Job’s Wife

In the Bible only one small statement is recorded about Job’s wife. It was written at a time when she and Job were struggling with the overwhelming hopelessness of their situation. Because the book of Job focuses on Job and his sufferings, it is easy to forget about Job’s wife. In fact we are not even given her name, yet this woman was Job’s partner in all the tragedies that he experienced. All that was written about her was a bitter cry to her husband in agony of spirit, “Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die.” Job 2:9.

Many condemn her for this outburst as it showed great lack of faith. What right did she have to complain when Job did not, and he was the one suffering extreme pain? If we were in her place would we react in a similar manner? In fact this comment of Job’s wife challenges us to consider: How would we express our deepest grief and pain? How would we respond to the brutal loss of everything dear and precious to us? Would our first thought be that God has abandoned us?

We can understand the pain that Job suffered from his many speeches recorded in the Bible, but the pain of Job’s wife remains unknown. We can only imagine how great it was, and how hopeless her situation must have seemed to her. All ten of her children were killed in one night in a tragic windstorm (Job 1:18-19). Not one escaped. The loss of One child can be devastating to a mother – or even having a child become extremely ill with no known cure; but how much can a mother’s heart bear if she loses all of her children.

While she was trying to cope with the shock of this tragedy, she also saw the loss of all their material wealth and then she began to see her husband’s body develop painful boils. (Job 2:7). Her beloved husband, her life-partner, was now in excruciating pain. It seemed too much for her to bear. In the midst of all her losses, she at least still had her husband alive for a while, but it appeared to her that he too might be taken away because he was so ill. This made her situation seem hopeless. Where was God when she needed Him the most? Why was He allowing this to happen? Why was He hot doing something about it.?

Although nothing is recorded about her sufferings, we can only try to understand why she said what she did. Her children were dead, her husband was dying. How could a God who allowed this to happen be trusted? – she must have wondered. In her mind she did not understand God and she came to the conclusion that He could not be trusted and therefore she chided Job for remaining faithful to God.

This heartrending cry of utter helplessness is understandable. It may be easier to deal with one’s own pain than to see a loved one hurting and be powerless to stop it.

Job responded to his grieving and bitter wife by saying, “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?” (Job 2:10). This may seem like a harsh reply, however this may have been the only way for Job to break through her tears. Whatever the case, Job’s statement points to the fact that no one is exempt from the realities of living in a broken world where sin and evil often have their way.

PROMISED TRIBULATION

Many years after this event, Jesus offers a similar view of the Christian’s life, “In the world ye shall have tribulation,” John 16:33.

Some people say that when we trust in Jesus as our Saviour and Lord, he will take away all of our troubles. But clearly He has not promised that. Instead He has promised to be there with us in the midst of our trials: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Heb. 13:5. The Lord will walk with us through the realities of life.

SUFFERING

While there are two different types of suffering, (physical and mental) both are equally difficult to experience without the Lord. Both kinds have led many people to suicide due to their inability to cope with the suffering. Job suffered physically and his wife, mentally, but both suffered together through the tragedy.

There has never been a life on this earth that has not been touched by suffering. Nothing is more feared and despised, whether it is the suffering person him/her self or close friends and relatives watching a loved one suffer. Often when we hear of sickness and tragedy and prayer is requested, we immediately begin to pray for the physical sufferer. What about the parents of the sick child? Or the pain of loved ones watching an elderly loved one suffer towards the end of their life? Imagine the sorrow the loved ones are experiencing, wishing they could do something to relieve the suffering but knowing there is nothing they can do to change things. They also need our prayers as they will need the strength and comfort from the Lord to help this loved one while they are suffering physically. They most certainly need our prayers as they are suffering mentally, and are in deep sorrow, shedding many tears for their suffering loved ones.

The Bible indicates that suffering is a part of the servants of God, “But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses. In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours, in watching in fasting” 2 Cor. 6:4,5.

However we are not left to suffer alone, “By pureness, by knowledge, by longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of righteousness on the right hand and on the left.” V. 6-7.

