Job vs. Job's Wife
Job 2:7-10, “So Satan went out from the presence of
the Lord, and
struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of
his head.
And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he
sat in
the midst of the ashes. Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold
fast to
your integrity? Curse God and die!’ But he said to her, ‘You speak as
one of
the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and
shall
we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.”
The world we live in is filled with suffering. These situations are not new. In the Old Testament, Job had to face his fair share of suffering. In the first chapter, he faces financial hardship, family tragedy and a destroyed home and business. As if this were not enough, Job is struck with “painful boils” and faces a trial of health problems.
It is at this point in Job’s life that we read the text of Job 2:7-10. While the book mainly follows the life of Job, we must not forget that Job’s wife was also suffering in these trials. Yet, she handled the problems in a completely different way than her husband. It will benefit us to contrast the two characters of this husband and wife team.
In contrasting Job and his wife, the first difference we find is in their perspectives of God. As soon as hardships arise, Job’s wife places the blame on God. Truly, some believe that if their faith is in God He owes them physical blessings of prosperity. Yet, God’s Word never promises such in this life.
Jesus once told His apostles, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). Paul spoke of his love for God and how nothing “shall be able to separate us from the love of God…” (Romans 8:39). Earlier in the passage, Paul mentions some of the earthly problems that seemingly were causing Christians to give up on the faith. These included “tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril or sword” (8:35).
Job understands “good...and adversity” exist in this life (Job 2:10). He reasons later in the passage that physical blessings are not an outright indication of God’s favor. If so, why do wicked people often find financial and physical prosperity (see Job 21:7- 13)? Just as surely as good people suffer, evil people prosper. Neither situation should shake our faith in the Lord. As Jesus taught, “...He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45). Christians are promised spiritual blessings, yet not necessarily physical (Ephesians 1:7).
Second, there is a distinct difference in their friendship. One would hope their spouse would help sustain them during the trials of faith. Yet, Job’s wife’s response is “Curse God and die!” This is not quite the “friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
On the other hand, Job’s response to his wife is exemplary as a friend. He rebukes her incorrect thinking and offers a more balanced perspective. The writer of Proverbs says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend” (Proverbs 27:6). A good friend is willing to say what needs to be said, not just what others like. “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17).
Finally, the text reveals a contrast in perseverance. Some quit at the first sign of trouble, like Job’s wife. Others endure and find themselves doubly blessed (see Job 42:10-17). Like Job, may we conquer our temporary trials looking forward to our eternal home. With James say, “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord— that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (James 2:11).
November 2007