"DON'T TALK LIKE A FOOL!" Job 2:9 (CEV). he snapped at his wife. This doesn't sound much like a patient man. Yet Job, the Biblical character known for his forbearance, often reacted in this way.
So is it simply a common misunderstanding that Job was longsuffering? No. It's just that Job's patience, which he faithfully expressed toward God, often roused his impatience with those who tried to make him blame God for his misfortunes. When Job lashed out against his wife, for example, it was clearly because she had urged her husband to give up his unwavering loyalty to God now that he had lost all his earthly possessions. But Job's steadfastness strengthened his view of God as the only provider, and thus enabled him to reclaim his financial foothold, including a security that far surpassed his previous prosperity.
For his material substance, Job had been touted as "the most influential man in all the East!" Job 1:3, Scripture taken from THE MESSAGE. Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. From the beginning, though, Job's wealth of possessions was accompanied by a great supply of wisdom and piety. But was he pious because he was prosperous? One accuser thought so.
