The Explanation

There was a man named Job. He lived in a land called Uz. Job was a good man. He loved God and stayed far away from doing wrong. God knew Job's heart, and Job's heart was true.

Job had ten children, seven sons and three daughters. He had thousands of sheep and camels, oxen and donkeys. He was the richest man for miles around. His sons often had feasts together, and they always invited their sisters. But Job did something quiet and important after every feast. Early in the morning, he offered sacrifices to God for each of his children. "It may be that my sons have sinned," Job said. He wanted his children to be right with God, even in secret.

One day, something happened far away, in heaven. God's angels came to stand before him. And Satan came too, walking among them.

"Where have you come from?" God asked Satan.

"From walking through the earth," Satan answered, "back and forth, up and down."

Then God said something surprising. "Have you noticed my servant Job? There is no one like him on the whole earth. He is good and honest. He fears me and turns from evil."

Satan sneered. "Does Job love you for nothing? You have protected him like a wall around his house, his family, everything he owns. Of course he loves you, look how you have blessed him! But stretch out your hand and take it all away. Then he will curse you to your face."

God answered, "Everything he has is in your power. Only do not touch Job himself." And Satan went out.

What Does This Mean?

This is strange and hard to hear. Would God really let this happen? Yes. But notice something: God is still in charge. Satan cannot do anything without permission. And God says something wonderful about Job first: "There is no one like him." God was proud of Job before the trouble even started. That matters. Job's goodness was real, not fake, not for show. Satan wanted to prove Job only loved God because of his riches. God trusted Job more than that.

Then the terrible day came. While the sons and daughters were feasting together, messengers ran to Job, one after another. Raiders stole the oxen and donkeys and killed the servants. Fire fell from the sky and burned up the sheep. More raiders stole the camels. And then the worst news: a mighty wind struck the house where his children were eating, and it fell on them. All ten of Job's children died in one moment.

Job stood up. He tore his robe, he shaved his head, signs of enormous grief. Then he fell to the ground. But he did not curse God. He worshiped. "Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be Yahweh's name," he said. In all this, Job did not sin.

The Common Thread

Job suffered even though he had done nothing wrong. Centuries later, Jesus also suffered though he had done no wrong at all. Job's story whispers forward to Jesus, the truly blameless one, who trusted his Father even in the darkest hour, even on the cross. Job shows us it is possible to hurt terribly and still say, "Blessed be your name." Jesus shows us why: because God can be trusted completely, even when everything is falling apart.

For You

When something sad happens to you, a friend moves away, or you lose something you love, you can still talk to God. You do not have to pretend you are fine. Job cried and tore his clothes. But he still turned to God, not away from him. This week, when something goes wrong, try praying instead of only complaining. Tell God how you feel, and trust him anyway.

Talk About It

Why do you think Job still praised God even after such terrible news?

Has something ever made you really sad? What did you do?

Praying Together

Dear God, life is not always easy, and sometimes very sad things happen. Help us trust you like Job did, even when we don't understand. Thank you that you are always good, and always near. Amen.