His season of loss is a reminder that no possession or relationship on this Earth is guaranteed to last forever. Job’s story continues to be relevant to Christians today because of his ability to believe despite suffering.

All this occurs as a test, allowed by God to show Satan Job’s faith ( Job 1:11-12). The question sets Job up for an intense season of suffering, one that breaks him physically, emotionally, even spiritually, but he never forsakes his faith.

Satan confesses to roaming about the Earth, and God asks if the Devil has considered Job. In this first chapter of Job, we read an account of God questioning Satan about his schemes. Job’s ability to believe was so impressive that he garnered the attention of God and also Satan. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.” ( Job 1:1) Of all that he owned, his greatest asset was his faith. In his possession were also large quantities of land and animals ( Job 1:2-3). He had a large family of a wife, seven sons, and three daughters. The Bible describes Job’s financial stature as making him a noteworthy person in his region of the east. He was an everyday man, albeit affluent in possessions and faith. The Book of Job is a story that details the life of one man who was not a distinguished church figure facing persecution. Too often in conversations about suffering, one particular Bible story is not consistently discussed.

Bible study for today