The Worst Possible Advice

A Heartbreaking Story

The Book of Job tells a difficult story which involves great loss and hardship, and the choice to trust in God no matter what. The calamities that befall Job after Satan is allowed by God to harm him are truly devastating. Job first loses his livestock, which were both his livelihood and his fortune. He then loses all of his children, which were his true treasure and hope for the future. He finally loses much of his health, left in a miserable and painful state covered in boils.

Terrible Advice

It is after all of this loss that Job’s wife, and likely the only surviving member of his family, advises Job with seeming bitterness: “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” (2:9). These words were meant to both mock Job’s attitude in regard to God (attacking his integrity), and to suggest that Job should simply give up both on God and on life. This was the absolute worst possible advice anyone could offer Job, including the later foolish advice of his friends.

Some suggest that these words were said by a woman who was devastated by grief, and this suggestion is logical as she lost her family and her fortune as well. However, emotional turmoil is never an excuse for sin, nor for encouraging sin. To react to such tragedy in an ungodly and ultimately unjust manner (blaming God for something Satan did) was exactly what Satan’s goal in this scenario. Satan believed that Job served and loved God because Job was blessed; take away the blessing and you take away the royalty. For Job’s wife, this seemed to be entirely true.

What Was Needed

At this juncture, Job was left feeling very alone and was in need of some comfort and counsel. What Job needed in his anguish was support from his spouse. What he received was bitterness and derision for his trust in God. What Job needed in his pain was some soothing of his wounds. What he received was encouragement to simply give up on life. What Job needed was some true words of comfort. What he received was the worst possible advice; the same advice Satan would whisper into his ear. Is it any wonder that Satan took away Job’s children, but did not take away his wife?