Job’s Wife
Category: Failure of loyalty & faith under suffering
Could endure: Stand by Job, trust God amid suffering.
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10)
Cross-Refs: James 1:12; Habakkuk 3:17–18.
Chose wrongly: Urged Job to curse God and give up.
“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’” (Job 2:9)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 19:13; Micah 7:6.
Endured (negatively): Became a voice of despair, not encouragement.
“In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:10)
Cross-Refs: James 5:11; Proverbs 31:26.
Why (wrong motive): Overwhelmed by grief and hopelessness.
“Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)
Cross-Refs: Psalm 37:8; Ecclesiastes 7:9.
Result: Her words contrast Job’s endurance, showing the danger of faithless counsel.
“In all this, Job did not sin.” (Job 2:10)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 14:1; 1 Corinthians 15:58.
Job’s Friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar)
Category: Failure of compassion & truth
Could endure: Comfort Job with compassion, speak truth about God.
“Mourn with those who mourn.” (Romans 12:15)
Cross-Refs: Galatians 6:2; 2 Corinthians 1:3–4.
Chose wrongly: Misrepresented God, accused Job falsely.
“You are truly wicked; your sins are endless.” (Job 22:5)
Cross-Refs: Job 4:7–8; John 9:2–3.
Endured (negatively): Rebuked by God for folly.
“I am angry with you and your two friends because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” (Job 42:7)
Cross-Refs: Deuteronomy 18:20; James 3:1.
Why (wrong motive): Pride, rigid theology, lack of empathy.
“When Job’s three friends… heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out… to go and sympathize with him.” (Job 2:11, but later turned against him).
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 18:2; Matthew 7:1–2.
Result: Required Job’s prayer to be forgiven.
“My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly.” (Job 42:8)
Cross-Refs: 1 Samuel 12:23; James 5:16.
Elihu (Partial Negative Example)
Category: Failure of humility in youth
Could endure: Wait humbly and speak wisely in due time.
“Let your conversation be always full of grace.” (Colossians 4:6)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 17:27; James 1:19.
Chose wrongly: Spoke arrogantly at length, claiming more wisdom than others.
“Elihu… burned with anger… He was very angry with Job… and with the three friends.” (Job 32:2–3)
Cross-Refs: Job 33:3; Ecclesiastes 5:2.
Endured (negatively): Overlooked when God finally spoke; words fade into background.
“Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm.” (Job 38:1)
Cross-Refs: 1 Corinthians 1:25; Romans 3:4.
Why (wrong motive): Zeal without full understanding.
“I am full of words, and the spirit within me compels me.” (Job 32:18)
Cross-Refs: Proverbs 29:20; James 3:1.
Result: Not directly rebuked, but overshadowed by God’s final word.
“Who is this that obscures my plans with words without knowledge?” (Job 38:2)
Cross-Refs: Job 42:3; 1 Corinthians 3:19.