Borrowed Breath

In the heart of the Old Testament, we are introduced to Job, a man of integrity and wisdom and godliness. He loved his family. He was known for his obedience to his God. Job “was blameless and upright” and “feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1.1 ESV). He was, what we would call, a good man.

We are given a glimpse into heaven, into a unique conversation between God and Satan, the adversary of God and of Job. And God seems to be bragging on His son Job to Satan. But Satan accuses the LORD of placing a hedge of protection around Job, a scathing charge that the LORD does not refute.

So the LORD allows Satan to ravage Job’s family and possessions, but prohibits him from touching Job himself.  All of Job’s assets, his livestock and servants, even his children, fall under the destroying hand of the adversary. Yet through it all, neither Job nor his wife curse God.

Satan is convinced that if he can assault Job personally, that he will sin and curse God. So the LORD lifts the previous restriction, qualifying that Satan must keep him alive. We are told that Job breaks out in “loathsome sores” (2.7).

As Job’s wife witnesses the suffering of her godly husband, she breaks down and speaks “as one of the foolish women would speak” (v.10) telling her husband to “curse God and die” (v.9). And Job makes this deep statement, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (v.10). Job maintains his integrity in the midst of this heavy hand of affliction.