Job 3
In Job 3, Job speaks for the first time at length, since the onslaught of the calamity. His first words fall far below Job’s spiritual maturity. The misery that Job is faced with has practically brought him to his knees. The suffering is so much, he would prefer that he had never been born. This is not out of selfishness but possibly out of compassion for the people he can no longer be compassionate towards. He shows far more compassion than those that surround him. This is just one chapter, do not judge Job’s spiritual maturity on these words. Consider that we ourselves would not be much better given similar circumstances; many a believer has yielded under far less suffering.
Job 3:1.
1After this opened Job his mouth, and cursed his day.
Just from this one verse, it is obvious that Job is in severe agony. If you are wondering what day Job is cursing, it will be obvious in the next verse. Do not judge Job too harshly based on his response to his tragedy. In most cases, when there is a loss of a child many are unable to pick up the pieces and move on quickly. Some never move on. Job who has just buried ten children must be in deep sorrow. To lose a child is to lose a part of oneself.
Job 3:2-10
2And Job spake, and said, 3Let the day perish wherein I was born, and the night in which it was said, There is a man child conceived. 4Let that day be darkness; let not God regard it from above, neither let the light shine upon it. 5Let darkness and the shadow of death stain it; let a cloud dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. 6As for that night, let darkness seize upon it; let it not be joined unto the days of the year, let it not come into the number of the months. 7Lo, let that night be solitary, let no joyful voice come therein. 8Let them curse it that curse the day, who are ready to raise up their mourning. 9Let the stars of the twilight thereof be dark; let it look for light, but have none; neither let it see the dawning of the day: 10Because it shut not up the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hid sorrow from mine eyes.
Job wants the day he was born to have never existed. As if the twenty-four hours were just skipped and all associated events would have never occurred. This is the request of an individual, who has experienced suffering that has overshadowed every part of his life. For a moment, Job is only focused on his present condition. For all of us, this is an unrealistic request. Does he prefer this because of his own suffering? Possibly, it is because of the sorrow of others, ten lives were cut short. That in itself is horrifying, even more so when it is your children. To compound the issue, Job cannot even properly morn. Job is in pain over his physical condition. His mind is being pulled in many different directions, it has overwhelmed him at this time.
Further, Job is alone in his suffering. His wife and all his friends have turned their backs on him. There is not one to support him in his time of need and suffering. When one goes through a horrific event, one would hope that their spouse would be there to support and comfort them. For Job that has not happened.
Job is responding in a way many have at one time or another in their lives when the pain of life is overwhelming. Job has been hit with more calamity in a short time, than many of us will see in a lifetime. His basic question is, why did he have to be born? This is a just a momentary thought for Job. As the book continues, it is clear that this is not Job’s true feelings, he realizes that this is not an option. Job looks to another option, but in the end neither is acceptable. Job realizes when we make choices like this, it is very myopic and selfish. It negates all the other things that have occurred in life. Job will move on from this thought.
Job’s next option is in Job 3:11-12.
11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? 12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck?
Job realizes that not being born is not an option, so he questions why did he not just die at birth? Job is not one short on intelligence. These are the cries of a man in pain. He did not curse God, but he is overcome by emotions. These emotions are not only from the pain he feels, but possibly also the empathetic pain for his children and those affected by his tragedy. What is important here is what Job states next, because this is a truth that few understand. Had they known it, it might have brought comfort to them in their own suffering. Listen carefully to what Job states in Job 3:13-19
13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; 15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: 16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. 17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 18There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. 19The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
Job is pretty clear here, if he had died at birth, Job would have gone to a place where kings, princes and the wicked all go. There is only one place and they all rest together there, the small and the great. Job is speaking in terms of nonbelievers, those who do not have salvation, who are not born-again. It was the only option available to Job and all others until the cross.
In the Hebrew, this place is called Sheol (7585). Job does not use the word Sheol in this chapter; however, his description of the afterlife perfectly aligns with the Hebrew understanding of Sheol, as described in the Bible. (Job will use Sheol (7585) in subsequent chapters, 7, 11, 14, 17, 21, 24 and 26.) Sheol is found in the Hebrew Scriptures 65 times, eight times in the Book of Job. In the King James translation, it is translated the grave 31 times, hell 31 times and pit 3 times. Honestly, none of these words describe the meaning of the word Sheol. There actually is not an equivalent English word for Sheol. That is why in modern Bible translations, Sheol is not translated.
