Job

Job introduced as blameless, wealthy man from Uz with seven sons, three daughters, vast possessions; regularly offers sacrifices for his children. Satan challenges God that Job only serves Him for blessings; God permits Satan to test Job by destroying his possessions and children. In one day, Job loses everything—livestock stolen/destroyed, servants killed, all ten children die when house collapses; Job worships God: "The LORD gave and has taken away; blessed be His name."

Satan claims Job will curse God if his health is attacked; God permits Satan to afflict Job's body but spare his life. Job struck with painful boils from head to toe; his wife tells him to curse God and die; Job rebukes her and maintains his integrity. Three friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—come to comfort Job; they sit in silence with him for seven days, seeing his great suffering.

Job breaks his silence by cursing the day of his birth and wishing he had died at birth. Laments that death would bring peace and rest from his suffering. Questions why God gives life to those in misery who long for death.

Eliphaz speaks first, gently reminding Job how he once encouraged others in trouble. Shares a mystical vision claiming no mortal can be righteous before God. Suggests suffering comes to those who "plow iniquity"—implying Job must have sinned.

Eliphaz continues, urging Job to seek God who does great things. Describes how God disciplines those He loves and promises restoration. Assures Job that accepting God's correction will lead to blessing and security.

Job wishes his anguish could be weighed—it would outweigh the sand of the seas. Asks for death as his only comfort since he hasn't denied God's words. Rebukes his friends for being like unreliable streams that disappear when needed most.

Job describes human life as hard service, his nights filled with misery, his body wasting away. Speaks directly to God, asking why He won't leave him alone even briefly. Questions why God makes him a target and won't pardon his sins before he dies.

Bildad insists God doesn't pervert justice; suggests Job's children died for their sins. Urges Job to seek God earnestly—if pure, God will restore him. Uses plant imagery to show the wicked perish while the righteous flourish.

Job agrees no one can be righteous before God but questions how to argue with the Almighty. Describes God's awesome power over creation and His inscrutability. Laments there's no mediator between him and God; feels God destroys both innocent and wicked.

Job expresses weariness with life and speaks boldly to God about his complaint. Questions why God carefully formed him only to destroy him now. Pleads for brief respite before going to the land of darkness and death.

Zophar harshly rebukes Job, saying he deserves worse than he's received. Claims if Job would put away sin and seek God, his life would become brighter than noon. Warns that the wicked have no escape and their hope is death.

Job sarcastically agrees his friends have all wisdom, but he's not inferior to them. Points out that he who calls on God has become a laughingstock while robbers prosper. Declares all creation knows God's sovereign hand controls everything.

Job insists he understands as much as his friends and desires to argue his case with God. Calls his friends "worthless physicians" who speak falsely for God. Boldly declares he'll defend his ways to God's face, even if it kills him.

Job meditates on human mortality—life is brief, full of trouble, with no return from death. Wishes God would hide him in death until His anger passes, then remember him. Laments that while trees can sprout again when cut down, humans die without hope.

Eliphaz angrily accuses Job of empty talk and undermining religion. Claims Job condemns himself with his own words and arrogance. Describes the fate of the wicked in detail, implying this is Job's destiny.

Job calls his friends "miserable comforters" who would speak differently if roles were reversed. Describes how God has worn him out, torn him in wrath, and delivered him to the ungodly. Maintains his prayer is pure; calls on earth not to cover his blood and heaven to witness his cry.

Job feels his spirit broken, his days extinct, the grave ready. Mocks his friends' wisdom and challenges God to provide a pledge for him. Despairs that his only hope is to make his bed in darkness.

Bildad describes the terrible fate awaiting the wicked in graphic detail. The wicked man's light goes out, he's driven from light to darkness, has no offspring. Clearly implies this is Job's fate for his supposed wickedness.

Job pleads with his friends to have pity since God's hand has struck him. Lists how God has wronged him, destroyed him, and alienated everyone from him. Makes famous declaration: "I know my Redeemer lives" and will see God after death.

Zophar describes how the wicked man's triumph is brief and joy momentary. Though evil tastes sweet, it becomes poison; he must vomit up ill-gotten riches. Heaven and earth will reveal his iniquity and rise up against him.

