This Is the Old Testament is part of a twelve-week thematic overview of the entire Bible. Each day we’ll read a thematic selection from a different book or two of the Bible, along with supplemental passages that show how the theme of that day’s main reading is found throughout Scripture. We’ll also read a brief summary of each book and a reflection on how the book fits into the larger story of Scripture. This week, we’ll finish the Historical Books and move into the genre of Wisdom Literature.
What Is Job? This book provides insight into the suffering of Job, a man whose faith was deliberately tested. Poetic dialogues between Job and his friends, who attempted to apply traditional wisdom to his situation, make up most of the book, which concludes with God speaking to Job.
How Job Fits Into the Story: Job reminds us that suffering comes to everyone, the righteous and unrighteous alike. God does not always keep His people from danger or suffering. But the book of Job reminds us that God is wise and powerful, even in our darkest seasons. His presence is always with His people.
Reflection Questions:
1. How does Job 19:23–27 offer hope in the midst of your own trials and suffering?
2. How does today’s reading shape your understanding of the story of redemption?
Take time to reflect on your responses and share what you are learning with others in the community in the comments.
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60 thoughts on "Job"
Job’s identity was not in anything but God. What a powerful challenge for all believers!
I’m comforted by Job’s testimony that in his darkest moment he reveled in the glory of God. He had a right view of himself and of God, that all he had was actually the Lord’s and He is able to give and to take away. When life seems like you’re not able to catch a break, I’m reminded that a heart of gratitude and worship of the Lord actually are able to bear the weight of sorrow, because He is our comforter and bears our sorrows for us.
Lord, help me to content and have strong faith when I face situations that I don’t understand and when my faith is tested
Lindsey! It’s amazing that I’m reading your comment weeks before my son would’ve been born(Due to be born 09/2018) and his name was Lael Elijah-Adriel God truly knows! And I take this as a sign to keep reading and pressing through this wonderful book! God Bless you and your family!
Thank you Lydia for that reminder.
It gives me hope and strength that God is always with me in good and not so good times. It is such comfort knowing He will never leave me ever.
1 year ago from Friday, the day of this reading, we received life altering news that our third baby’s heart had stopped. A second trimester loss. Job 1:21-22 is what got us through that traumatic loss. For this to be the reading today… of all days… as we have been grieving our sweet Elijah… God is in the details. He knows what our hearts need and when we need them… and he says “I see you”… even in the little things like lining up a specific scripture reading on the weekend you need it most. ❤️
Dearest Lindsey, Praying for you today. Bless you and yours for allowing God into your heart to sustain you.
It is so comforting to know that the evil one is completely leashed by God.
@Victoria E I don’t know if you saw what Carleigh and Krystle wrote, but they had good responses to your question. My first baby was stillborn and I also had a miscarriage. I grew up catholic, but didn’t read or know to read the Bible. I was invited to a new church after her burial. I remember my husband and I read Job soon after. This was the first book I read. I can’t say that I responded like Job. I didn’t understand and was heartbroken and so sad. I did learn that I would see her and my other baby in Heaven. Hearing this preaching was new to me. I felt like I needed to hear messages preaching His Word and teachings to breathe. God used so many people to help me and to lead me to ways to hear about Him and His power. I believe that my daughter’s life has and had a purpose even though she never took a breath outside of the womb. My friend later also had a stillborn son. I told her that her sons life has purpose too. She said that helped and comforted her. I hope this helps you too. Had I never gone through this pain, I could not understand or help others. I would have never chosen this, but God has used even this loss and heartbreak, and their lives in so many ways.
Lord, help me to trust You, even in the hard times
Something that blows my mind: In my cultural backgrounds study Bible, it says that the “Satan” in Job was actually probably little “s” when this was first written. So little “s” as in a messenger or another angel and in some translations it got lost and turned into big “S” Satan.
That is such a comfort to me because I’ve never truly been able to understand Job and how God could tell “S”atan to do what he wants with one of the most righteous. Now, it makes more sense.
God will never give us more than we can handle!!!
Praise God for His divine presence in our storms!
“Gods will work everything out for the food of those who love him and are called according to his purpose for their lives.” Romans 8:28
I love that God is in control and still at work even when hope is lost. “He will work everything out for the good of those who love him and are called according to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28
Arina wow I love what you said.
Blessed Beth I agree fully.
Kelly, Allie S., Lauren Seaver, AG, Carleigh Bright amen.
Christina Zigler I understand where you’re coming from.
