February 11 Daily Devotional

When Your Loved One Becomes Bitter

Peter G. Feenstra

Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9)

Bible Reading

Leviticus 24:10–16

Devotional

Suffering and trials greatly strain our relationships, especially those dearest to us. The first human reaction to Job’s troubles comes from the woman who is closest to him: his wife. We shouldn’t forget that through this entire ordeal she has also experienced loss and sorrow. The dead children are hers as well. Besides losing her children, her husband has a terrible disease. Her whole world is falling apart!

Job’s wife confronts her husband as a broken and bitter woman. To see the woman he loved in these circumstances must have torn at Job’s heart. Nevertheless, the worst is still to come. His wife speaks in anger, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” She challenges Job to curse God and then accept the punishment of God’s law for cursing—death (Leviticus 24:10-16). Job’s wife is prepared to curse God because it seems useless to continue blessing the name of the Lord.

Does the reaction of Job’s wife mean she is not a child of God? Some Christian writers have painted a rather dark and bleak picture of her. We need to be careful, however, that we do not say more than the Bible does. There is no denying it, Job’s wife speaks the language of an unbeliever and at this moment is not reacting in faith. Yet who can say they have never said anything sinful and wrong? In times of great loss and frustration we can say things we later regret. It is a gift of God’s grace when we are not devoured by our own bitterness.

Keep in mind Satan is using Job’s wife as his instrument and mouthpiece. The devil’s treachery knows no limits. He comes via the one who is closest to Job. The devil is extremely subtle but very predictable too. In Paradise he used Eve to make Adam fall. If Adam fell, will Job stand? Undoubtedly, he longed for the companionship and moral support of his wife. The temptation was great to side with her.

The Lord gave His servant the strength to come through this intense trial. Let us pray that the Lord will give us courage to always put His will above the advice and opinions of our dearest friends and loved ones.

For further information about this resource, click here.