11)

3. Friends and family may sometimes let you down when you need them most.

Job’s wife and friends did not provide any comfort or encouragement during his trials. They failed him by offering words that lacked hope. (Job 2:9, Job 5:1-7, Job 18:1-21, Job 11:1-20)

4. God can use trials and suffering to teach us about Him.

During his suffering, Job learned that God is omniscient, omnipotent, sovereign, independent, holy & that He revealed Himself. (Job 42)

5. It’s important to stay faithful to God even through trials & suffering.

We see that in the end, Job was blessed for his faithfulness to God. (Job 42) His initial response during attacks of the enemy was to worship God. (Job 1:20)  This shows us the state of his heart. As a result of his faithfulness, God restored him. 

6. God has the ability to restore what was lost during a trial or time of suffering. 

Job lost a lot in the beginning. He almost lost everything. In the end, God restored what he lost, and even blessed him with twice as much as before. (Job 42:10)

Final Thoughts on Job in the Bible

If you’re going through a trial or a time of suffering, use the book of Job as encouragement. Everyone falls on hard times at one time or another because we live in a fallen world, and we have an adversary. 

However, God is a Good Father and He is faithful. Even during trials, remember that He sees you, and He hears your prayers. He feels your pain, He cares about you, and He truly loves you. 

His strength can get you through this time. Just as His eyes were on Job during suffering, His eyes are on you. Just as he restored Job for all that he lost, God can restore you too, as long as you remain faithful to Him. Be encouraged. This too shall pass!

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