1. A spiritually mature man (1:1, 8; 2:3)
JOB—NOTE ON 1:12 in your hand. God allowed Satan to test Job's faith by attacking "all that he has." With God's sovereign permission, Satan was allowed to move on Job, except that he could not attack Job physically.
JOB—NOTE ON 1:13–19 With four rapid-fire disasters, Satan destroyed or removed Job's livestock, servants, and children. Only the four messengers survived.
JOB—NOTE ON 1:15 Sabeans. Lit., "Sheba," part of Arabia. These people were terrorizing robbers, who had descended from Ham (Gen. 10:6–7) and/or Shem (Gen. 10:28).
JOB—NOTE ON 1:16 fire of God . . . heaven. This probably refers to severe lightning.
JOB—NOTE ON 1:17 Chaldeans. A semi-nomadic people of the Arabian desert, experienced in marauding and war (cf. Hab. 1:6–8).
JOB—NOTE ON 1:19 great wind. Most likely a tornado-type wind. Cf. Isa. 21:1 and Hos. 13:15.
JOB—NOTE ON 1:20–21 worshiped. He heard the other messages calmly, but on hearing about the death of his children, he expressed all the symbols of grief (cf. Gen. 37:34; Jer. 41:5; Mic. 1:16), but also worshiped God in the expression of Job 1:21. Instead of cursing, he blessed the name of Jehovah. Job's submissive response disproved the adversary's accusations (1:9–11). So far, Job was what God claimed him to be, a true believer with faith that cannot be broken (1:8).
JOB—NOTE ON 1:22 did not sin or charge God with wrong. Better, "sin by charging God with wrong." Hasty words against God in the midst of grief are foolish and wicked. Christians are to submit to trials and still worship God, not because they see the reasons for them, but because God wills them and has his own reasons, which believers are to trust.
Biographical Sketch of Job
Biographical Sketch of Job 1. A spiritually mature man (1:1, 8; 2:3) 2. Father of many children (1:2; 42:13)