Today there is considerable confusion or just plain ignorance as to the meaning of Sheol. If one is to ask the average Christian believer where one goes when they die, the stock answer would be; believers or those saved go to heaven, while non-believers go to hell. However, that is not what Job is stating. As an individual endeavors to understand the Book of Job, they must keep the following in mind. First in Job 1:8 and 2:3, God tells Satan that Job is a righteous man. So much so, there was no one on earth that compared to Job, Job 2:3.
3And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
Secondly, God stated twice at the end of the book, as in Job 42:7.
7And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
Job had spoken correctly concerning God. We must be careful not to discount what Job is telling us, God did not. Job is correct in what he is stating; even though it may disagree with what many believe. It does not change the fact that God confirmed Job’s words.
Now what follows may not fit perfectly with mainstream doctrine; nevertheless, that does not make it wrong. God warned all of mankind in Exodus 23:2.
2Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:
When validating truth, it does not come before a delegation of theologians for a vote. Truth is dictated by God. If our particular doctrine is not aligned with the 66 books of the Bible, then it is wrong. It is better to be in opposition to the majority of believers and aligned with the majority of one, God. I would ask the reader to take time to study what follows and not to be too quick to discount what is written. Remember, Job was validated by God.
Throughout the Hebrew Scriptures, Sheol (7585) is associated with death. It is first used in Genesis 37:35. Grave is the Hebrew word Sheol (7585).
35And all his sons and all his daughters rose up to comfort him; but he refused to be comforted; and he said, For I will go down into the grave unto my son mourning. Thus his father wept for him.
What we need to remember, regardless of the English translation, Sheol has a consistent meaning. Literally, Sheol (7585) is the Hebrew word for the place of departed souls. It is the resting place of the dead, specifically where the soul rests and waits. These souls are waiting for an event that Job will infer in a later chapter. In the case of Jacob, can one honestly believe that Jacob had any desire or belief that he was going to a fiery hell?
Absolutely not! There is no logical reason for Jacob to desire to go to a fiery hell. Jacob was weary and wanted rest. He wanted to forget that his son, Joseph, had died. Jacob’s preference at this time in his life was to join his son Joseph in Sheol at rest. Jacob, similar to Job, wanted to end this life and wait for the next event.
Another example of others that are in Sheol (7585), Numbers 16:30.
30But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD.
Pit is the Hebrew word Sheol (7585). These people went to Sheol (7585), the same place Jacob wanted to go. Yet it states that they provoked the Lord, these I would not consider good or as righteous as Jacob. There is a little more information concerning these in Numbers 16:27-29.
27So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. 28And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. 29If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me.
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram tried to lead a revolt against Moses, Numbers 16:1-3.
1Now Korah, the son of Izhar, the son of Kohath, the son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, and On, the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men: 2And they rose up before Moses, with certain of the children of Israel, two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown: 3And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them, Ye take too much upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them: wherefore then lift ye up yourselves above the congregation of the LORD?
Korah, Dathan, and Abiram tried to usurp Moses’ God given authority. They ended up in Sheol (7585), the very same place Jacob wanted to go. In the Hebrew Scriptures, both the good and wicked end up in the same place. There is no differentiation, nor are there different classifications in Sheol. It is not as some may claim, that there is a place of the righteous and another for the wicked. There is no scripture that supports such a concept. All those that are not born-again, go to Sheol where their soul sleeps until the appointed time. (The concept of the appointed time is discussed later in Job 14.)
Again Sheol refers to the place of departed souls. Sheol does not distinguish character. The word hell which is so vividly used in our language today is actually derived from the old English word, helan. It describes the practice of burying potatoes in the cellar for the long winter to prevent spoilage. One would do this to preserve them for a later time. This was call helan potatoes. The confusion arises today not from what the Bible states, but from man’s preconceived ideas. Many of the beliefs that people have related to the afterlife stem from Dante’s Inferno, which is a work of fiction with little, if any, biblical basis. We should obtain biblical concepts from the Bible and not from books or people’s opinions and emotions.
There is an absolute consistency in the Bible concerning Sheol (7585) as further demonstrated with the biblical phrase “slept with his fathers”. The writer of the book of Acts states in Acts 13:22.
22And when he had removed him, he raised up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony, and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will.
God spoke well of King David. David, with all his faults, is considered to be a righteous man. When David died, where did David go? It is written in 1 King 2:10 concerning of David’s death.
10So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David.
When David died, the Bible states that David slept with his fathers. However, David was not buried with his fathers. David’s fathers were shepherds not kings. Hezekiah a descendent of David, the Bible states in 2 Chronicles 31:20.
20And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
Where did Hezekiah go when he died? Probably the same place as David, 2 Kings 20:21.
21And Hezekiah slept with his fathers: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.