Job contradicts his friends, pointing out the wicked often prosper and die peacefully. Questions why the wicked live long, grow mighty, see their children established. Challenges his friends' simplistic theology of immediate retribution.

Eliphaz directly accuses Job of specific sins: oppressing the poor, withholding water from thirsty. Claims this explains Job's suffering and darkness surrounding him. Urges repentance and promises restoration if Job returns to the Almighty.

Job wishes he could find God to present his case; knows he would be acquitted. Describes searching for God in all directions but cannot find Him. Affirms God knows his way and when tested, he'll come forth as gold.

Job questions why God doesn't set times for judgment as the wicked oppress the poor. Describes various crimes of the wicked who rebel against the light. Notes they often seem to prosper temporarily before sudden destruction.

Bildad's brief speech emphasizes God's power and human insignificance. Asks how man can be pure before God when even moon and stars aren't pure. Calls man a worm compared to God's majesty.

Job mocks his friends' unhelpful counsel to the powerless. Describes God's awesome power over creation and the realm of the dead. Acknowledges these are but the fringes of God's ways; who can understand His full power?

Job maintains his integrity and refuses to admit wrongdoing until death. Describes the hopeless fate of the godless when God takes their life. Insists he speaks truth and won't conceal God's ways.

Wisdom poem describing how humans mine precious metals from earth's depths. Wisdom cannot be found or purchased with gold—it's hidden from all living. Only God knows wisdom's place; He declares: "Fear of the Lord is wisdom."

Job nostalgically recalls his former blessed state when God watched over him. Remembers being respected by all, helping the poor, being eyes to blind and feet to lame. Thought he would die peacefully in his nest after a long, prosperous life.

Now Job is mocked by society's outcasts whose fathers he wouldn't trust with his dogs. Describes his physical suffering and how God has cast him into the mire. Laments that when he looked for good, evil came; his harp turned to mourning.

Job's oath of innocence, listing sins he hasn't committed: lust, deceit, adultery, mistreating servants. Denied justice to poor, trusted in wealth, worshiped sun/moon, rejoiced at enemy's ruin. Calls for God to answer him and for his accuser to write down charges.

Elihu, a younger man, angry at Job for justifying himself and at the friends for condemning without answers. Claims the Spirit gives understanding, not age alone; he's compelled to speak. Promises to show no partiality or use flattery in his response.

Elihu claims to speak on God's behalf, formed from clay like Job. Argues God speaks through dreams and suffering to turn people from sin. Describes how God may send a mediating angel to show what is right.

Elihu defends God's justice—far be it from God to do wickedness. God repays according to deeds, shows no partiality to princes over poor. Rebukes Job for saying it profits nothing to delight in God.

Elihu addresses Job's claim that righteousness doesn't benefit God. Explains human actions affect other humans, not God in His transcendence. People cry out in oppression but don't seek God who gives songs in the night.

Elihu continues defending God's righteousness and perfect knowledge. God uses affliction to get people's attention and turn them from sin. Warns Job against choosing sin over affliction; exalts God's majesty.

Elihu describes God's power in thunder, lightning, snow, and storms. These natural phenomena accomplish God's purposes for correction or mercy. Challenges Job: Can you explain God's wonders or spread out the sky?

God speaks from the whirlwind, challenging Job: "Who darkens counsel without knowledge?" Series of questions about creation: Where was Job when earth's foundations laid? Who controls the sea, commands morning, enters death's gates, directs lightning?

God continues questioning Job about wild animals: mountain goats, wild donkeys, wild ox. Can Job control the ostrich, horse, hawk, or eagle? Each creature displays God's wisdom and power beyond human understanding.

God challenges: "Shall the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him?" Job admits he's unworthy and puts hand over mouth in silence. God describes Behemoth's massive strength, likely referring to hippopotamus or mythical creature.

God describes Leviathan's terrifying power—none dare stir him up. Impervious to weapons, breathes fire, makes the deep boil like pot. "Who then is able to stand before Me?" demonstrating God's supreme power.

Job repents: "I spoke of things too wonderful for me; now my eye sees You." God rebukes the three friends for not speaking rightly; Job must pray for them. God restores Job's fortunes doubly, gives him ten children, and Job lives 140 more years.