After Satan’s first temptation of Job, he again went and presented himself before God. God asked him to consider Job. Even though Satan had destroyed almost everything job had, even his children, Job still maintained his integrity and continued to serve God.
Satan was determined not to be defeated. Perhaps Job did not turn against God when his possessions and children were taken away, but Satan would take away his health and see what Job would do. “4And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. 5But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face.” (2:4,5)
But God had confidence in Job. He knew that, no matter what happened, Job would continue to trust in Him. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life.” (2:6) God gave Satan permission to do anything we wanted to Job as long as he saved Job’s life. “7So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. 8And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.” (2:7.8)
There are few skin conditions more painful and more repulsive than boils. Just one or two boils can cause considerable pain. Boils are also filled with infection and burst open and drain. Frequently, infection from the boils causes a person to experience generalized sickness as well as localized pain. Job was afflicted with very bad boils from the top of his head to the bottom of his feet. There was not one position Job could find to relieve the pressure and reduce his pain. He scraped the boils with a piece of pottery to remove some of the infection. Then he sat down among the ashes. Job was suffering incredible pain, and he was completely miserable. There was nothing he could do to relieve his discomfort. In spite of this, Job maintained his trust in God and did not speak against Him at any time.