From the Elder's Pen "Job - The Man Who Endured" 4/20/03 Past/Future Articles

There has probably been no man that suffered as Job did.  Studying the book of Job, can give us added strength to help us endure our trials.  The following is an overview of his troubles and his steadfastness:

1. The Sabeans stole his 500 oxen and 500 donkeys, then they killed the servants that watched over them (1:15).
2. Fire consumed his 7,000 sheep and the servants that watched over them (1:16).
3. His 3,000 camels were taken by the Chaldeans, and then they killed his servants (1:17).
4. His seven sons and three daughters were killed when a great wind smote their house and caused it to cave in on top of them (1:19).
5. He was afflicted with boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet (2:7).
6. His wife was a great discouragement to him.  She told him to curse God and die (2:9).
7. His friends who were supposed to comfort him (2:11), did a miserable job (16:2), and actually spoke against him (16:4).
8. His community that had respected him (29:7-25), mocked him (12:4).
 
 Even though Job did not charge God foolishly at first (1:22), eventually he did make statements he did not understand (42:3), of which he repented in dust and ashes (42:6).
 Job’s life was a great example of steadfastness.  He shows us how we can both meet our trails head on and know that God will bless us if we remain true to Him (Job 42:1, James 5:11).
 Sure our path may be tough, but with the help of God, good Christian friends, and faithful endurance, we will come out victorious.
 “Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations; that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 1:6-7).