Job 2 Commentary
The key to unlocking the Book of Job is an understanding that it is actually the LORD who initiates the ‘trials’. Job has passed the first trial. The LORD is about to unleash the second trial. Back in the Garden of peace and tranquility, the serpent successfully managed to convince Adam and Eve that material things could come first before their relationship with the Creator God. The serpent also managed to distort their view of life with a lie.
In this chapter, the LORD reenters the ring with a capable contestant. Job has already won the battle against the serpents lie on material possessions. That was the message in chapter 1. The LORD would throw Job into the ring again. Today’s bout is about the serpent’s lie on life itself. Will Job win the battle? It is at this point that we begin to see the LORD Jesus Christ in this story. He is the second Adam who successfully defeated the serpent’s lies and ushered humanity on a path to full restoration.
“and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” Hebrews 2 verse 15.
Job enters the battle against this fear of death. His Master is buzzing with confidence that His servant Job will win the battle.
Let’s unwrap this battle a little further. Job is fast losing layers of existence around him. Chapter 1 saw Job lose the material world. Job will now lose the support and comfort of his family. That seems to be the essence of what Job’s wife is saying here. Job’s wife is the mouthpiece of Job’s world. She makes one key statement and disappears from the story. She doesn’t even bother to wait for Job’s answer. Probably because Job has 40 more chapters to reflect on and ponder the all-important statement.
Why is she urging Job to curse God? Could it be because she knows God is responsible for Job’s suffering? Or could it be that she feels Job’s righteousness has been all in vain? There is a tone of disappointment in the statement. Your God hasn’t helped you, so what is the point? The rest of the book will discuss these issues at length.
The parallel with Eve may be important. In the Garden of peace and tranquility, Eve managed to persuade Adam after believing the serpent’s lies. Will Job’s wife achieve the same results?
While chapter 1 looks at the value of material things in connection with man’s invaluable relationship with God, chapter 2 looks at the value of life itself, as we know it. Will man’s relationship with God still hold when life is threatened? Is there something more than the life we know?
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” John 11 verses 25 and 26.
Job has answered this question superbly! Let’s see what tomorrow brings in chapter 3.
More resources visit http://www.lovingscripture.com
LOVING SCRIPTURE 