Job 34
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
It was hot. The ground was dry and dusty.
On the ground sat a man. His name was Job. Job was very sick. He had sores on his arms and on his legs. They hurt. Everything hurt.
Job was sad too. So sad. All his sheep were gone. His house was gone. His children were gone. Job sat in the dust and he cried.
Around Job sat his friends. They talked. And they talked. And they talked some more. Big words, lots of words.
But there was someone else there. A young man. He sat still and said nothing at all. His name was Elihu. He listened. He listened for a very long time.
And then Elihu stood up.
What Does This Mean?
"Listen," said Elihu. "Listen to me."
Everyone turned around. Everyone looked at the young man.
"God never does anything wrong," said Elihu. "Not ever. Not one time. God is good."
Elihu pointed up at the sky. "God made you. God made me. God made the king in his big house. And God made the poor man with no shoes. God loves them both, just the same."
Then Elihu said something you must remember.
"God sees everything. God sees where you walk. God sees where you go."
Elihu looked around at the friends. It was getting late. Soon it would be night.
"Even when it is dark," said Elihu, "God still sees. Even in the very darkest dark. Nobody can hide from God."
The Common Thread
Elihu was quiet for a moment.
Then he said, "And God hears."
Somewhere far away, a poor man was crying. He had no bread. He had no help. Nobody listened to him.
But God listened. God heard that man crying. God always hears crying.
That is how God is. He hears the smallest sound. A little baby crying at night. A boy who fell down and scraped his knee. A girl who is scared in her bed.
God hears. God comes close.
Long, long after Job, God came all the way down to us. He came as a little baby. Jesus. And Jesus heard people crying too. Jesus went to them. Jesus helped them. Jesus is good, just like his Father.
For You
Sometimes it is dark in your room at night. Very dark. Maybe you cannot see your bed. Maybe you cannot see your hands.
But God can see you.
God sees you in the dark. God knows your name. And when you cry, God hears you. Even a very soft cry. Even a cry inside, that nobody else hears.
You never have to be all alone. Not ever.
Talk About It
Is it dark in your bedroom at night? Who can see you when it is dark?
What would you like to tell God, if He is listening right now?
Praying Together
Dear God,
You see me. Even in the dark.
You hear me when I cry.
Thank You that You are good.
Amen.
Questions about Job 34
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Job 34 about?
What does Job 34 say?
What does Job 34 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Job 34?
Why is Job 34 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
In a moment they die, even at midnight." Elihu is talking about the powerful, the ones with guards at the door. And still they go, "without a hand." No army needed, no coup, no warning. It levels something in me. The things I'm anxious to protect, the standing I work so hard to hold, all of it rests in hands that aren't mine. What would change if you lived today knowing that?
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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