Hezekiah slept with his fathers too. That should makes sense, Hezekiah was a good king just like David.
Hezekiah’s son Manasseh was the next king in Judah. Yet the Bible states about Manasseh in 2 Kings 21:1-2.
1Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, after the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.
Manasseh is considered to be the worst king in the history of Judah. However, as bad as Manasseh was, when he died it is recorded in 2 Kings 21:18A.
18AAnd Manasseh slept with his fathers, and was buried in the garden of his own house,
His soul went to Sheol (7585) like his fathers before him. The phrase “slept with his fathers” is not referring to a physical place, it refers to where the soul sleeps. Manasseh was not good like his father; however, it does not seem to matter in this case. He still “slept with his fathers” like those before him.
Someone might ask, how do we know that the statement, “slept with his fathers” is not in reference to a location? Hezekiah and Manasseh were buried in different locations. Hezekiah was buried in 2 Chronicles 32:33A:
33AAnd Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death
Hezekiah was buried in “the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David”. Whereas, Manasseh was buried in the garden of Uzza. These are two different physical locations. Yet scripture states about both of them that they slept with their fathers. The phrase slept with their fathers, as it is used in scriptures, refers to the soul. Whereas the body is buried in Qeber (keh’-ber) (6913), the Hebrew word for grave.
For many, this may not match up with their personal theology. Most of us have been taught that the good go to one place and the bad to another. But not according to scripture and not according to what Job stated, who God supported. In the Hebrew Scriptures, when people die whether good or bad; they go to the same place, Sheol (7585). Now one may ask about the New Testament concerning this subject. It agrees with the Hebrew Scriptures; however, that is beyond this present discussion.
The reason why this phrase “Slept with His Fathers” is used in the Hebrew Scriptures is because, when one dies, they go to an unconscious state of rest awaiting the appointed time.
Ecclesiastes 9 discussed the difference between those who are alive and those who are dead, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6.
5For the living know that they shall die: but the dead know not anything, neither have they any more a reward; for the memory of them is forgotten. 6Also their love, and their hatred, and their envy, is now perished; neither have they any more a portion for ever in any thing that is done under the sun.
Then in Ecclesiastes 9:10.
10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.
From these verses, it can be understood that the living know and the dead do not know anything. The living are conscious and the dead are unconscious. The body of the dead is gone. Their soul exists; however, it is unconscious. In the Hebrew Scriptures, this is a consistent understanding.
The psalmist wrote in Psalm 6:5.
5For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
Grave is the Hebrew word Sheol (7585). The Psalmist is stating that the dead, because of their unconscious state, do not remember God nor can they praise Him. The unbeliever is in an unconscious state of rest awaiting the appointed time. This is a consistent thought in Psalms.
Psalm 115:17
17The dead praise not the LORD, neither any that go down into silence.
Psalms 146:3-4
3Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help. 4His breath goeth forth, he returneth to his earth; in that very day his thoughts perish.
Remember what happened to Job in the previous two chapters. Job had gone through untold pain and misery. Yet Job stated in Job 14:13.
13O that thou wouldest hide me in the grave, that thou wouldest keep me secret, until thy wrath be past, that thou wouldest appoint me a set time, and remember me!
Grave is the Hebrew word Sheol (7585). The same word used for hell in the Hebrew Scriptures. After all the pain and suffering Job had gone through, why would Job want to go to the fiery hell that most people believe in?
The only possible conclusion is that Job, being an inspired servant of God, knew that this was a not a place of torment, but a place of rest. Job was weary of suffering. Job wanted to be released from his suffering so that he could rest until the appointed time.
Unless you believe that Job had suffered so much that he was insane with pain and clearly did not know what he was stating. One could assume that; however, that would completely discount God’s statement in Job 42:7 and 8, when God stated that Job had spoken correctly concerning God.
Job was not the only individual in the Hebrew Scriptures that put forth the understanding that Sheol (7585) is a place of rest rather than a heated place of torment. It is interesting when one investigates the Hebrew word Sheol what one will find. Many have heard of the story of Jonah. They may not know why Jonah did what he did or that Jonah traveled east rather than west, but most know that it was Jonah who was swallowed by the fish. Although most individuals believe that it was a whale, the scriptures clearly tell us that it was just a big fish. How big? I do not know. What type? I could not even wager a guess. However, after being in that fish for a few days, Jonah was ready to get out. The book of Jonah records in Jonah 2:1-2.
1Then Jonah prayed unto the LORD his God out of the fish’s belly, 2And said, I cried by reason of mine affliction unto the LORD, and he heard me; out of the belly of hell (sheol) cried I, and thou heardest my voice.