Amanda Hesterberg you are sooo right.
Debbie D. I need to do this also.
Anna Cyr and Victoria E. yes losing a child is hard, I lost my son (he had just turned 18) almost 18 years ago and my niece last year, but through it all I knew God and Christ were with me. I was able to worship God and Christ at the time because I knew I would see them again in Heaven. I was also lucky in that I had a large Christian support system including family.
Cortney Phillips love, love, love what you said.
ERB I too suffer from seizures but mine are under control. I know though how frightening it can be.
Mari V. that’s my key verse also. I made mine almost 18 years ago when my oldest son died and my sil gave it to me on a bracelet.
Traci Gendron love what you said about Jesus holding the keys of death, hope you don’t mind if I pass it on.
Audren you are so right, God is enough, and He is all we will ever need. May I pass this on.
After seeing the memory verse it reminded me of the song “Redeemer” by Nicole C. Mullins. I know that my Redeemer lives and all I have to do is call on Him and He will answer. Job had so much faith, I hope to have as much faith as Job.
Father, in all my trials I want to remember to turn to You and only You. In all the good times I want to praise and rejoice in Your presences and give You all the glory. Amen.
Be blessed sisters and have a great weekend.
Hi Ladies,
Interestingly, I watched a video today where my pastor taught on the book of Job before seeing that it was the SRT bible plan for the day.
I suggest you watch it too if you have questions or want to understand the book of Job better – https://youtu.be/JWg90fj9yX8
A reminder that God is good – always good and does not do what’s evil.
“Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.” – James 1:17 NLT
Cheers.
Hi Victoria. I think it’s important to note that Job still mourned. We know this by the way Job ripped off his robe and shaved his head. This way his way of showing he was in mourning. Worshiping and praising does not mean one isn’t mourning and lamenting. I think that is important. I also think it’s important to note that Job understood that he didn’t have the capability to understand God’s reasoning but he knew he served a loving almighty God.
Carleigh thank you that makes so much sense!
Sisters, I love the reading today but I always have struggled with Job. Can anyone explain how one can worship after ones children are killed? I understand turning to God, clinging to Him for hope , but worshiping gives me pause. Maybe the word means something different than I think it means. I would rather have something bad happen to myself than to innocent children. I could even see worshipping God during a trial that affected only me. Thoughts?
Victoria E, only by the power of the Holy Spirit can we worship in the midst of our darkest storms. God is worthy of our praise no matter what comes, but it is NOT easy to worship when everything is going horribly. This makes me think of Habakkuk 3:17-18: “Though the fig tree does not bud and there is no fruit on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though the flocks disappear from the pen and there are no herds in the stalls, yet I will celebrate in the Lord; I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!”
Krystle, thank you.
ERB, praying for you today! I am a chronic pain sufferer since I had a great injury when I was twenty. I know what it is like to cling to Jesus for hope when everything looks bleak. Prayers for grace and healing, and strength for today. ❤️
I am reading the Bible Handbook along with this study and it mentioned that these people were non-Israelites – not part of God’s chosen people or part of the promised land story. I don’t know if I have thought about that before in relation to Job. His relationship with God was just personal. So beautiful.
As I was answering the Reflection Questions, I realized my issue lately has been faith! Though isn’t it always? I’ve been trying to manage my life all on my own. Which has only left me burnt out. It is so awesome that we have Job as an example of faith to live by! In every circumstance he still proclaimed his Redeemer. God is enough, and He is all we will ever need.
What stood out for me was the the prophetic and joyous proclamation:
My Redeemer lives and at the last he will stand upon the earth.
Immediately followed by:
And after my skin has been thus destroyed,
yet in my flesh I shall see God!
How wonderful.
