How long did Job suffer?
Question:
During our midweek services the question was asked; "How long did Job suffer?"
According to Job 2:13, it lasted for 7 days and 7 nights. But then I read Job 7:3 and the implication is months.
What are your thoughts?
Answer:
We don't know. Job 7:3 says, "So I have been allotted months of futility, and wearisome nights have been appointed to me." and Job 29:2 says, "Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me." Also Job 30:16 and Job 30:27 talks of the days of his affliction. Since he doesn't measure his suffering in terms of years, I think it reasonable to say it was less than a year, but more than two months.
Job 2:13 only states that when Job's three friends came that they sat with him for seven days and seven nights before trying to talk to him. It doesn't tell us that they came immediately when Job's sufferings began, so it can't be used as a conclusion as to how long they lasted.
