Bad Girls of the Bible

Job’s Wife: The Grief-

Stricken Mother

Job 1-2

Job’s Wife – a Family Targeted by Satan

– Job was targeted because of his faithfulness (Job 1:8-10)• It seemed that he lost everything (Job

1:13-21)• Oxen, donkeys stolen (Job 1:13-15)• Sheep burned up (Job 1:16-17)• Camels stolen (Job 1:17)• Servants killed (Job 1:15-17)• Sons and daughters destroyed in tornado

(Job 1:18-19)– In all his adversity, Job did not sin, nor

charge God with wrong (Job 1:22)– But all of the things that happened to Job

also happened to his wife…

Job’s Wife – a Family Targeted by Satan

– Satan took much from Job, but did not take his wife (Job 2:9)

– God promises He will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we are able to bear (I Cor 10:13)• This verse is so often misquoted and

misused.• Job is a superb example (Job 1:22, 2:10)

– Job shouldered the burden of his trials with grace, but his wife was a different story altogether.

Job’s Wife – Handling Grief in the Right Way

– We are emotional creatures, and God made us this way

– We must take care that our expression of emotion is not a springboard to sinful actions • Job 2:10 – “Curse God and die.”• Psalm 4:4, Eph 4:26 – “Be angry, and do

not sin.”– What are some ways that we handle grief?

Job’s Wife – Some Negative expressions of Grief

– Blame God (Job 2:10)– Use our grief as an excuse for bitterness (“I

am grieving, so nothing I say right now will be held against me.”)

– Turn inward, rather than focusing on others– Equate grief with love (If I stop grieving, it

will mean I didn’t love them)

Job’s Wife – Understanding Grief

– Grief is necessary (Matthew 5:4)– Even Jesus grieved (John 11:35)– Joseph understood that mourning takes time

(Gen 50:3)– Turn inward, rather than focusing on others,

wallowing in self-pity (Matthew 6:34)– Understand the stages• Shock, or numbness• Depression (foregoing activity, focus

inward, guilt)• Anger and anxiety• Acceptance (healing begins)

Job’s Wife – Helping Others through Grief

– Be there (Rom 12:15, John 11:33-36)– Use your own previous grief as a

learning experience for helping others (2 Cor 1:4)

– Share the comfort of God• 2 Cor 1:3-4• Romans 15:4• Rev 21:4• Joshua 1:5