Who is Job from Dark Night of the Soul and what is their importance?

Job is a Biblical character who St. John quotes often in his descriptions of the inward agony felt by those going through the dark night of the spirit. In the story of Job, God allows the devil to persecute Job, who is an excellent example of a good person. The devil takes away Job's wealth, has Job's family killed and, ultimately, even Job's friends forsake him. The pain felt by Job in these tragic circumstances is much like that of the soul going through the dark night. Many of the utterances spoken by Job relate to the state of the soul in the midst of spiritual attack.