Esther 10; Job 1-2: Job’s Tragedy

Thoughts

Esther 10

King Xerxes imposes a tax across his empire.

The king’s chronicles record all of Mordecai’s achievements and the authority he gained.

Mordecai rises from a gatekeeper to second in command. His deeds are recognized not just in Susa but throughout the Persian Empire. He works for the good of his people and speaks peace.

Job 1

Most evidence suggests Job lived during the Patriarchal period, around the same time as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (roughly 2000–1800 BC).
Here’s why:

• No mention of Israel, Moses, or the Law.
• Job acts as his own priest and offers sacrifices for his family himself 
• Wealth measured in livestock, not gold or silver.
• Long lifespan

On earth: Job lives in the land of Uz and is described as blameless, upright, fearing God, and shunning evil. He is wealthy and respected, with seven sons, three daughters, and vast possessions (livestock, servants, and land). Job regularly offers burnt offerings for his children after their feasts.

In heaven: The “sons of God” (heavenly beings) present themselves before the Lord, and the satan also appears.

• God points out Job’s faithfulness, but Satan questions Job’s motives, suggesting that Job only serves God because of His blessings.
• Satan challenges God: “Stretch out Your hand and strike all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.”
• God allows Satan to test Job’s faith by taking his possessions and children, but not his life.

Back to earth: Disaster strikes:

• Sabeans steal his oxen and donkeys.
• Fire from heaven burns his sheep and servants.
• Chaldeans raid his camels.
• A great wind collapses his eldest son’s house, killing all his children.
• Each messenger arrives before the previous one finishes.

Job grieves deeply. He tears his robe, shaves his head, and falls to the ground.

• “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (1:21)

Job 2

Back to heaven: the sons of God present themselves before the Lord, and Satan. God points out Job’s continued faithfulness despite all he has lost. The accuser insists Job’s loyalty is only because he has his own health. God allows him to afflict Job physically but forbids him from taking Job’s life.

Satan strikes Job with painful boils from head to foot. Job sits among ashes, scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery.

Job’s wife tells him to ‘curse God and die’. Job tells her she is acting foolish. 

Job has three friends: Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. They come to ‘comfort’ Job during his suffering.  When they see him, they hardly recognize him. They weep, tear their robes, and sit with him on the ground seven days and nights without speaking.

Questions

Are we 100% the accuser here is the Satan Satan?

When was Job written? And who wrote it?

Does Satan stroll in and out of the heavenly realm?

Why do his friends sit for 7 days?

Application

Job’s story begins as my deepest fear – losing everything that made life secure. But unlike how most Christians might respond, Job still praises God: “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” We know that suffering does not always mean punishment – there are spiritual forces at work that are unseen.  Even when we have no idea why we are suffering, we can trust God has an ultimate plan.  “Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”