This is a simplified version of the Bible story found in Job 1:1-2:13, written for children to understand. For the original version, please refer to the Bible passage.
Once upon a time, there was a man named Job who lived in a place called Uz. Job was a very good man who loved God and stayed away from doing bad things. He had seven sons and three daughters, and he was very rich. He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and many servants. Job’s children loved to have parties and eat and drink together. When the parties were over, Job would pray and offer sacrifices to God because he was worried that his children might have sinned.
One day, the angels came to present themselves before God, and Satan came with them. God asked Satan where he had been, and Satan replied that he had been roaming around the earth. God then asked Satan if he had considered his servant Job, who was a blameless and upright man who loved God and stayed away from doing bad things.
Satan replied, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Haven’t you put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”
God then told Satan that he could do whatever he wanted to Job’s possessions, but he was not allowed to hurt Job himself. Satan then went out and caused many terrible things to happen to Job.
First, the Sabeans attacked and stole all of Job’s oxen and donkeys while his servants were tending to them. Then, while another servant was telling Job about the attack, another messenger came and reported that lightning had struck and killed all of his sheep, along with the servants tending to them. Then, while that servant was still speaking, a third messenger came and reported that the Chaldeans had raided and stolen all of Job’s camels and killed their servants.
Finally, the worst news of all came. While all of Job’s children were gathered at their oldest brother’s house, a strong wind came and knocked down the walls of the house, killing all of Job’s children. This was a terrible tragedy for Job and his family, but even in his grief, Job still loved and trusted God, and he remained faithful to Him.
Job said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Later, Satan asked God if he could make Job sick, and God allowed it. Job got very sick, and his skin was covered with painful sores. Even then, he still loved and trusted God. His wife told him to curse God and die, but Job did not listen to her. Three of Job’s friends came to visit him, and they sat with him and no one spoke a word to him for seven days and seven nights for they saw that his suffering was very great.
Biblical Lessons
- God is always with us, even during hard times.
- We should always trust in God, even when bad things happen.
- Sometimes bad things happen to good people, but it doesn’t mean that God doesn’t love them.
- It’s important to have good friends who will support and comfort us during difficult times.
- God will always reward us for our faithfulness.