Job 13
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Job was very sad. So sad. Everything had gone wrong for him. His animals were gone. His children were gone. And Job was sick, all over his body. It hurt so much.
Job had three friends. They came to sit with him. But the friends said strange things. They said, "Job, you must have done something wrong. That is why you are sick."
But Job had not done anything wrong. Job knew that. And so Job said, "I want to talk to God myself. Not to you. To God."
What Does This Mean?
Job was brave. Very brave. He looked up and said, "God, I want to talk to You. Are You listening?"
Job was not angry with God. Job just wanted to be close to God. Even now. Even now that everything hurt.
Job said, "God, I trust You. Even when I do not understand it. Even when I cry."
Look, that is very special. Job was so sad. But he still went to God. Not away from God, no. Toward God.
The Common Thread
Did you know? God loves it when we come to Him. Always. When you are happy, then too. When you are sad, then too. When you have a boo-boo, then too.
Later Jesus came. Jesus knows exactly how Job felt. Jesus was also very sad once. Jesus also cried. And Jesus said, "Come to Me. All of you. I will help you."
So you can always come. To God. To Jesus. Just the way you are.
For You
Sometimes you are sad too. Maybe you fell down. Or your tummy hurts. Or someone said something mean. Or you miss someone very much.
Then you can do what Job did. You can talk to God. Just say it out loud. Or very softly, inside.
You can say, "God, I am sad." You can say, "God, it hurts." You can say, "God, I do not understand it."
God is listening. Really. God is very close. Closer than you can see. He hears every little word. Even the ones you only whisper.
And do you know what is so beautiful? God does not get angry when you are sad. God takes you on His lap. In His big, warm arms.
Talk About It
When are you sometimes sad? What happens then in your tummy or in your heart?
What would you like to say to God today? Something happy, or something hard?
Praying Together
Dear God,
Thank You that You are listening. Always. Even when I am sad. Even when I cry.
You are so good. You are so close. Thank You that I can just tell You everything.
Amen.
Questions about Job 13
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Job 13 about?
What does Job 13 say?
What does Job 13 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Job 13?
Why is Job 13 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
At his lowest point Job says: though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him. That is not optimism. That is faith that has passed through the darkness. I always thought faith was something that makes things lighter, but with Job it is something that holds you when everything goes dark.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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