THOUGH YOU INCITED ME AGAINST HIM: To this agree the
words of Job himself: "God's hand has touched me" (Job 19:21; 42:11).
Job 2:4
"Job will suffer the loss of family and possessions, but will
desire above all else, and will do anything necessary, to save his own
skin."
SKIN: That which is nearest and most precious, ie one's
life: Job 7:5; 10:11; 18:13; 19:20,26; 30:30; 41:7; cp Mic 3:2,3.
Job 2:6
In the life of a righteous man (as in the life of Jesus), God
must answer the question of "Satan": He must discover (1) if a man really has
faith, and (2) why he chooses to serve God. (It may not be so much that GOD
needs to know, as that the "satans" of life need to be shown, and the man
himself needs to find out.)
Job 2:7
PAINFUL SORES: "Shechim" = boils of leprosy: Lev
13:1-20,23. "Botch of Egypt": Deu 28:27,35; Exo 9:9,11. Hezekiah was afflicted
with such (Isa 38:21; 2Ki 20:7), as was the Lazarus of Christ's parable (Luk
16:21).
Prob elephantiasis, characterized by black, corrugated skin
and swollen limbs. It attacks limbs first, then spreads to rest of the body
(though Job is smitten all at once). Symptoms: excruciating itch (Job 2:8),
disfigurements (Job 2:12), internal ulcers, causing loathsome smell and breath
(Job 19:17,20). The sores breed worms (Job 7:5), alternately closing and
opening. Characterized by, alternately, bloating and emaciation (Job 16:18),
high fever, horrible dreams (Job 7:14), unearthly terrors (Job 3:25), sensation
of choking (Job 7:15), incessant pain (Job 12:1-4). The disease was incurable,
but allowed for long years of suffering before death (EMS 9).
"Job has now lost his wealth (Job 1:14-17), his family (Job
1:18,19), and his health (Job 2:7). Three massive hits, all of which arrive
within an unnaturally short period of time. Three amazing calamities that are
just so dreadful, so painful and so extensive in their damage, that Job is
instantly crippled by them. He is given no time to recover between each one, so
his reaction is spontaneous...
"What a remarkable parallel with Christ, in every particular.
How appropriate that his adversaries attacked three specific aspects of his life
-- wealth, family and health: (a) 'You have no money,' said the Pharisees,
'therefore you are nothing.' 'But here is a coin for the taxes,' he replied,
'and my real treasure is in heaven, where yours should be also.' (b) 'You have
no father,' said the Pharisees, 'therefore you are nobody.' 'But my Father is
God,' he replied, 'and my brothers and sisters are those who keep His
commandments.' (c) 'You are mortal,' said the Pharisees, 'and therefore you can
be killed.' 'But I lay down my own life so that I might take it up again,' he
replied, 'and I will give new life to all those who die with me' " (David
Burke).
Job 2:8
ASHES: "Epher" = animal dung. Accumulated in dung hill,
used for fuel.
Job 2:9
"Satan" is mentioned no more from this point forward, having
served his purpose of introducing the problem of Job.
CURSE GOD AND DIE: Superstitious idea that if one get
God angry enough, then He will slay him -- thus ending his suffering.
Job 2:10
GOOD... AND NOT TROUBLE?: Both good and "evil" have
their origin in God: Isa 45:7; Amo 3:6.
IN ALL THIS, JOB DID NOT SIN IN WHAT HE SAID: "It is
almost an instant reaction to any kind of suffering -- especially pain -- to
unthinkingly utter some sort of curse. As an engineer I hear it in the workshop
all the time when things go wrong. That seems to be the moment to automatically
blaspheme or swear. I think James said it well when he said that no man can tame
his tongue. It is a very small part of the body, but very unruly with
it!
"Job, however, was a different story. He appears to have been
in full control of his tongue even though his sufferings were so intense. He had
lost his family, friends and possessions and now his body was covered with
painful boils from head to foot. Instead of turning from God, he worshipped;
instead of cursing, he praised. He said, 'Shall we accept good from God and not
trouble?'
"Job appears to have had complete control over his whole
thoughts and word during his entire horrible ordeal. Job's heart was right with
God.
"Jesus said, 'Out of the overflow of his (a man's) heart his
mouth speaks.' Our mouths show what is in our hearts and sometimes that may
surprise us. Let us get our hearts right with God so that we can be more like
Job. If we can do that, then in all our trials and sufferings we will not sin in
what we say" (RP).
Job 2:11
ELIPHAZ THE TEMANITE: Teman is related to Edom (Gen
36:4,11; 1Ch 1:35,36,53; Jer 49:7,20; Eze 25:13; Amo 1:12; Oba 1:9; Hab 3:3).
The Temanites were noted for their "wisdom" (1Ki 4:30).
BILDAD THE SHUHITE: Prob of Shuah, the youngest son of
Abraham by Keturah (Gen 25:2).
ZOPHAR: Poss the Zepho or Zephi, the grandson of Esau
(Gen 36:11; 1Ch 1:36).
THE NAAMATHITE: Uncertain derivation. Prob an area east
of Jordan River.
THEY SET OUT FROM THEIR HOMES AND MET TOGETHER: Since
these 3 lived great distances from each other and great distances from Job,
there must have passed a considerable period of suffering for Job.
Job 2:12
"His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any man and
his form marred beyond human likeness" (Isa 52:14).