Chapter Summary
Core Passages from Job 1
Job 1:8And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"
Job 1:9-10Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
Satan, whose name means 'the accuser,' poses the central question of the book: is Job's faith genuine, or is it solely a response to God's blessings and protection? This challenges the motivation behind all worship.Job 1:21And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
In the face of losing his wealth and all his children, Job's response is one of the most powerful statements of faith in the Bible. He acknowledges God's sovereignty over all of life, both in giving and in taking away.
Historical & Cultural Context
A Portrait of a Blessed Man
The story begins on earth, in the land of Uz, introducing us to Job. He is described as successful and the epitome of righteousness - a man who is 'blameless and upright,' fears God, and actively turns from evil. We see his immense wealth and large family, which in his culture were considered clear signs of God's favor. His spiritual leadership is also highlighted as he consistently prays and offers sacrifices for his children, concerned for their spiritual well-being.
A Challenge in the Heavenly Court
The perspective dramatically shifts from earth to heaven, where angelic beings, called 'the sons of God,' present themselves before the Lord. Among them comes Satan, not as a ruler of hell, but as a roaming accuser. God points out Job's integrity, but Satan counters with a cynical accusation: Job is only faithful because God has blessed him so much. A divine permission is then granted for Satan to test this claim by taking away Job's possessions and family, setting the stage for the tragedy to come.
From Blessing to Brokenness: A Test of Faith
Job 1 masterfully moves between three distinct scenes. It opens by establishing the impeccable character and blessed life of Job on earth (1:1-5). The narrative then transports us to the heavenly throne room for a dramatic conversation between God and Satan that decides Job's fate (1:6-12). Finally, the scene returns to earth, where a series of catastrophic events unfold, putting Job's faith to the ultimate test (1:13-22).
The Man Who Had Everything (Job 1:1-5)
1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters.
3 His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east.
4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.
5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, "It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did continually.
Commentary:
Job is introduced as a supremely righteous and blessed man who is deeply devoted to God and his family.
The Heavenly Wager (Job 1:6-12)
6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them.
7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.”
8 And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"
9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, "Does Job fear God for no reason?
10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land.
11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”
12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.
Commentary:
In heaven, Satan challenges the integrity of Job's faith, and God permits a test to prove its genuineness.
The Storm of Calamity (Job 1:13-19)
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them,
15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, "Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house,
19 Behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Commentary:
In a series of four swift and devastating disasters, Job loses all his wealth, his servants, and every one of his children.
Worship in the Ashes (Job 1:20-22)
20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped.
21 And he said, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord."
22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.
Commentary:
Despite his immense grief, Job responds with worship, blessing God's name and passing the first test of his faith.
Unseen Realities and Unshakable Faith
The Sovereignty of God
This chapter establishes that God is in complete control, even over the forces of evil and chaos. He sets the limits on Satan's power, demonstrating that nothing happens outside of His ultimate authority, even if it is painful and difficult to understand.
The Nature of True Faith
Job 1 forces us to ask why we follow God. Satan's accusation suggests that much of what passes for faith is merely self-interest. Job's response, however, models a faith that is rooted in God's character, not in the blessings He provides.
The Mystery of Suffering
The chapter immediately dismantles the simplistic idea that all suffering is a direct punishment for sin. Job is afflicted not because he is wicked, but precisely because he is righteous. This introduces the book's central theme: the righteous can and do suffer, and the reasons are often hidden in the wisdom of God.
Finding Strength When Life Falls Apart
Job 1 reveals that God is sovereign, meaning He has ultimate authority over everything, including Satan. He is also confident in His people, as shown when He holds up Job as an example of faithfulness (Job 1:8). While He may permit trials, it is not without purpose, even when that purpose is hidden from our view.
This chapter encourages you to examine the foundation of your own faith. Ask yourself if your devotion to God is dependent on a comfortable life. Job's story challenges you to cultivate a faith that worships God for who He is, not merely for what He gives, so that your trust remains firm even when circumstances are shaken (Job 1:21).
Worshiping in the ashes means choosing to honor God even in your darkest moments of pain, confusion, or loss. It's about honestly expressing your grief, as Job did by tearing his clothes, while still bending your knee to God's goodness and authority (Job 1:20). It is a powerful declaration that your hope is in God, not in your circumstances.
Faith Beyond Circumstance and Blessing
Job 1 opens with a significant question about the very nature of faith: is it simply a contract with God for a good life? By pulling back the curtain to the heavenly realm, the chapter reveals that our lives are part of a much larger, unseen story. The ultimate message is that true faith is not tied to our circumstances but to the unchanging character of God. It is a trust so deep that it can withstand the fiercest storms and still declare, 'blessed be the name of the Lord.'
What This Means for Us Today
The story of Job is a stark reminder that we are not promised a life free from pain. Instead, we are invited to trust a God who is sovereign over it all. Job's initial response teaches us that it is possible to hold grief in one hand and worship in the other, trusting that our ultimate hope is secure in God, not in our earthly possessions or even our relationships.
- In what area of your life do you need to trust God's sovereignty, even without understanding His purpose?
- How can you practice worshiping God this week, regardless of whether your circumstances are good or bad?
- Who in your life is suffering and needs to be reminded that God sees them, as He saw Job?
Further Reading
Immediate Context
The narrative continues as Satan appears before God again and is permitted to afflict Job's physical body, intensifying the test of his faith.
Connections Across Scripture
This passage shows the serpent's first act of accusing God's character and questioning human motives, a role Satan continues in the book of Job.
The New Testament looks back on Job as the ultimate example of perseverance and patience in suffering, encouraging believers to endure.
This verse warns believers about a spiritual adversary who roams like a lion, echoing Satan's description of himself as 'going to and fro on the earth.'
Discussion Questions
- How does the scene in heaven (Job 1:6-12) change your perspective on suffering and hardship in the world?
- Job's response in verses 20-21 is extraordinary. What do you think is a more typical human response to such tragedy, and what can we learn from Job's example?
- Satan's core accusation is that people only serve God for what they can get out of it. How have you seen this to be true or untrue in your own life or in the world around you?
Glossary
figures
Job
A wealthy and righteous non-Israelite man whose faith is put to an extreme test.
Satan
A Hebrew title meaning 'the accuser' or 'the adversary,' referring to a heavenly being who challenges human righteousness before God.
Sons of God
A term used in the Old Testament to refer to angelic or heavenly beings who serve in God's divine council.