Oh ERB, Isaiah 42, SO So good!! Sisters, if you have time, I could dwell here all day. So much of God’s heart, so much about Jesus. ERB, I haven’t read any comments today. This all just was so much joy for my heart that I have to just dwell here and then will look at Job. What really caught my attention was Isaiah 42:22-23 “this is a people trapped in pits or hidden away in prisons. They have become the plunder, with no one to rescue them; they have been made loot, with no one to say, “send them back”.” But God, praise Him, then back to the beginning,
Isaiah 42:1-4 (reveals Jesus) Here is My servant, whom I uphold, My chosen One in whom I delight; I will put my Spirit on Him, and He will bring justice to the nations.” (This just thrills my soul) Right here the Trinity, Father, Spirit and Son) Then more of who Jesus will be/is – “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not snuff out, In faithfulness (submission to the Father and death on a cross) He will bring forth justice; He will not falter or be discouraged till he establishes justice on earth.” Then Isaiah 42:6-7 How the Father will be with the Son – I have called you in righteousness, I will take hold of your hand, I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison, and to release those who sit in darkness.” Oh my, just such good. And so much more in this chapter. He is our light. Do we know anyone, or do we feel the darkness around us, there is One that illuminates it with His glory, grace and forgiveness. Isaiah 42:8-12 announces God is doing new things and will not give His glory to another or praise to idols, also a common theme. Those pits of darkness I believe are filled with our addictions, the things that lie to us and draw our mind and hearts away, blind us to the Truth. And then these verses tell us the praise. Ahhhh, I don’t know why I am going line by line, save it is speaking so to my heart this day. I pray you all take time to revel in the Word of God this morning, Jesus Christ and all He is doing may you feel his light so bright this day, as He shines it through you into the shadows, the pits, the people that might so be needing some hope, may they see it in us. ERB, so wanted to sit down with you and go thru this whole chapter. So nice to know, I can read your comments next and glean the good things He has given you. Loved what you wrote about yesterday. And again reiterated here, how idols are so offensive to our God, and I can hardly imagine how much it grieves the Lord to see our hearts wrapped up in something that only brings destruction and lies. To answer my thoughts on the worm of Jacob. I looked it up, kind of, well yes I admit it wanted to know more. :) It said it was describing the lowly state of Israel without God. How much lower can you get than a worm, who digests soil, can be trampled on, etc . . . Interesting and yet He comes as the Good Shepherd, to help us as lost lambs. And to make us fishers of men, thankfully, in my mind, not to put us on the hook, as so many times us worms do to ourselves. His love and joy to you all sisters. I must be off. I will have to look at Job later. Thank you all for your comments and prayers, they mean more than you will ever know. I am praying for all the requests, may you feel Him near this day. Hugs and light to your day!
When my son was very young, he said “I bet you wished you had a child that did not have Cystinosis.” I prayed that God would give me the proper words for my son. I told him for him, yes. For myself it taught me what is important in life. It changed me for the better. I turned to God for the first time in years. Job lost everything. And what is so very precious to me, my son, he is not promised to outlive me. I can only rely on God to help me through this very heartbreaking trial. God offers me hope of comfort. Job 19:27 I will see him myself; my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger. My heart longs within me. Tanner and I will be together in heaven.
Jesus holds the keys of death and he will never leave us.
Lifting you up to the Lord. We can trust Him.
1. Job 19:23-27 provides hope in times of Trials because just like Job we know our eternity is with Christ. Job 19:23-27 remind me a lot of Paul’s letters to the Philippians when he says “For me, to live is Christ and to die is gain” (Phil. 1:21). Both Paul and Job know that if the trials of their life result in death, well then all that means is they get to meet The Redeemer. This provides us hope because even in our worst of times, God is our eternity and that is the greatest thing we can ask for.
2. This story points to the story of redemption by showing us God’s sovereignty. One thing that really stood out to me in Job 1-12 is that God has sovereignty over Satan. We know that Satan is evil, but we see here that when God tells Satan all that Job has is in his power but he was not to touch Job himself, Satan listened. The devil can not win because God has sovereignty over him too. Oh, how great is our God! Oh, how we can praise Him!
ERB – Praying!!!!
BRIDGET VASCHAK – The same thought is what grabbed my heart today – that Job had never heard the Words spoken by Jesus yet he KNEW! I think this verse goes well here:
Matthew 19-21: Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
ERB – so sorry you are having such a rough day and pray that those seizures lessen in intensity and frequency soon. You are such a blessing and your faith inspires us!
We are not promised a life free of pain on earth, but Job is a great reminder of God’s redemptive plan. Job kept his faith even in unimaginable suffering – what a great example.
Job lost everything. EVERYTHING. Yet, he KNEW in the end His Redeemer lives. He KNEW that he would see God with his own eyes. He KNEW …despite the ruin around him, what his circumstances seemed to “show” … that in the end, he would see the living God. The One who said “don’t be afraid, I am the First and the Last, and the Living One. I was dead, but look- I am alive forever and ever, and I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Job never read those words that Jesus spoke to John so many years later, but he KNEW the truth of those words.
