Job, the titular character of the Old Testament book, is described as a faithful and righteous man, who is also blessed with a large family and wealth. The story turns to the heavens, where a being named “the accuser” (Job 1:6 NRSVUE) suggests to God that Job is faithful only because of his many blessings. God allows the accuser to destroy Job’s wealth, kill his children, and ruin his health to reveal the nature of Job’s faith.

Amidst this stark reversal of fortunes, Job maintains his faithfulness, despite his three friends’ — Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar — insistence that he must have sinned to have brought about such suffering. Eventually, God responds to Job’s lament from a whirlwind, reminding him of humanity’s inability to grasp God’s ways by cataloguing the vastness and wildness of Creation. However, God also praises Job for continuing to engage with God directly, as opposed to his friends’ theologizing (Job 42:7-8). The story ends with Job’s health and wealth restored, and he and his wife have more children.