Deja Vu all over again...

Chapter 2 of Job offers a repeat (somewhat) of Chapter 1. Satan has again been wandering around the earth again, probably wanting to taunt God because of the apparent failure of His creation. Yeah, there was that Job thing, but he is just one out of so many others. But again, God draws his attention to Job. (Remember, last time this did not go very well for Job.)

Of course, Satan has his excuse. Job 2:4-6

Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

 So it doesn't matter that you take all his stuff, you haven't touched him. But if you make him personally suffer, he will hate you. So God once again gives Satan limited reign to attack Job. Only Satan must not take his life.

Does anyone else find it interesting that Satan does not take Job's wife? Was this part of his master plan to increase Job's suffering? I digress...

So his wife sees all that has happened, and tells him to end it all, just curse God and die. What a great supporter, helpmate. Job's response is quite incredible (Vs. 10)

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

I want to note two things from this verse. First, that Job views both good and bad as coming from God. This is not some kind of dualism, where good and evil are balanced forces. It is a view that God is sovereign, and in control of everything that happens. It is Job rejecting the view that this series of catastrophes is a consequence of his behavior as others will suppose. Second, note that in his reaction, Job did not sin with his lips. In other words, Job did not misspeak. Don't like this thought? Then you probably won't like these verses either...

Prov. 16:4  The Lord has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.

Amos 3:6  Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the Lord has done it?

 Or Is 45:7, Is 53:10, 2 Ki 15:5, 2 Sam 24:1...I could go on.

So at the end of the chapter, enter 3 friends. They came to offer sympathy and comfort. For 7 days they just sat and said nothing. It must have been a difficult 7 days for all.