We now get another glimpse into heaven. The words are almost identical to those in 1:6-8. Note that verse 3 says "though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason". Now how does that fit into our picture of God? We need to be aware always that there are things about God's plans and ways that are far beyond our understanding. If ever we think we have God in a box (theological or otherwise) we are mistaken. Now the end of all this is that everything works out for good. The point that the writer is making from verse 3 is that Job has shown that God's assessment of him is accurate, he is a righteous man (not perfect, but God-fearing) and that Satan's motives are always duplicitous.
Satan replies that it is only because Job himself was not harmed that he has not sinned. Note again that God has a much higher view of humanity than Satan has. God gives Satan permission to attack Job himself, but not to kill him.
So Job is afflicted with painful sores all over his body. As an aside, this clearly demonstrates that all sickness is not a direct result of sin (ultimately all sickness can be traced back to the fall, but that is a different matter). Job was well regarded by God.
Job's wife urges Job to curse God and die. Actually the Hebrew says "bless God" and is used in a sarcastic manner, meaning curse God rather than actually bless Him, hence our English translations.
Job rejects his wife's advice. The word for foolish implies moral deficiency. So Job still did not sin.
Job's three friends then came along. They were horrified at what they saw. They could think of nothing to say so just sat with Job and mourned with him. This was a very wise course of action, but not one they would persist with for long. We always think we have to say something, but there are times when there is nothing to say and all that is required is that we just be with people in their suffering.
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