This type of –life would suggest that sufferings would produce sorrow, however Paul did not see it this way, “As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing all things.” V. 10. “We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed.” 2 Cor. 4:8,9. 1n these verses Paul presents some contrasts. On one side there is the frailty of earthen vessels and on the other side the power of God despite the frailty.

Every Christian finds himself in the midst of the age-long battle between Christ and Satan. Therefore you cannot escape tribulation. Yet the success that attends the efforts of frail human beings in the midst of tribulation and distress is due to the presence of Jesus in the person’s life. This is the only real way that a person can manage suffering. Job pointed his wife to the Lord.. He let her know that circumstances are not to control the life of the believers, rather circumstances are orchestrated by God to draw us closer to Him. She needed to let the Lord carry her burdens by giving Him her sorrow and trusting Him to still be in control of the situation.

As universal and hated as suffering is, it is often just as incomprehensible. Nothing else gives rise to so many heart-searching questions or so threatens the foundations of our faith in God. Then we hear it from the unbelievers, “How could a loving God permit so much pain and suffering in our world.” What do we answer? At one time or another I am sure we all thought about this question.

The Bible gives us many reasons why believers suffer today. Suffering is part of the process where a believer becomes more like Christ, “And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope.” Rom. 5:2-4. Our faith is tested and purified through suffering as precious metals are purified by fire, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” 1 Pet. 1:7.

Paul suffered for a different reason in his life, “And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” 2 Cor. 12:7-10. In Paul’s life his prayer for healing was not answered in the way he wanted. He was told that he must continue to suffer but that God’s grace would see him through.

Job was not given any reason for his suffering. He was a good, kind man. He was generous and he loved the Lord. By reading the Bible we understand that Satan was challenging God and for that reason God allowed Satan to torment Job. Was it just for show though or an experiment? Did Job need to increase his faith? We see that he already had strong faith in God. “The Lord gave, and the Lord taketh away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” Job 1:21. Could we say the same words if we lost all our material possessions and very nearly our life? However, as righteous as Job was perhaps God knew that he could be a better help to the poor, the sick, and the needy if he had actually experienced the same pain that they did. It is well to give counsel and encouragement to those in need and we can find many comforting words in the Bible to share with them, however the one that can give the best encouragement is the person who has personally experienced the pain. For this reason some suffer and I believe that perhaps this is one reason Job was allowed to suffer. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ. And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation. And our hope of you is steadfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.” 2 Cor. 1:3-7.

Jesus is our Mediator because He suffered all the sorrow that we go through. He “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” It was not God the Father or the Holy Spirit. It was Jesus who suffered and therefore, we can “Come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” Heb. 4:15,16. He understands because He has walked many miles in our shoes.

Once when Jesus went to heal a blind man, His disciples asked Him, “Master, who did sin, this man, or his parents, that he was born blind? 1esus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him.” John 9:2,3. “The belief of the Jews in regard to the relation of sin and suffering was held by Christ’s disciples. While Jesus corrected their error, He did not explain the cause of the man’s affliction, but told them what would be the result.;.. Thus Jesus answered the question of the disciples in a practical way, as He us].la1ly answered questions put to Him from curiosity. The disciples were hot called upon to discuss the question as to who had sinned or had not sinned, but to understand the power and mercy of God in giving sight to the blind.” DA 471.

Our pain opens up a pathway to a deeper, richer and more meaningful relationship with the Lord. “That I may know Him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto His death;” Phil. 3:10.

COMFORT

Comfort and ease were never intended for sinners, although sometimes Satan may make people comfortable so that they forget about God. More often than not, he loves to see people suffer. This is our situation on earth today and we are mistaken if we think we can rise above this imperfect condition without help outside of our selves.

