Job's Wife

Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ.  Have you ever thought of the Lord as a someone with a sense of humor?  I have, plenty of times, but it was Beth Moore (Living Proof & Lifeway Bible teacher) who really brought those ideas to light.  If you haven't studied with Beth Moore, I very highly recommend that you do, whether you are male or female.  Beth is a "woman's" Bible teacher but, really, that has more to do with her ministry connections and not her actual teaching.  I've been in weekly church studies where men have sat in because she is an outstanding witness and teacher of the Lord Jesus Christ.  She, after all, is our sister and we should support one another, right?  I've included a link to one of her many ministries but you will be most blessed if you can get to a Beth Moore Bible study group at a church or purchase the leader DVD set and create a Bible study at your home.  That's what I intend to do once we are finished remodeling the house.  :)  http://www.lproof.org/

By the way, the Lord has blessed me with a very Godly husband and we keep each other in check just like Job and his wife.  Speaking of Job, I've been studying the Explore the Bible Personal Study and did you know that Job's wife is only mentioned one time during his whole ordeal (see Job 2:9)?  She comes on scene after he breaks out in head-to-toe sores (2:7) and tries scraping the scabs away with pottery shards (2:8).  The study guide points out something that I've never thought about (I'll write below) and I've read the book of Job too many times to count because of all the times I've felt as if I've gone through my own "Job moments" and needed comfort knowing that God never leaves me in my worst of trials.

Anyway, back to the wife; except for the physical pain that her husband suffers, we must assume that she suffers intense emotional pain at the loss of her children.  In fact, I'm going to go out on a limb and propose that she may agonize the death of her children (1:18,19) to the point it almost sends her over the proverbial edge.  What mother wouldn't come unravelled over the loss of one child let alone all 10 children, simultaneously?  And, although she loses all of her wealth (1:2,3; 14-17), like her husband, the material things are probably not that important to her.  What, rather, whom she has left is her husband; her lifelong partner.

So let's recap: out of nowhere, Job and his wife lose their wealth, livelihood, family, and Job's health; suddenly, Job's wife probably thinks her husband is about to die as well.  Knowing this, she says to him "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" (2:9 NIV).  In a way, that statement would make sense in that day and age because she knows that he is suffering and my study bible says that she wants him to "provoke God to administer the final stroke due to all who curse him" (Leviticus 24:10-16).  At the same time, she recognizes his integrity.  I think this is important.  She still holds fast to her husband's honor and presence as a man of God.  Never does she belittle him or cause him to suffer more.

Job replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman.  Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"  In all this, Job did not sin in what he said." (Job 2:10).  So Job reprimands his wife but does not belittle her, either. Nor does he cause additional suffering on her part.  In addition, he points out that God provides good things and at other times he allows trials.  He reminds her of God's sovereignty and helps her to remember that she can cling to Him always. Job understands that concept.  In my experience, the more perseverance marathons I run the more conditioned I become.  That is not to say that I become desensitised to trials.  Oh, let me tell you about my recent air-conditioning problem (another time)!  lol  However, all it means is that I am drawn closer to God during those unhappy moments in my life; as a result, I remain closer to him during the happy moments.  He wants us to run to Him.  Always.  No matter what.

By the way, this part of the verse: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10 silences the accuser aka Satan.  No longer is he heard from again in the book of Job.  Job's wife plays a very important role in his life, do you agree?  Can you think of other times in the bible that the accuser is silenced?  If so, please post a reply.

Have a wonderful day!