Introduction (1:1-5) – The story of Job, a righteous and godly man, is the focus of the book of Job. As the story begins, Job lives in the land of Uz with great wealth and many God-given blessings: 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she-asses, 7 sons, and 3 daughters.

Job’s Tribulations (1:6-2:10) – God takes note of Job, who is the most righteous man on earth, and points him out to Satan. The devil immediately declares that Job serves God only for blessings. In order to disprove Satan, God allows the tempter to remove nearly all of Job’s blessings. Satan destroys Job’s oxen, asses, sheep, servants, camels, sons, and daughters. Job does not sin, but rather blesses God, stating “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21). Satan then requests and receives permission to destroy Job’s physical health, and Job breaks out with painful sores that cover his body. Job’s wife tells him to curse God and die, but Job refuses to sin.

Job and his Three Friends (2:11-31:40) – Hearing of Job’s trials, three friends (Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar) come to comfort Job. However, after seven days of stunned silence they begin to accuse him of wickedness. Job’s friends suppose that godliness always results in physical blessing. Since Job is not physically blessed, he must not be godly. Through 17 speeches Job’s friends try to convince Job that he is wicked while Job steadfastly maintains that he is innocent and his suffering is undeserved. In addition, Job questions God as to why he is suffering.

Elihu’s Speech (32:1-37:24) – When Job and his three friends end their discussion, a young man by the name of Elihu enters the scene. Arguing that Job is guilty and wicked, he presses his thoughts across for six solid chapters.

The Lord Speaks (38:1-42:6) – After Elihu concludes his criticism, the Lord speaks to Job from out of a whirlwind. God interrogates Job with multitudes of questions, asking Job about creation, the heavens, the beasts of the field, Leviathon, and Behemoth. While being bombarded with impossible questions, Job realizes that God’s wisdom is immeasurable. Job sees that he should trust God and not ask why.

Conclusion (42:7-17) – In the conclusion of the book, the Lord orders Job’s three friends to go to Job and ask Job to sacrifice for them. The Lord then accepts Job and blesses him with twice as much as he had in the beginning: 14,000 sheep, 6000 camels, 1000 yoke of oxen, 1000 she-asses, 7 sons, and 3 daughters. After this Job lives a long and prosperous life.