In Job chapters 1-2, we read Job was a righteous man and enjoyed a blessed life. However, Satan believed Job was loyal to God only because of the rewards of faithfulness. God then allowed Satan to afflict Job with severe trials…to prove (or disprove) Job’s loyalty. 

During Job’s extended suffering, three of his friends believed Job was being punished for sinning. (Job 4-31) His wife even told him to curse God. (Job 2:9)  Job refused to curse God; yet he insisted that he had been righteous. He then attempted to justify himself by many righteous deeds. (Job 2-31)   

Job did not understand why he was suffering. He began to question God’s wisdom in allowing it.  Job 13:15, “… Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him.” He asked God for an explanation.

A fourth friend, Elihu (his name means: “God himself”) pointed out that we are not qualified to question the LORD. Job 33:13 “Why do you complain against Him, that He does not give an account of all His doings?” (Job 32-37)

Finally, God answered Job.

In chapters 38-41, God reminded Job of His majesty and great wisdom as seen in the grandeur of His creation. God then told Job to remember his place! Job 40:8 “Will you really annul my judgment? Will you condemn me that you may be justified?”

Job was humbled and repented. Job 42:2-6 (CSB), “I know that you can do anything and no plan of yours can be thwarted…Surely I spoke about things I did not understand, things too wondrous for me to know…I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees Thee…I repent in dust and ashes.”

Job now had a deeper understanding of God’s overall sovereignty.

In chapter 42:10, we see that God doubly restored Job’s good fortune after he prayed for his friends. “And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.”

Verses 12-16 list God’s blessings. These added blessings indicate God accepted Job’s change of heart. The most important change after Job which encountered God was He learned not to question God.

We consider Job’s experiences to picture the human family. Our troubles are allowed for a time to teach us lessons needed for our ultimate trust in Him. As children of God, we may not understand, but we must trust. Psalm 40:4 “How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust.”

Additional Resource:
Christian Questions Podcast 
Blog Post: Why did God allow Satan to harm Job?
Blog Post: Why did Job’s friends tear their clothes?