Topical Bible: Persecution of Job

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The persecution of Job is a profound narrative found in the Old Testament, specifically in the Book of Job. This account is a cornerstone for understanding the themes of suffering, faith, and divine sovereignty. Job, a man described as "blameless and upright, fearing God and shunning evil" (Job 1:1), becomes the central figure in a cosmic test of faith and endurance.

Background and Setting

Job's account is set in the land of Uz, a region whose exact location remains uncertain but is traditionally associated with areas east of Israel. Job is depicted as a wealthy and respected man, blessed with a large family and substantial possessions. His life of piety and prosperity is abruptly disrupted by a series of calamities.

The Heavenly Council

The narrative begins with a scene in the heavenly realms where the "sons of God" present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also comes among them (Job 1:6). The LORD points out Job's righteousness, to which Satan responds with skepticism, suggesting that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity. Satan challenges God, proposing that if Job's blessings are removed, he will surely curse God (Job 1:9-11).

The Trials of Job

God permits Satan to test Job, but initially restricts him from harming Job physically. In rapid succession, Job loses his livestock, servants, and all his children to marauding bands and natural disasters (Job 1:13-19). Despite these overwhelming losses, Job responds with remarkable faith, saying, "The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD" (Job 1:21).

Satan then challenges God again, asserting that Job will curse God if his health is compromised. God allows Satan to afflict Job with painful sores from head to toe, yet Job maintains his integrity, refusing to curse God (Job 2:4-10).

The Role of Job's Friends

Job's three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—come to comfort him. However, their dialogues quickly turn into debates, as they insist that Job's suffering must be a result of some hidden sin. They argue from a retributive justice perspective, believing that God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked. Job, maintaining his innocence, becomes increasingly frustrated with their accusations and simplistic theology.

Job's Lament and Search for Understanding

Throughout the dialogues, Job laments his condition and questions the justice of his suffering. He longs for an audience with God to plead his case and understand the reasons behind his afflictions (Job 13:3, 23:3-5). Job's speeches reveal a deep struggle with the apparent silence and distance of God amidst his trials.

The Divine Response

God eventually answers Job out of a whirlwind, challenging him with a series of questions that highlight God's wisdom and power in creation (Job 38-41). These questions serve to remind Job of the vastness of God's knowledge and the limitations of human understanding. Job responds with humility and repentance, acknowledging his limited perspective (Job 42:1-6).

Restoration and Vindication

In the epilogue, God rebukes Job's friends for not speaking rightly about Him and instructs them to offer sacrifices, with Job praying on their behalf (Job 42:7-9). God restores Job's fortunes, granting him twice as much as he had before, and blesses him with a new family and a long life (Job 42:10-17).

The persecution of Job serves as a profound exploration of the nature of suffering, the mystery of divine providence, and the steadfastness of faith. It challenges believers to trust in God's wisdom and goodness, even when His ways are beyond human comprehension.

Nave's Topical Index

Job 13:4-13
But you are forgers of lies, you are all physicians of no value.
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Job 16:1-4
Then Job answered and said,
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Job 17:2
Are there not mockers with me? and does not my eye continue in their provocation?
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Job 19:1-5
Then Job answered and said,
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Job 30:1-10
But now they that are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to have set with the dogs of my flock.
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Library

Concerning Persecution
... be such a spirit of meekness in a Christian's suffering that it should be hard to
say which is greater, his persecution or his patience. When Job had lost all ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/21 concerning persecution.htm

Epistle Xlv. To Theoctista, Patrician .
... David, because there was in him what should have been purged, it was brought to
pass that he suffered under a son's persecution. The blessed Job says of the ...
/.../the epistles of saint gregory the great/epistle xlv to theoctista patrician.htm

Job
... Job complains of his fierce persecution by God, and appeals, in almost the same
breath, against this unintelligible God to the righteous God in heaven, who is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mcfadyen/introduction to the old testament/job.htm

That the Union of Our Will with the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... Now, I say, hear the great Job crying out: If we have received good things ... cries
out that he glories only in the cross, [402] in infirmity, in persecution. ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

It is Indeed a Greater Fight of Patience...
... fight of patience, when it is not a visible enemy that by persecution and rage ... As
such had holy Job experience of him, by both temptations vexed, but in both ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/on patience /9 it is indeed a.htm

Why we Believe the Bible.
... powers of earth were arrayed against it, but it has made its way against the tide
of fierce opposition and persecution. ... Job said the wind had weight. ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter i why we believe.htm

Of the System of the Anchorites and Its Beginning.
... way to the desert by reason of necessity, while during the time of persecution he
was ... of the earth." Of whom too the Lord speaks figuratively to Job: "But who ...
/.../cassian/the conferences of john cassian/chapter vi of the system.htm

Those who Suffered Martyrdom at this Time.
... According to that chapter he suffered in the ninth year of the persecution; that
is ... some epistles (see ibid., and Suidas, sv), and a commentary on Job, of which ...
/.../pamphilius/church history/chapter vi those who suffered martyrdom.htm

Whether Death is Essential to Martyrdom?
... iii in Evang.): "Although persecution has ceased to offer the opportunity, yet the
peace ... Hence Satan testified against Job (Job 2:4): "Skin for skin, and all ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether death is essential to.htm

St. Ambrose Gives Additional Rules Concerning Repentance, and ...
... He had read how Job, sitting among the ashes, [3053] regained all that he had lost. ...
He ploughed so as to destroy in himself the last tendency to persecution. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/chapter i st ambrose gives.htm