Hell is the Hebrew word Sheol (7585). Jonah, who is in the fish, compared the belly of the fish to Sheol. Jonah did not compare it to Hell as it is written, it was the translator that chose the word Hell. The translator could just as well translated Sheol as Antarctica. The word chosen for translation does not change the meaning of the original language. Beside which, who has ever cut open a fish, and then discovered that it was on fire on the inside?
Jonah compared the belly of the fish to Sheol, because that was Jonah’s understanding. Jonah used the word Sheol and not some word that represents a fiery place, because the belly of the fish was a dark place void of the outside world.
I want to mention one last thing before I continue with Job. If you still struggle with this understanding, consider the following. I have not stated there is not such a place as Hell, the final resting place of the unsaved. That is not part of the discussion. What I have tried to show the reader is that at death; the Hebrew Scriptures support an unconscious place of rest waiting for the appointed time.
I know this can be a very controversial subject, so I want to provide you with an opinion that should cause you to think, God’s stated opinion, because God is not silent on this subject.
During the reign of the kings of Judah, there were some awful things happening. The Israelites were actually burning their children. These were sacrifices to false gods. God stated in Jeremiah 7:30.
30For the children of Judah have done evil in my sight, saith the LORD: they have set their abominations in the house which is called by my name, to pollute it.
In Jeremiah 7:31A, God is even more explicit.
31AAnd they have built the high places of Tophet, which is in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to burn their sons and their daughters in the fire;
The Valley of the son of Hinnom was a garbage dump outside of Jerusalem. Its fires burned continuously. Bodies of criminals were thrown in there, who were not considered worthy of a proper burial. This was even used as a garbage dump in the first century A.D. God goes on to say in Jeremiah 7:31B.
31Bwhich I commanded them not, neither came it into my heart.
God stated that it never came into His heart to burn people. We have to think deeply here. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, remember this is God speaking. Yet the prevailing teaching in the churches of today is that God will burn people in torment for eternity.
Now, I am not stating either way. I am just showing you what God stated. The question is, who are you going to believe? God is not finished here, Jeremiah 19:5.
5They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spake it, neither came it into my mind:
Again in Jeremiah 32:35.
35And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.
Three times God stated similarly. It is recorded in Ecclesiastes 4:12B:
12Band a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
God said three times that it neither came it into His heart or mind. If God stated so clearly that He never thought of it, how can one believe that He would commit someone to burn for eternity? The doctrine of the burning fiery place of torment called hell is in contradiction with Jeremiah. How is it possible the two can coexist?
These verses in Jeremiah are not hidden, nor are they difficult to understand. They are actually quite clear and it is God speaking in the first person. One person told me that these verses in Jeremiah were not applicable since these people were burned in regards to false gods which is obviously wrong. In the case of the true God, it would be acceptable to burn a person for eternity. Although that made sense to that particular individual, it seemed a bit inconsistent to me. Why is it believers will fervently proclaim a doctrine that defies scriptures and represents God as overtly cruel? Possibly God has a different plan for mankind and can accomplish the same without being blatantly vindictive and callous.
The discussion above is only a small percentage of the passages in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yet they are representative of the concept of Sheol, the place of the dead. Both the good and the wicked go to Sheol. There is no differentiation. It is a place of unconscious rest, not a place of suffering.
My goal here is not to try and completely change a person’s doctrine. What I am hoping to achieve is that the reader would consider what Job stated. God stated in Job 42 that Job spoke correctly. Further, Job’s words in Job 3 are consistent with the Hebrew Scriptures. If one can consider that Job is actually correct, then there is a lot more to come. If you are under the impression that Job was not righteous, which is counter to God, then the majority of this book is of little value to you. When one actually considers what Job has stated up to this point, they may realize that many of the things stated about Job are just outright slanderous. When that occurs, it would be easy to consider that Job may be right about a lot more. And ultimately, the Book of Job is worthy of study for all.
Again read Job’s word in Job 3:11-19. However, this time read it with an open mind considering the possibility that Job’s understanding and that of the Hebrew prophets may be right. Even though, it conflicts with what is professed today. Remember, God stated that Job was correct concerning the things of God.
Job had accepted his position in life and was looking forward to rest. Job wanted to have relief from the pain and suffering. Something many have cried out for at one time or another.
11Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the belly? 12Why did the knees prevent me? or why the breasts that I should suck? 13For now should I have lain still and been quiet, I should have slept: then had I been at rest, 14With kings and counsellors of the earth, which built desolate places for themselves; 15Or with princes that had gold, who filled their houses with silver: 16Or as an hidden untimely birth I had not been; as infants which never saw light. 17There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest. 18There the prisoners rest together; they hear not the voice of the oppressor. 19The small and great are there; and the servant is free from his master.
Job stated that the small, great and even the wicked are in this place of rest. Why would Job want to end life and go to rest? Job stated in Job 17:13-16:
13If I wait, the grave is mine house: I have made my bed in the darkness. 14I have said to corruption, Thou art my father: to the worm, Thou art my mother, and my sister. 15And where is now my hope? as for my hope, who shall see it? 16They shall go down to the bars of the pit, when our rest together is in the dust.
Grave is the Hebrew word Sheol. Job describes Sheol as a resting place with hope. There is an important thought in the Hebrew Scriptures that Job alludes to that provides real hope, Job 19:25-26.
25For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: 26And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:
Job knew that in the latter days he would see God. Job’s hope was in the future to come at the appointed time. In later chapters, I will explore this concept further. Overall, Job paints a more loving picture of God than many today. Job goes on to state in Job 3:20-24:
20Wherefore is light given to him that is in misery, and life unto the bitter in soul; 21Which long for death, but it cometh not; and dig for it more than for hid treasures; 22Which rejoice exceedingly, and are glad, when they can find the grave? 23Why is light given to a man whose way is hid, and whom God hath hedged in? 24For my sighing cometh before I eat, and my roarings are poured out like the waters.
Job had gone through untold suffering at this time. The text is not clear how long this had been going on; however, Job was looking to end his life. Job was looking forward to an appointed time in the future. Job just wanted rest from his life.
Now there are those that would like to believe that Job brought all this pain and suffering on himself. They point to Job 3:25.
25For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
They state that because of Job’s fear, Job brought this into existence. This is a very simplified and incorrect view of the Book of Job and life itself. These are people whose doctrine is that their words determine their state in life. Usually these are those who cling to the “Name It and Claim It” doctrine or the “Faith Movement”. This doctrine ignores God’s grace and relies too much on the works of the believer.
The book of Job is clear. It was a discussion between God and Satan that lead to Job’s situation. Remember what God stated in Job 1:8:
8And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?
Job feared God above all and avoided evil. Job lived a sanctified life. It was Job’s fear or reverence for God that protected Job. Further, God stated at the end of Job 2:3B:
3Balthough thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause.
God stated that there was no cause for such pain and suffering. There was something much different occurring here.
But if one believes that their fears cancel out their Christian faith; then one ought to rethink their doctrine. They may discover that they believe more in eastern religions than in the Bible, and that they have left little room for the grace of God in their lives. We are more than conquers and God provides much better for us, regardless of our fears if we walk obedient to Him.
In Job’s case, Romans 8:28 is applicable.
28And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
It is not that all things in life are to be good. It is that all things that happen in life are for the good if two requirements are met. First one must love God. The Bible defines love far differently than many of us have experienced. It is a love that commands obedience and a complete commitment. Second, one must be called according to His purpose. This means believers will sometimes go through struggles in life. We may even get the short end of the stick to meet the purpose of God. This is what is occurring in the Book of Job.
God had a purpose and object lesson for us all to learn from the Book of Job. Job was a willing participant in many ways, although not always happy. It was Job who told his wife, and all of us, in Job 2:10:
10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job accepted his lot in life, good or bad, and worshiped God. Maybe it is about time we learn from him. Job proved to be faithful to God’s Word.
Job ends this chapter with Job 3:26
26I was not in safety, neither had I rest, neither was I quiet; yet trouble came.
Although Job had a hedge of protection in his life, he now concludes that he was not as safe as he thought he was. Job understood the mechanics of the hedge. He recognized that it would keep him safe as long as he walked with God. However, in Job’s mind, if that was true, how could all this be happening to him? Job never considered the possibility that God allowed Satan to have his way with Job. God does not use Satan to punish the people of God. Job at this point can only assume that he was not at rest.
In Job’s first speech after suffering so much, Job desires to be at rest. Job, who was considered perfect, has no clear answer as to why this is happening to him. The suffering has brought him to such a low point in his life, he would rather God just end his suffering and allow him rest in Sheol.
There is one last thing to consider, before moving on to the next chapter. Satan stated in Job 2:4-5:
4And Satan answered the Lord, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.
Apparently Satan was wrong again, Job was unwilling to curse God for his life. Job would have rather died than curse God and live. Job choose death over disobedience.
Next Job 4
Back to Job 2
Return to Job, The Book of Life
Return to Books of the Bible