So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and infected Job with terrible boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. So Satan went out from the presence of the LORDThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the narrative, where Satan, the adversary, departs from the divine council. The Hebrew word for "Satan" is "שָׂטָן" (satan), meaning "adversary" or "accuser." In the context of Job, Satan functions as the accuser of Job's faithfulness. The phrase "from the presence of the LORD" indicates a departure from the heavenly court, emphasizing the sovereignty and authority of God. This setting underscores the belief that nothing occurs outside of God's knowledge and permission, reinforcing the theme of divine sovereignty and the testing of faith. and afflicted Job with terrible boils
The Hebrew word for "afflicted" is "נָגַע" (naga), which means to strike or touch. This indicates a direct and personal attack on Job's physical body, highlighting the severity of his suffering. The "terrible boils" are described with the Hebrew word "שְׁחִין" (shechin), which refers to painful, inflamed sores. Historically, such afflictions were seen as a sign of divine judgment or severe trial. This physical suffering serves as a tangible manifestation of Job's trial, testing his faith and integrity. The severity of the boils, covering Job from head to toe, symbolizes the totality of his suffering and the depth of his trial. from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head
This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of Job's affliction. The "soles of his feet" to the "crown of his head" indicates that no part of Job's body was spared, symbolizing the completeness of his suffering. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such a condition would render Job ritually unclean and socially isolated, compounding his physical pain with emotional and spiritual distress. This total affliction serves to highlight Job's endurance and faith, as he remains steadfast despite overwhelming suffering. The phrase underscores the theme of undeserved suffering and the testing of righteous individuals, inviting readers to reflect on the nature of faith and perseverance in the face of inexplicable trials. Persons / Places / Events 1. JobA man described as blameless and upright, who fears God and shuns evil. He is the central figure in the Book of Job, known for his immense suffering and steadfast faith. 2. SatanThe adversary who challenges Job's integrity, suggesting that Job's faithfulness is due to his prosperity. In this verse, Satan is the one who inflicts physical suffering upon Job. 3. The LORDGod, who allows Satan to test Job's faith but sets limits on the extent of the harm Satan can inflict. 4. BoilsPainful sores that cover Job's body, symbolizing intense physical suffering and a test of his faith. 5. Presence of the LORDThe divine council where Satan presents himself before God, indicating a heavenly setting where decisions about Job's testing are made. Teaching Points The Reality of Spiritual WarfareJob's suffering is a result of spiritual warfare, reminding believers that their struggles may have spiritual dimensions beyond what is visible. God's Sovereignty and LimitsGod allows Satan to test Job but sets boundaries, illustrating that God remains in control even in our trials. Endurance in SufferingJob's response to his affliction teaches the importance of maintaining faith and integrity despite severe trials. Compassion for the SufferingJob's physical and emotional pain calls believers to show empathy and support for those enduring hardships. Faith Beyond ProsperityJob's account challenges the notion that faithfulness is contingent on material blessings, encouraging a deeper, unconditional trust in God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Job's response to his suffering challenge or inspire your own approach to trials in life? 2. In what ways can understanding the spiritual dimension of suffering, as seen in Job's account, change your perspective on personal hardships? 3. How does the concept of God's sovereignty and the limits He sets on trials provide comfort in times of suffering? 4. What practical steps can you take to support someone who is experiencing intense physical or emotional pain, as Job did? 5. How can Job's perseverance and faithfulness encourage you to remain steadfast in your own faith journey, especially when facing adversity? Connections to Other Scriptures James 5:11This verse references the perseverance of Job, highlighting his endurance and the ultimate compassion and mercy of the Lord. 1 Peter 5:8-9These verses warn believers to be vigilant against the devil, who seeks to devour, and encourage steadfastness in faith, similar to Job's experience. Exodus 9:9-11The plague of boils in Egypt serves as a parallel to Job's affliction, demonstrating God's control over physical ailments and their use as a test or judgment. People Bildad, Eliphaz, Job, ZopharPlaces UzTopics Adversary, Afflicted, Boils, Botch, Covering, Crown, Disease, Evil, Foot, Forth, Grievous, Job, Loathsome, Painful, Presence, Satan, Skin, Smiteth, Smote, Sole, Soles, Sore, Sores, Struck, UlcerDictionary of Bible Themes Job 2:7 5136 body
5157 head
5297 disease
8027 faith, testing of
8483 spiritual warfare, causes Job 2:1-7 4121 Satan, enemy of God Job 2:6-7 4124 Satan, kingdom of
5436 pain
8795 persecution, nature of Job 2:7-10 6705 peace, experience Library February 24 Evening
Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?--JOB 2:10. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.--O Lord, thou art our father, we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand.--It is the Lord: let him do what seemeth him good. Righteous art thou, O Lord, when I plead with thee: yet let me talk with thee of thy judgments. He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.--Whom the Lord loveth …
Anonymous—Daily Light on the Daily PathResignation.