1. God has a plan for us all. Through the sufferings and trials we may face, we are building our endurance to grow stronger in our faith.
2. God did not promise that as followers we would not suffer. He did promise he would never leave us and he will not. He is always with us. I need to work on remembering this.
Praying for all SRT sisters today!
I have said the following to my kids and to others and I’m sure most of us have heard it. While we are living here on earth living among fallen people and a fallen earth, we are going to face trials. We are not exempt just because we love Jesus. Yet because we have Jesus we have hope. And I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again. During those dark nights, of crying out to God and feeling so alone I knew then as I know now that Jesus was listening to my cry. He was and is with me. He never left me. Though it may have felt like it, I know He was with me. And for anyone suffering now please know that our Jesus is with you. Don’t lose hope. Even when it seems like it’s never going to end please don’t lose hope. Yes it’s painful and sometimes scary but we have strength through Jesus. 10 years ago when I ran a marathon my mantra and Key verse was Philippians 4:13. “I can do all things through Christ Who gives me strength”. Today, this is my life verse. 
Mari V amen. Thank you for that.
Job has been an anchor for me since my diagnosis of “unmanageable” generalized epilepsy almost 13years ago…I literally lost everything, my home, my job, my reputation, my independence, my life (I’ve been clinically dead 3+ times) …but during all of this (& yes I am still struggling, today is actually a particularly bad day, one where I won’t be able to leave my bed) the Lord kept leading me to Job and his story… I clung (& still cling) to God’s promise in Job 1:12 and the truth in Job 1:22 …but what really stood out to me today was Job 1:8 …walking with integrity when things are going well for you is one thing, but walking with integrity (moral uprightness) when things are at their bleakest is quite another… and being able to PRAISE God and have FAITH in His unconditional love and CONFIDENCE in His unfailing FAITHFULNESS in the midst of your darkest most trying time is another thing entirely!! THIS has been and continues to be my greatest lesson and journey… my prayer is the same as Job 19:25-27 though my physical body fails me my spirit will forever praise and honor God. To Him be all the Glory!!!
MAURA, there was a LOT in Isaiah 42!! Definitely some prophecy in there…but the thing that stood out to me was “islands” I’ve been noticing that word in the last couple of chapters we’ve read so I looked it up…according to what I read it means “far off places” or “separate” …I believe this can both be applied physically and spiritually… and it may be part of the reason God keeps repeating Himself, reassuring His people He is ALWAYS there and will pull through for them!!
The verses that stood out to me:
Isaiah 42:6-10
Isaiah 42:14
Isaiah 42:16-20
Isaiah 42:25 …they see but don’t understand, are consumed but don’t take it to heart…
I wish I could write more, but I had all I could do to write what I did.. I am having a really rough day with my seizures…prayers would be greatly appreciated!!! Love you all my wonderful sisters!!! Be Blessed today and find rest and hope in Him!!! ❤️
ERB- I am so sorry that your seizures are bad today. I will pray for you right now.
May God bless you and hug you tight to him ERB. I will pray that your seizure lessen and that your day brighten knowing that God’s got you in the palm on His hand. One day my friend, one day this suffering will be over and we will be in our true Home where there will be no tears. Hold on to that promise. I have to constantly remind myself of this.
Praying for you precious and all SRT sisters who have expressed their need for prayer on this site. Hugs and blessings to all of you. ❤️❤️❤️
Indeed
No matter if we are in the valley or a mountaintop the Lord is with us! Sometimes our faith is stretched in times of suffering and we prove to ourselves where we are with God. We will face persecution and attacks from the devil and even more when you are living for Christ. He doesn’t want us on God’s team. If we rejoice in the storm that is a weapon and we will come out on top because our God is bigger than any demon or devil!
20Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
As I read the account of the messengers coming to report to Job, I envisioned him starting out taking the news calmly and then with each report becoming a bit more upset. By the time it is told to him that his children have died, I saw him falling to the ground and then was stopped in my tracks when the words coming out of his mouth are of worship to God.
I’ve always struggled with the book of Job. It is one of those spots that I end up getting stuck in an attempt to read through the entire Bible. Seeing it with fresh eyes while studying it in this framework is freeing. Thank you.
Anna cyr, me too. Job has always upset me, maybe even been a stumbling block for my faith. But reading these selections and going through my own trials of having a miscarriage has made me begin to see this book in a new light. I still wonder who worships the Lord when his children are killed? Cries out to, looks for help, I can understand, but worship? I’m still struggling with that.
