1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.
2 And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.
3 And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
4 And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life.
5 But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
6 And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life.
7 So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
9 Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him.
12 And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven.
13 So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that [his] grief was very great.
Summary of Job Chapter 2
Job Chapter 2 continues the narrative of Job’s suffering and introduces the second round of dialogue between God and Satan. This chapter explores themes of suffering, loyalty, and the nature of faith.
Key Events
- Satan’s Second Challenge
In this chapter, Satan again presents himself before God, and God inquires about Job’s faithfulness. Satan argues that Job’s integrity is only maintained because he has not suffered physical affliction.
- Job’s Affliction
God permits Satan to afflict Job’s health, but he is not allowed to take Job’s life. As a result, Job is struck with painful sores all over his body.
- Job’s Response
Despite his suffering, Job remains steadfast in his faith. His wife, however, urges him to curse God and die, but Job rebukes her, highlighting the importance of accepting both good and bad from God.
- The Arrival of Friends
Three of Job’s friends—Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar—come to visit him. They are initially silent, mourning with him in his grief and showing their support.
Thematic Analysis
- The Nature of Suffering
This chapter deepens the exploration of suffering as a part of the human experience. Job’s physical pain serves as a test of his faith, raising questions about why the righteous suffer.
- Faith and Integrity
Job’s unwavering faith in the face of profound suffering emphasizes the theme of integrity. He refuses to curse God, illustrating a deep commitment to his beliefs despite his circumstances.
- The Role of Friends
The arrival of Job’s friends introduces the theme of companionship in suffering. Their initial silence signifies respect and empathy, but foreshadows the eventual debates that will arise regarding the reasons for Job’s plight.
- Divine Sovereignty
God’s allowance of Job’s suffering raises questions about divine sovereignty and the reasons behind human suffering. The chapter suggests that suffering may serve purposes beyond human understanding.
Character Analysis
- Job
Job is portrayed as a model of patience and faith. His refusal to curse God, even when urged by his wife, underscores his deep-rooted belief in God’s justice.
- Satan
Satan acts as the accuser, challenging the sincerity of Job’s faith. His role raises questions about the nature of evil and its impact on humanity.
- Job’s Wife
Job’s wife represents a voice of despair. Her suggestion to curse God reflects the struggle many face when confronted with overwhelming suffering.
- Job’s Friends
The three friends symbolize the societal tendency to seek explanations for suffering. Their initial silence indicates compassion, but their later arguments reveal a lack of understanding of Job’s true circumstances.
Conclusion
Job Chapter 2 serves as a critical turning point in the narrative, setting the stage for the theological and philosophical discussions that will follow. It challenges readers to reflect on the nature of faith, the reality of suffering, and the complexities of divine justice.