"What! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil?"--Job 2:10. "Ich hab' in guten Stunden." [50]Christian Furchtegott Gellert. transl., Sarah Findlater, 1855 I have had my days of blessing, All the joys of life possessing, Unnumber'd they appear! Then let faith and patience cheer me, Now that trials gather near me: Where is life without a tear? Yes, O Lord, a sinner looking O'er the sins Thou art rebuking, Must own Thy judgments light. Surely I, so oft offending, Must …
Jane Borthwick—Hymns from the Land of Luther It is Indeed a Greater Fight of Patience...
9. It is indeed a greater fight of patience, when it is not a visible enemy that by persecution and rage would urge us into crime which enemy may openly and in broad day be by not consenting overcome; but the devil himself, (he who doth likewise by means of the children of infidelity, as by his vessels, persecute the children of light) doth by himself hiddenly attack us, by his rage putting us on to do or say something against God. As such had holy Job experience of him, by both temptations vexed, …
St. Augustine—On Patience Whether Death is Essential to Martyrdom?
Objection 1: It seems that death is not essential to martyrdom. For Jerome says in a sermon on the Assumption (Epist. ad Paul. et Eustoch.): "I should say rightly that the Mother of God was both virgin and martyr, although she ended her days in peace": and Gregory says (Hom. iii in Evang.): "Although persecution has ceased to offer the opportunity, yet the peace we enjoy is not without its martyrdom, since even if we no longer yield the life of the body to the sword, yet do we slay fleshly desires …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Jesus, My Rock.
When the storm and the tempest are raging around me, Oh! where shall I flee to be safe from their shock? There are walls which no mortal hands built to surround me, A Refuge Eternal,--'Tis JESUS MY ROCK! When my heart is all sorrow, and trials aggrieve me, To whom can I safely my secrets unlock? No bosom (save one) has the power to relieve me, The bosom which bled for me, JESUS MY ROCK! When Life's gloomy curtain, at last, shall close o'er me, And the chill hand of death unexpectedly knock, I will …
John Ross Macduff—The Cities of Refuge: or, The Name of Jesus Illness and Patience of the Saint. The Story of a Priest whom She Rescued from a Life of Sin.
1. I forgot to say how, in the year of my novitiate, I suffered much uneasiness about things in themselves of no importance; but I was found fault with very often when I was blameless. I bore it painfully and with imperfection; however, I went through it all, because of the joy I had in being a nun. When they saw me seeking to be alone, and even weeping over my sins at times, they thought I was discontented, and said so. 2. All religious observances had an attraction for me, but I could not endure …
Teresa of Avila—The Life of St. Teresa of Jesus The Christian Described
HAPPINESS OF THE CHRISTIAN O HOW happy is he who is not only a visible, but also an invisible saint! He shall not be blotted out the book of God's eternal grace and mercy. DIGNITY OF THE CHRISTIAN There are a generation of men in the world, that count themselves men of the largest capacities, when yet the greatest of their desires lift themselves no higher than to things below. If they can with their net of craft and policy encompass a bulky lump of earth, Oh, what a treasure have they engrossed …
John Bunyan—The Riches of Bunyan Touching Jacob, However, that which He did at his Mother's Bidding...