My take away today? I need to focus on, not me and my circumstances, but in “The name of the Lord be praised!”
It is so comforting to be reminded that God is with us in everything we face. Sometimes He allows trials and suffering to come our way like Job, and often I am guilty of abandoning and questioning Him rather than trusting and leaning on Him for strength.
In Job 19, the verses directly before 23-27 Job talks about being abandoned by everyone he loved when his hard season hit. His family, his friends, even his servants. I see a lot of that in my trials and I wonder if God allows those people to leave us so we are forced to lean on Him more. I also pray that I do not shy away from those who are suffering, but that I am there for them for spiritual and emotional support.
I love how the Word works, I feel like I read things that I NEED to hear just when I need to hear them. The Lord is good and He is near.
I love how in vs 20, it says Job’s first response to all the trials was that “he fell to the ground and worshipped.” This is such a beautiful reminder to go to God first in stress and trials. He already knows what’s going on and is our true Redeemer.
❤️
I have a number of friends and family going through trials. Some have been happening for years. And, often they will express a desire to go home to Jesus. To be done and be with the Lord. Job does the same thing in the middle of it all, but it is not to remove the pain and trial, but because he recognizes that God is the only answer. The only hope. He desires to draw near to God, not away from his pain. It is a beautiful faith and complete trust in God.
Honestly, the book of Job has always been probably the most difficult for me to understand. I’ve always felt uneasy at the discussion between God and Satan, what happens to all those associated with Job, Job’s wife who had to pop out another dozen kids…. It’s a problematic book for me.
But man. I love those verses. Imagine having faith and trust like Job does!
****
But I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the end he will stand on the dust.
26 Even after my skin has been destroyed,
yet I will see God inC my flesh.
27 I will see him myself;
my eyes will look at him, and not as a stranger.
My heart longs within me
Reading from the SRT study Bible again brought me to their insightful connections between questions Job asks and answers found IN Jesus in the NT. I wish I could share the whole page with you all but it’s incredible to see, yet again, how Jesus is the answer every time. From Job longing for a mediator between us and God who is working on our behalf (vs. 9:32-33 and 16:19-21) to pondering life after death and what is of eternal importance (vs. 14:14 and 21:7-15) we see Jesus fully completes those answers. He alone is the mediator between God and humanity and the resurrection and the life! Oh to have such a great hope and confidence in Jesus as God’s promises come true.
1. Job’s first instinct was to worship God. Yet with the accusations of sin from his friends, he began to doubt God’s goodness (sounds like Eve’s response to Satan’s lies). But this declaration shows the relationship with God was stronger and his faith was deeper than circumstantial.
Job gives me an example of how to take everything to God. He alone is big enough to carry the burdens and me through the pain and suffering in a way that brings Him glory.
2.Job is a fantastic piture of who I am in Christ. Throughout Job’s trials, he asked God to judge him as righteous. What Job was not aware of was that God had already rendered His judgment “No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” (1:8)!
Today as I am in Christ, it is His righteousness that God sees. Jesus’ sacrifice gives me a verdict of not guilty. Satan, my flesh, and this fallen world’s influence cannot take that away. Thank You, Jesus!
It is such an encouragement to read about Job. I know that through all the tough times God had chiseled away and made me a better, wiser person, one much closer to Him.
The book of Job always brings one of my favorite songs to mind, Redeemer by Nicole C Mullen. An oldie but still a goodie.
Tina & Churchmouse – praying for you both. You are missed.
Maura – continuing to pray for you and your husband
LNZ – praying for you and for your friend Stacy and her boys. Our family has also had sudden losses in recent years and it is a rough journey.
Jen Brewer – praising the Lord for the encouraging news towards reconciliation.
Foster Mama – praying for you, the children, adoptive parents and social workers. A word that came to mind – humble. Sharing it though not sure if it’s relevant or even makes sense.
Dorothy – praying for you, Carol and Jake.
Anna – thank you! for reworking the question yesterday as that added clarification that I didn’t realize I needed!
God, the mighty God whose majesty is so far above the earth, is also the God from whom we will receive one day the crown of life. Trials and suffering are part of our life here on earth, but in the midst of it, we can trust God. His ways are so much higher than ours. My Redeemer lives and one day He will stand on the earth. Then I will be with Him forever.
Job 19:25 My Redeemer lives!
Amen!
I find it comforting to know God is with us during difficult stages we have. I know this year has been one of the hardest but rest assured God was with us during it all.