The story of Job is in all likelihood one of the oldest accounts in the Bible. It is set in the time before God had called Israel to be His chosen people on earth and had given them the Law. God is seen here still dealing directly with individuals, probably even before He called Abraham to leave the idolatry of Ur of the Chaldeans (Josh. 24:2). Peter in the house of Cornelius begins his message by saying, “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him” (Acts 10:34–35).

The account of Job is a striking example of how God accomplishes His purposes of good in the lives of His own against all the harm and evil that Satan in his wickedness can do against them. It illustrates well the truth of Romans 8:28: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Indeed, Psalm 119:68 tells us, “You are good, and do good,” and the verse goes on to add, “Teach me Your statutes.” We do well to be like Job who took all, even that which gave him tremendous pain, from the hand of God. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord,” and, “Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” (Job 1:21; 2:10).

Job knows nothing of the discussions about him between Satan and God. He cannot understand the purpose of all this calamity, but in all his struggling he still trusts God. “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him” (ch. 13:15), he says. May we do likewise!