Christ’s death and resurrection and His work in the Sanctuary in heaven reveals to us the seriousness of our condition. It took suffering and death for Him to break the bondage that holds all of God’s creation in its vicious grip. That suffering has made it possible for us to enter into new life. Now His work continues in us and with us throughout our lives. As true Christians we will find ourselves at war with our old ways, so we should not be surprised at pain and suffering in the walk of faith. “Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;” 1 Pet. 4: 1. It is all part of the gift of believing. “For unto you it is given in the be4alf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake,” Phil. 1 :29. It is the path to strength and steadiness, “But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.” 1 Pet. 5:10. It is the process of being completed, “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.” James 1:2,3.

The coming of Christ gave new dimension to suffering, for God became man to suffer and die for our sakes. As followers of Christ, we are called upon to follow His example of suffering for our own salvation as well as for others. Just as Christ died unjustly, we too may suffer in His name. But in suffering for Christ’s sake, we glorify God and open the way for great acts of faith. And by our suffering, we participate through Christ, in our own redemption and the redemption of others.

“For I reckon t4at the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us… For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.” Rom. 8:19,22,23.

The issue is not whether we will have to suffer, BUT how will we respond when suffering comes? Suffering may shake our faith in God or it can lead us to a deeper faith. .Despite Job’s suffering and the misunderstanding of his friends, the experience did bring him closer to the Lord. He did not learn why he suffered, but He learned to trust in the Lord.

Today we suffer the pain in this world that sin has caused. One day we will be set free from all sufferings. The pains are momentary and will pass away. The joy will be everlasting.

During her first vision of heaven, Sister White was led to say, “We tried to call up our greatest trials, but they looked so small compared with the far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory that surrounded us that we could not speak them out, and we all cried out, , Alleluia, heaven is cheap enough!’ ” EW17. Many of us know how much she suffered for the cause of truth. Many times her life hung in the balances between life and death, however she was able to look past her sufferings to the great beyond. And we also see the anguish she experienced when two of her children were taken – when she saw her husband ill and suffering. She suffered physically as well as mentally. Mental suffering is very real and needs to be acknowledged. People going through mental suffering need our prayers equally as those who are suffering physically. And the God of all comfort will be near to the sufferer who puts their trust in Him.

We truly are blessed as children of God, because we know that God cares about our pain. One of my favorite songs is: “Tears are a language that God understands.”

Verse 1
Often you’ve wondered why
tears come into your eyes,
And burdens seem to be much
More than you can stand.
But God is standing near,
He sees your falling tears,
Tears are a language
God understands.

Verse 2
When grief has brought you low,
It causes tears to flow,
Things have not turned out
The way that you had planned.
But God won’t forget you,
His promises are true,
Tears area language
God understands.

Chorus
God sees the tears
Of a broken hearted soul,
He sees your tears
And hears them when they fall.
God weeps along with man
And takes him by the hand;
Tears are a language
God understands..

For now, though we must suffer a little while, but we can look forward with joyful expectation to the eternal glory that is ours in Christ. The unbelievers in the world do not always understand the suffering they experience. And truly their sufferings are futile unless they come to know the Lord. This makes it all the more important that we reach out to show those who suffer in spiritual darkness – whatever the personal cost to us – to offer them the glorious hope that we possess.

The Bible does not tell us what happened to the faith of Job’s wife. Perhaps she reflected on her husband’s words and developed more trust in the Lord, despite severe tragedy. She more than likely listened to some of the conversation between Job and his friends as she tried to minister to her husband and make him more comfortable. She must have also come closer to the Lord as she shared in the blessings later, bearing 10 more children and enjoying the greater wealth in their later life.

We need to ask yourselves what would the quality of our faith be like if we are facing tragic circumstances as was Job’s wife? When troubles come our way, are we able to look past the pain and see the Lord, who is always with us? Can we pray to Him with honesty, expressing everything that is in our heart?

However great the trials we encounter, they are not beyond endurance. No Christian need be discouraged. Even when stripped of everything of earthly value his greatest treasure remains secure – beyond the reach of men or demons.

We all will have to suffer at one time or another, whether physically or mentally, or we may be asked to help a loved one through their suffering. This being the case we need to pray for each other and the Lord has promised to give us grace to endure.
AMEN