Brief Summary:
The book of Job opens with a scene in heaven where Satan comes to accuse Job before God. He insists Job only serves God because God protects him and seeks God’s permission to test Job’s faith and loyalty. God grants His permission, only within certain boundaries. Why do the righteous suffer? This is the question raised after Job loses his family, his wealth, and his health. Job’s three friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, come to “comfort” him and to discuss his crushing series of tragedies. They insist his suffering is punishment for sin in his life. Job, though, remains devoted to God through all of this and contends that his life has not been one of sin. A fourth man, Elihu, tells Job he needs to humble himself and submit to God’s use of trials to purify his life. Finally, Job questions God Himself and learns valuable lessons about the sovereignty of God and his need to totally trust in the Lord. Job is then restored to health, happiness, and prosperity beyond his earlier state.
For a more detailed explanations select the link below.
The Book of Job Summary
(Read Job 29:7-17)
All sorts of people paid respect to Job, not only for the dignity of his rank, but for his personal merit, his prudence, integrity, and good management. Happy the men who are blessed with such gifts as these! They have great opportunities of honouring God and doing good, but have great need to watch against pride. Happy the people who are blessed with such men! it is a token for good to them. Here we see what Job valued himself by, in the day of his prosperity. It was by his usefulness. He valued himself by the check he gave to the violence of proud and evil men. Good magistrates must thus be a restraint to evil-doers, and protect the innocent; in order to this, they should arm themselves with zeal and resolution. Such men are public blessings, and resemble Him who rescues poor sinners from Satan. How many who were ready to perish, now are blessing Him! But who can show forth His praises? May we trust in His mercy, and seek to imitate His truth, justice, and love.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 29 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 29:12
Because I delivered the poor who cried, and the fatherless also, who had no one to help him,
(Read Job 30:1-14)
Job contrasts his present condition with his former honour and authority. What little cause have men to be ambitious or proud of that which may be so easily lost, and what little confidence is to be put in it! We should not be cast down if we are despised, reviled, and hated by wicked men. We should look to Jesus, who endured the contradiction of sinners.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 30 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 30:1
“But now those who are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I considered unworthy to put with my sheep dogs.
(Read Job 31:33-40)
Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall not prosper, 1 John 1:8. Let us all judge ourselves; wherein we are guilty, let us seek forgiveness in that blood which cleanseth from all sin; and may the Lord have mercy upon us, and write his laws in our hearts!
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 31 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 31:35
oh that I had one to hear me! Behold, here is my signature! Let the Almighty answer me! Let the accuser write my indictment!
(Read Job 31:33-40)
Job clears himself from the charge of hypocrisy. We are loth to confess our faults, willing to excuse them, and to lay the blame upon others. But he that thus covers his sins, shall not prosper, 1 John 1:8. Let us all judge ourselves; wherein we are guilty, let us seek forgiveness in that blood which cleanseth from all sin; and may the Lord have mercy upon us, and write his laws in our hearts!
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 31 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 31:37
I would declare to him the number of my steps. I would go near to him like a prince.
(Read Job 32:1-5)
Job’s friends were silenced, but not convinced. Others had been present. Elihu was justly displeased with Job, as more anxious to clear his own character than the justice and goodness of God. Elihu was displeased with Job’s friends because they had not been candid to Job. Seldom is a quarrel begun, more seldom is a quarrel carried on, in which there are not faults on both sides. Those that seek for truth, must not reject what is true and good on either side, nor approve or defend what is wrong.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 32 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 32:1
So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.
(Read Job 33:1-7)
Job had desired a judge to decide his appeal. Elihu was one according to his wish, a man like himself. If we would rightly convince men, it must be by reason, not by terror; by fair argument, not by a heavy hand.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 33 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 33:4
The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.
(Read Job 34:31-37)
When we reprove for what is amiss, we must direct to what is good. Job’s friends would have had him own himself a wicked man. Let will only oblige him to own that he spoke unadvisedly with his lips. Let us, in giving reproof, not make a matter worse than it is. Elihu directs Job to humble himself before God for his sins, and to accept the punishment. Also to pray to God to discover his sins to him. A good man is willing to know the worst of himself; particularly, under affliction, he desires to be told wherefore God contends with him. It is not enough to be sorry for our sins, but we must go and sin no more. And if we are affectionate children, we shall love to speak with our Father, and to tell him all our mind. Elihu reasons with Job concerning his discontent under affliction. We are ready to think every thing that concerns us should be just as we would have it; but it is not reasonable to expect this. Elihu asks whether there was not sin and folly in what Job said. God is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works, Psalm 145:17. The believer saith, Let my Saviour, my wise and loving Lord, choose every thing for me. I am sure that will be wisest, and the best for his glory and my good.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 34 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 34:36
I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.
(Read Job 35:9-13)
Job complained that God did not regard the cries of the oppressed against their oppressors. This he knew not how to reconcile the justice of God and his government. Elihu solves the difficulty. Men do not notice the mercies they enjoy in and under their afflictions, nor are thankful for them, therefore they cannot expect that God should deliver them out of affliction. He gives songs in the night; when our condition is dark and melancholy, there is that in God’s providence and promise, which is sufficient to support us, and to enable us even to rejoice in tribulation. When we only pore upon our afflictions, and neglect the consolations of God which are treasured up for us, it is just in God to reject our prayers. Even the things that will kill the body, cannot hurt the soul. If we cry to God for the removal of an affliction, and it is not removed, the reason is, not because the Lord’s hand is shortened, or his ear heavy; but because we are not sufficiently humbled.
For a more detailed summary select the link below.
Job 35 Bible Commentary – Matthew Henry (concise) (christianity.com)
Job 35:9
“By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.