24. Touching Jacob, however, that which he did at his mother's bidding, so as to seem to deceive his father, if with diligence and in faith it be attended to, is no lie, but a mystery. The which if we shall call lies, all parables also, and figures designed for the signifying of any things soever, which are not to be taken according to their proper meaning, but in them is one thing to be understood from another, shall be said to be lies: which be far from us altogether. For he who thinks this, may …
St. Augustine—Against Lying Of his Cross what Shall I Speak, what Say? this Extremest Kind of Death...
9. Of His cross what shall I speak, what say? This extremest kind of death He chose, that not any kind of death might make His Martyrs afraid. The doctrine He shewed in His life as Man, the example of patience He demonstrated in His Cross. There, you have the work, that He was crucified; example of the work, the Cross; reward of the work, Resurrection. He shewed us in the Cross what we ought to endure, He shewed in the Resurrection what we have to hope. Just like a consummate task-master in the matches …
St. Augustine—On the Creeds Jesus Defends Disciples who Pluck Grain on the Sabbath.
(Probably While on the Way from Jerusalem to Galilee.) ^A Matt. XII. 1-8; ^B Mark II. 23-28; ^C Luke VI. 1-5. ^b 23 And ^c 1 Now it came to pass ^a 1 At that season ^b that he ^a Jesus went { ^b was going} on the { ^c a} ^b sabbath day through the grainfields; ^a and his disciples were hungry and began ^b as they went, to pluck the ears. ^a and to eat, ^c and his disciples plucked the ears, and did eat, rubbing them in their hands. [This lesson fits in chronological order with the last, if the Bethesda …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel Elucidations.
I. (The Shepherd of Hermas, p. 85.) Here, and in chap. xx. below, Tertullian's rabid utterances against the Shepherd may be balanced by what he had said, less unreasonably, in his better mood. [999] Now he refers to the Shepherd's (ii. 1) [1000] view of pardon, even to adulterers. But surely it might be objected even more plausibly against "the Shepherd," whom he prefers, in common with all Christians, as see John viii. 1-11, which I take to be canonical Scripture. A curious question is suggested …
Tertullian—On Modesty Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Adam's Sin
Q-15: WHAT WAS THE SIN WHEREBY OUR FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED? A: That sin was eating the forbidden fruit. 'She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband.' Gen 3:3. Here is implied, 1. That our first parents fell from their estate of innocence. 2. The sin by which they fell, was eating the forbidden fruit. I. Our first parents fell from their glorious state of innocence. God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.' Eccl …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Consolations against Impatience in Sickness.
If in thy sickness by extremity of pain thou be driven to impatience, meditate-- 1. That thy sins have deserved the pains of hell; therefore thou mayest with greater patience endure these fatherly corrections. 2. That these are the scourges of thy heavenly Father, and the rod is in his hand. If thou didst suffer with reverence, being a child, the corrections of thy earthly parents, how much rather shouldst thou now subject thyself, being the child of God, to the chastisement of thy heavenly Father, …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Job
The book of Job is one of the great masterpieces of the world's literature, if not indeed the greatest. The author was a man of superb literary genius, and of rich, daring, and original mind. The problem with which he deals is one of inexhaustible interest, and his treatment of it is everywhere characterized by a psychological insight, an intellectual courage, and a fertility and brilliance of resource which are nothing less than astonishing. Opinion has been divided as to how the book should be …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Job 2:7 NIVJob 2:7 NLTJob 2:7 ESVJob 2:7 NASBJob 2:7 KJV
Job 2:7 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
