Job— Blessing through Suffering
06.15.22
But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
The book’s title is taken from its main character. Job may have written the book, though we cannot be certain. Other portions of Scripture verify that he was an real person (Ezekiel 14:14, 20; James 5:11). He experienced extreme suffering, and struggled with the question of ‘why’.
The events of the book likely occurred during the patriarchal period, around the time of Abraham. Several factors help us to determine this, including that there is no mention of the nation of Israel or of the Mosaic Law. It is possible that Job was one of the sons of Issachar (Genesis 46:13). It is most likely not only the oldest book in the OT, but the oldest book in the world!
Another verse that could serve as a key verse would be (13:15a): Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him. What an expression of faith in the Living God!
The book deals with the theoretical problem of pain and disaster in the life of the godly. It undertakes to answer the question: ‘Why do the righteous suffer?’
Job experienced unspeakable troubles. His friends strove to comfort him. However, they all falsely assumed that Job was suffering because of some secret sin. None of these men had the facts— there was a spiritual battle being waged by Satan behind the scenes.
In the first two chapters, we find Job’s character described. God refers to him as his ‘upright servant.’ However, the LORD allows Satan to torment Job in various ways, the Devil hoping that he will curse God. Three men come to Job in an effort to comfort him.
The next twenty-nine chapters present Job’s conversations with these men. As someone has put it, “they came to sympathize, but they stayed to sermonize.”
Over the next six chapters, another friends gives it a try. He comes closer to the truth than the others. He accepted Job’s innocence but charged him with a wrong attitude. His claim is that since Job knew that he had not sinned grievously, he accused God of injustice. This friend urged Job to humble himself before God, wait upon Him and trust in Him.
While all that was good advice, it was problematic in two ways. First, he thought himself to be the great mediator for whom Job longed. Second, he knew no more about the reason for Job’s suffering than Job did.
Finally, the Creator spoke in the next four chapters. He came out of a whirlwind. He asked Job several questions about the natural world that He had made, none of which Job could answer. If Job could not understand God’s rule of the natural world, how could he understand His rule in the spiritual realm? It is almost as though God was having a wrestling match with Job, akin to the angel wrestling with Jacob. God demonstrated His power and man’s frailty.
In the final chapter Job humbled himself before his Creator. God rebuked the false comforters. Job was restored to his former state and given great reward.
Do we ever get the answer to the question as to why Job is suffering? This we will plan to take up next time.