Study Desk

For Mordecai the Jew was second in power only to King Ahasuerus and great among the Jews. He found favor in the eyes of his people. He worked for the good of his people and spoke for the well-being of all the Jews.

His sons used to go and make a special supper in each one's house on a special day. And they would send for their three sisters to eat and drink with them.

When the days of their special supper were over, Job would get up early in the morning and send for them. Then he would give burnt gifts for each of them so that they would be pure. For Job said, "It might be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Job always did this.

The Lord said to Satan, "Have you thought about My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth. He is without blame, a man who is right and good. He honors God with fear and turns away from sin."

Then Satan answered the Lord, "Does Job fear God for nothing?

But put out Your hand now and touch all that he has. And for sure he will curse You to Your face."

The Lord said to Satan, "Have you thought about My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth. He is without blame, a man who is right and good. He fears God and turns away from sin. He still holds to his good ways, even when I allowed you to go against him, and to destroy him for no reason."

Satan answered the Lord and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life.

Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very bad.

May that day be darkness. May God above not care for it. May light not shine on it.

Let darkness and a heavy shadow take it for their own. Let a cloud come upon it. Let the darkness of the day bring fear upon it.

As for that night, let darkness take hold of it. Let it not have joy among the days of the year. Let it not come into the number of months.

Let the early morning stars be made dark. Let it wait for light but have none. Do not let it see the light of day.

For now I would have lain down and been quiet. I would have slept then. I would have been at rest,

with kings and wise men of the earth who built cities for themselves that are now destroyed.

They wait for death, but there is none. They dig for it more than for hidden riches.

For I cry inside myself in front of my food. My cries pour out like water.

For suffering does not come from the dust. Trouble does not grow out of the ground.

"But as for me, I would look to God. I would put my troubles before God.

He does great things, too great for us to understand. He does too many wonderful things for us to number.