But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall
come forth as gold — Job 23:10
It is an ancient yet
ever-present problem: why is there pain and suffering in the world? Even more
troubling, why do the righteous suffer and the unrighteous prosper? Theologians,
philosophers, yes, everyday people have pondered this terrible reality.
All of us go through some
degree of suffering. Some have a ‘high pain’ tolerance and others don’t. But
for most people in the western world, no matter how intense the heat of suffering
may be, always remember that in other parts of the world, they suffer in a
manner we would know nothing about. Perspective is aways important.
More than one book of the
Bible deals with the topic of suffering. The New Testament epistle of I Peter
focuses on it. Yet no part of the Bible majors on this topic to the extent that
the Book of Job does. In a sense, this 42 chapter Bible book is one beautiful,
masterful poem that graces and inspires us with its words - God’s words - as we
ponder its timeless message.
Job, a wealthy, righteous man
goes through compounded, tragic, even horrific suffering all in a short period of time. His lost wealth is
replaceable, but his lost children were not. His friends come to comfort him
and what ensues is an extended dialogue between them and Job. Eventually, the
Lord comes into the picture and His powerful words shed light on this sobering
subject.
HEBREW NAME
Iyyob which can mean
‘persecuted one.’
AUTHOR
We do not know who the author of Job is. What we do
know is that Job came from the ‘Land of Uz,’ which is near Midian. Job very
well could have been a Gentile who lived in the time of the patriarchs or
later. Moses may have known about him and Elihu, but that does not mean he is
the author.
PORTRAIT OF CHRIST
Jesus Christ is known as the ‘Daysman’ (9:33) and
the living, visible redeemer (19:25).
THEME OF JOB
God is God in the good times and the bad. He is
sovereign over every situation, including suffering, and redeems the righteous
out of it all.
Pain, faith, and the role of Satan are held in the
spotlight.
KEY VERSES IN JOB
Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine
own ways before him — Job 13:15
Touching the Almighty, we cannot find him out: he is excellent in
power, and in judgment, and in plenty of justice: he will not afflict. 24Men
do therefore fear him: he respecteth not any that are wise of heart — Job 37:23-24
SUMMARY OF JOB
The Book of Job begins with an
eye-opening dialogue between Almighty God and Satan in heaven (yes, apparently
Satan has visiting rights in heaven, though he will lose them when cast to the
earth in Revelation 12:9). God commends Job as His upright servant who fears
Him and hates evil. Satan says that God’s hedge around Job keeps him faithful
but if that hedge is removed and Job suffers, he will curse God to his face.
God does not believe this lie yet gives Satan permission to test Job, knowing
he will remain faithful. So Satan’s attack results in Job losing livestock,
servants, and his 10 children, virtually on the same day. Yet Job did not sin.
The second conversation
between God and Satan is that Job is commended for his faithfulness. Satan says
that if he was physically afflicted, Job would turn against God. Again, God
gives Satan permission to touch him physically but to spare his life. He is
struck with boils from head to toe. He refused to sin with his lips.
Job’s wife is not exactly
helpful or encouraging: She asks him how long will he hold onto his integrity?
Then she tells him to ‘curse God and die.’ Before we are too hard on Mrs. Job,
remember that she had just lost her 10 children. When Job’s blessings are
restored, she will benefit, too.
His three friends come to ‘comfort’
him. They sat in silence for one solid week before speaking. Their names were
Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Once the week was over and the talking began, there
was three debates. His friends say his suffering must be due to his sin (as if
the righteous don’t suffer). He says he is being judged and God will vindicate
him.
Job also complains that God
does not hear him (13:3, 24), is punishing him (7:4), and allows the wicked to
prosper (21:7). For 5 chapters Job does all the talking (27-31).
Elihu, though young, brings a
mature perspective and strong rebuke. He reproves Job for justifying himself
while correcting the 3 friends for condemning Job but having no answer
themselves.
Finally, God Himself speaks to
Job from the whirlwind (chapters 38-42). He speaks of his mighty power in
creation, how as Sovereign he can control the uncontrollable. If Job can’t
decipher God’s creative ways and acts, how can he possibly make sense of
suffering - his and others.
Some important principles to
remember in the face of suffering:
1)
Commit
yourself to God;
2)
Trust
God with all your heart, whether it makes sense or not;
3)
Have
confidence that God will bring good to your life; righteousness truly has a
sure reward.
4)
Suffering
is a reality in a fallen world; sometimes due to one’s sin, sometimes due to
one’s righteousness. The righteous must remain so and God will turn it around
for their good. The sinner must repent, learn the lessons, obey the commands,
and get right with God and others.
5)
Satan
is a reality and this explains much about the reason for suffering. His rampage
will not last forever and he will be thoroughly and irreversibly judged.
Yes, the good guys do triumph in the end.
End result: Job’s lost possessions are restored,
including 10 more children. His 3 friends receive prayer due to their
insensitive words. Young Elihu is not rebuked at all.
Outline of Job
I.
Dialogue
between God and Satan; Job’s sufferings begin (1-2)
II.
Dialogue between Job and his friends (3-37)
III. God
speaks to Job and restores his fortunes (38-42)
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